You buy fresh fruit and vegetables, refrigerate and a few days later discover that they have spoiled. What are you doing wrong? Maybe not store them properly.
Fruits and vegetables should not be stored together because many fruits, such as apples, emit a gas (ethylene) which quickly spoil the vegetables. The same happens when placed washed in the refrigerator, according to studies by Purdue University in Indiana, and when squeezed in tightly closed bags, therefore not have room to “breathe.”
How to Store – Tomatoes
Do not refrigerate them, because cold degrades the cellular structure and alter the texture. Studies have shown that it can withstand temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, but the optimal temperature for the refrigerator is 6.4 degrees.When ripen on the counter or in the kitchen basket, consume them immediately, otherwise refrigerate them to use them in cooking.
How to Store – Cucumbers
Cucumbers do not withstand cold. Any temperature below 10 degrees Celsius makes them spoil faster, according to a study by University of California at Davis.If you absolutely must put them in the refrigerator, to consume them within three days note that they are very sensitive to ethylene therefore keep them away from tomatoes, melons and bananas.
How to Store – Carrots
Before storing, remove the green stalk because it “pulls” moisture and make them soften very quickly. If you do not clean them, put them in an open plastic bag in the drawer of the refrigerator vegetable for two weeks.If you clean them, cut them or are small (baby-carrots), will last longer in the refrigerator in a container full of water, which will change frequently. Do not put them together with apples because they are sensitive to ethylene.
How to Store – Peppers
Place them in a plastic bag unless it is hot, so we wrap them with paper towel or kitchen roll.Eat green peppers within a week and red within 3-4 days.
How to Store – Garlic
Store them in an open container at room temperature, without removing the protective membranes dry the cover. You can store together with onions.
How to Store – Onions
Place them in a net or stockings making a knot after each one and hang them at room temperature. Alternatively, put in an open container on the kitchen counter with garlic.Keep them away from, potatoes (it will make them make shoots), from the radiator (spoils the texture) and light (alter their flavor).
How to Store – Potatoes
Store them in a dark cool place (not in the refrigerator), inside a paper back to “breathe”, away from onions and fruit (eg apples, melons) which emit ethylene.
How to Store – Apples and Oranges
Keep them in the refrigerator. Apples withstand up to six weeks and oranges for 2-3. Oranges kept outside of the refrigerator are a little more juicy, but can spoil quickly (3-4 days) if it is hot.
How to Store – Bananas
Wrap them one by one with plastic wrap to limit the emission of ethylene and mature more slowly. When they reach the desired ripening point, put them in the refrigerator.
By James Red, Truth Inside Of You
