Did you know that on a global average, we throw away about a quarter of what we buy? This is a crazy waste of money, and also of resources, energy, fuel and time.
The way to change it is simple: store correctly – throw less.
So how do you spend less on food? Does every tired cucumber have to be thrown away? And what do you do to keep parsley fresh over time?
I have prepared a detailed guide for the proper storage of food products – fruits, vegetables and dried products.
Your part is to implement and follow the rules.
We’ll start with fruits, raisins and herbs.
Iron rules
• Divide and match – vegetables and fruits do not go together – at least not when it comes to storage. Use separate drawers in the fridge or keep them apart in the pantry. This is because many fruits secrete ethylene gas that acts on the fruit like a ripening hormone, which in many cases can cause accelerated rotting.
• Vegetables need air to breathe. If your vegetables are stored in plastic bags, make small holes in the bags in which the vegetables are stored, or use reusable cloth bags. Clinging nylon is the worst option for storing vegetables. In addition, do not overcrowd too many vegetables in a bag since it impairs circulation which accelerates rotting.
• Wash and Eat – If you have adopted the habit of washing all the vegetables and fruits as soon as you receive a supply, you should get rid of this habit. The moisture encourages the development of bacteria, and thus also the rotting of the vegetables ahead of time. Isnt that a loss?
Observe these rules
Do not overload. Buy exactly what you need, before each order make sure that what you order is the quantity you need, and all the raw materials you order will be used until the next order. If not really necessary, postpone the purchase to the next order. Do not place orders in ‘Automatically’, arrange the refrigerator before ordering, you will discover things that need to be used and maybe things that do not need to be ordered.
• FIFO – we have studied the subject in depth. It must always be applied !! The new produce that arrives will be stored so that the older produce will be in the front and we will use it first. This way we will make sure we do not throw away any raw material.
• Place the vegetables and fruits on the bottom shelves, not the top shelf. The top shelf of the refrigerator is a less friendly area for fresh fruits and vegetables. This is because it is drier and can harm more delicate vegetables like lettuce and spinach.
• Bundles of fresh herbs such as parsley, mint and coriander – It is recommended to release from the rubber band that causes accelerated rotting to some extent, wrap in damp paper towel, and inside a box. That way the herbs will be stored for much much longer. It is important not to compress or wash the herbs before storing in the fridge.
• Potatoes, garlic and onions should be stored outside the refrigerator in a well-ventilated place, and not next to each other. This is because the onion causes the potatoes to spoil faster. If you only used half the onion, keep the remaining half in a small box in the refrigerator until use.
• Fruits that need ripening, for example avocado, peach, nectarine, mango, plum, etc. should be kept out of the refrigerator until they ripen (if you place them in a brown paper bag it will speed up the process). After ripening, refrigerate until used.
• Fruits such as apples, pears, figs and delicate fruits such as berries and strawberries must be stored in the refrigerator in order to be well preserved.
• Eggplants prefer to be out of the fridge. Prolonged storage in the refrigerator can cause cold burns.
• Vegetables wrapped in perforated plastic, such as lettuce, carrots and broccoli, should be kept in the packaging bag. It is important to have holes in the bag to avoid accumulating moisture.
Pay attention
• Tomatoes and cucumbers or any product that comes in the box, a towel should be placed on the box to accumulate the moisture.
• When planning to store them for a relatively long period, it is recommended to choose and buy less ripe fruits and vegetables, which are usually more solid and then will serve us for a longer time.
Apply these rules, it will give you better raw materials that are preserved over time,
And will save unnecessary financial expenses and wasted resources.
Good Luck !
