Anjali
Posts : 111
Join date : 2013-07-08
 |  Subject: Best Way to Store Fruits and Vegetables in Refrigerator  Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:46 pm | |
| . Best Way to Store Fruits and Vegetables in Refrigerator Storage of fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator is the most common and inexpensive option, given that we have access to fresh produce all the year round. How many times have you loaded your refrigerator with your weekly trip to the market or supermarket and then forgot all about it, only to find them deteriorated in the fridge drawers, days later? Here are some tips to keep fruit and vegetable produce stay fresh longer.
Each fruit and vegetable can be used successfully for a maximum length of time, if you store it under ideal conditions.
Fruits
As a thumb rule, never store fruits and vegetables together. Since fruits emit ehtylens (ripening agent), it can ripen and spoil other surrounding vegetables prematurely. Fruits are susceptible to pick up the taste of the nearby vegetables.
It is best to leave fruits such as plums, mangoes, banana, melons, pears, peaches, and apples on a countertop. Once they ripen, they can be refrigerated.
Apples: Wrap the ripened apples in airy bags and place them inside the crisper drawer of the fridge. If you have a bruised apple, keep it aside as apples give off a lot of ethylene gas and can quickly rot and ripen other apples too.
Berries: Berries are fine if you leave them at room temperature. However, you should always try to refrigerate them as soon as you get home since they don't ripen after they are picked. Leaving them at room temperature for more than three days will speeden their decay. Clean the berries and store them in a sealable container lined with paper towels. Keep the lid partly open to allow moisture to escape. This method extends the shelf life of berries.
Lemons: Leaving lemons at room temperature will last a week before they harden. However, if you store them in the refrigerator in plastic bags, they last for over three weeks!
Tomatoes are also best left at room temperature until they are fully ripe. Chill temperature makes the flavor-producing enzymes of the tomatoes stop working. You will have a taste-less tomato. Once they are ripened, keep them in the fridge to extend its life for two to three days.
Herbs
If you want to store herbs such as parsely, cilantro (coriander leaves) and other fresh herbs, remember to snip their stems. Make sure the leaves are completely dry and you can clean just before use. Keep them loosely in a plastic bag, if you want to store them in the refrigerator. You can also partly fill a jar or glass with water and place the ends of the herbs into the jar. This way, it can last up to two or more weeks.
Vegetables
It is best to trim any leafy ends of the vegetables, if any, before storing them. The bag that you store must be airy and pack them loosely in the refrigerator. You can expect them to rot, if it is not too roomy. Keep onions and potatoes separately in a cool and dry place. Do not refrigerate them since cold temperatures will ruin its flavor.
Carrots: You can keep carrots in the refrigetor up to three months, if stored properly. Remove the green leaves, if any, wrap them in absorbent paper and keep them in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. Ensure they are dry and wash them just before use.
Cauliflower: Wrap cauliflower in a plastic or paper bag and store in the fridge. Raw and unwashed cauliflower will last up to a week or 10 days. If you choose to wash them, then you can cut the florets and store in sealed plastic bag. Such florets must be used within 2 to 3 days.
Greens: Cut the stems, remove any moisure and spread the greens on paper towels and wrap them before storing it away in the fridge. This way, they can stay fresh and crisp all week long. You can also wrap them in dry medium-sized bath towels (cotton), secure them with rubber bands and store in the bottom shelf of the fridge!
Brinjal: Eggplant/Brinjal tastes best when stored at room temperature at a cool and dry spot. If you want to refrigerate, then place them in an airy bag. Do not store them at temperatures less than 50 degrees Fahrehheit. Do not seal them in plastic bag since it will increase decay.
Cabbage: Wrap cabbage in an airy plastic or paper bag before refrigerating. Remember to remove bruised leaves before storing.
Okra: Okra or ladiesfinger must be dry when storing. Wrap in paper or plastic bags and store in the refrigerator. Use them within a day or two. If you need to freeze them, then wash, trim the stems, and blanch in boiling water for two to three minutes. Drain and pack them loosely before placing them in freezer bags. Stays up to six months. | |
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