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How to store vegetables and fruits to keep them fresh longer in the refrigerator is a common concern for many homemakers. This Mytour article suggests clever storage tips to keep your food fresh and vibrant in the fridge.
Various Herbs
The simplest way to store herbs in the refrigerator is to completely drain the water from the leaves, then trim the stems and place them together in a cup or jar. Store them in the refrigerator, and almost all herbs will stay fresh for about two weeks using this method (except for basil, as it prefers room temperature). Note: If you notice the water in the cup or jar becoming cloudy, discard it and replace it with fresh water.
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Extending the Shelf Life of Various Herbs by Placing Them in a Water Cup
Celery, while a herb, can produce ethylene, a gas that accelerates decay and ripening in other vegetables. To preserve celery longer, tightly wrap it in aluminum foil or pre-cut it into segments and soak it in water in an airtight container.
Carrots and Parsnips
Similar to celery, carrots and parsnips can also emit ethylene, so avoid storing them in plastic bags. Instead, cut them into sections and soak them in water in an airtight container. Another method for preserving parsnips is to tie them with rubber bands into bundles, cutting off the fibrous base. Then, place them in a cup or jar with water, ensuring the water level is about 2.5cm high.
Preserve carrots by submerging them in a tightly sealed water-filled jar
Cucumbers
Ethylene gas produced by certain fruits like bananas, apples, pears, etc., can accelerate the spoilage of cucumbers, requiring separate storage. Cucumbers should be kept at room temperature, but if you still prefer refrigeration, place them away from other fruits and consume within a few days.
Bottle gourd and Red pumpkin
Bottle gourd and red pumpkin have an extended shelf life of approximately six months. However, it's essential to keep them away from apples, pears, and other ripening fruits, as they can cause the bottle gourd and red pumpkin to discolor and lose their freshness. The ideal temperature for storing bottle gourd and red pumpkin is around 10 – 13 degrees Celsius, cooler than room temperature but not as cold as a refrigerator. Smaller bottle gourds and red pumpkins typically have a shorter storage period of about three months.
Bottle gourd and red pumpkin prefer cool temperatures, not as cold as in the refrigerator
Yams, turnips, sugar beets, and onions
Vegetables like yams, turnips, sugar beets, and onions absorb nutrients from the soil. They should be stored in a cool, dark, and humid environment, so it's best to wrap them in paper or plastic bags and place them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. If you leave them exposed without proper wrapping, they may become mushy and spoil faster than usual.
Blueberries
Blueberries are sweet and delightful, much like grapes, strawberries, peaches, and raspberries. They tend to mold quickly if not stored correctly. It's advisable not to wash blueberries until you're ready to use them because moisture creates favorable conditions for mold growth, causing unwarranted spoilage.
Vinegar can inhibit the growth of mold on blueberries
You can preserve leftover blueberries by soaking them in a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water for a few minutes, then gently rinsing them off. Vinegar has the ability to hinder mold growth. However, remember to delicately pat dry the blueberries, ensuring they are thoroughly and carefully dried without causing any damage. Next, place them in a breathable container or leave the lid partially open.
Apples and Oranges
Apples are among the fruits that emit a significant amount of ethylene, a ripening agent that accelerates the decay of other vegetables and fruits. To extend the lifespan of apples, you can store them in the refrigerator, but keep them away from other types of food. As for oranges, avoid using plastic bags, as they can lead to mold. Instead, use a mesh bag to allow air circulation. When placing them in the refrigerator, ensure they are kept separate from apples.
Potatoes
Onions can spoil potatoes, so if you want to store them for an extended period, keep them separate. You can place potatoes and bottle gourds in woven baskets or open paper bags in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Just make sure they are not exposed to water accumulation, as it can cause these tubers to become mushy and deteriorate quickly.
Onions and garlic can be stored together without ripening or spoiling. For garlic, simply keep it in a well-ventilated area, preserving the outer layer, similar to the garlic paper, until ready for use.
Store potatoes in cool and dark places
Avocado
To ripen avocados faster, place them beside bananas. The ethylene gas emitted by bananas will expedite the ripening process of avocados. Once avocados are ripe, transfer them to the refrigerator for storage, slowing down the ripening process. For larger avocados that you can't consume in one go, store the remaining portion with the seed intact in an airtight container with a piece of onion.
Corn
Consuming corn when it's still fresh is the best way to savor its sweetness and aroma. While corn can be stored in the refrigerator, it's only viable for a short period. Avoid wrapping corn in plastic or paper; instead, place it at the front of the fridge, the least cold area. Placing it in overly chilly sections can cause the corn to dry out, lacking the moisture needed to preserve the plumpness of the kernels.
With the recent insights from Mytour, we hope to have enriched your knowledge. These scientific preservation methods will assist you in keeping your food fresh for as long as possible.
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