7 Tips to Better Store Fruits and Vegetables

Cinzia Cuneo March 7, 2022 environment, Fruit, Save Money, Vegetables

Do you know how to store fruits and vegetables to extend their life? Whether you already know or do not know how to keep your veggies, these 7 tips will help you reduce waste and save money.

1. Do not mix all of your fruits and vegetables together

Some fruits such as apples, kiwis and mangos continue to ripen after being picked. In doing so, they release ethylene, a gas that accelerates the ripening or decay of neighboring fruits and vegetables. It is better to store them separately in the fridge.

2. Wash berries at the last minute

These fruits are rich in moisture which makes them fragile. When they are washed early, they are further weakened.

3. Do not put all your fruits and vegetables in the fridge

Some soften in the fridge and lose their flavor. Leave tomatoes, avocados, melons, watermelons, and bananas, which prefer room temperature, on the counter. Potatoes and sweet potatoes prefer a cool, dry place away from the light. Onions and garlic have the same preferences, but if you store onions with potatoes, they will both deteriorate faster.

4. Remove the leaves from root vegetables

Carrots, celery, radishes, turnips and beets lose a lot of water through their leaves and become less crunchy. These leaves can be washed and put in a bag in the freezer. When the bag is full enough, a soup or vegetable broth can be prepared.

5. Cut vegetables at the last minute

Vegetables tend to dry out when they have been cut. If they have to be prepared in advance, it is better to put them in an airtight container, wrapped in a damp cloth.

6. Inspect lettuce and herbs before storing them in the fridge

Remove any leaves that have already faded, but it is best to wash them just before using them so that they keep their freshness. For more tips on how to store fresh herbs, please read this article.

7. Use your countertop and fridge wisely

To prevent all your fruits from ripening at the same time, you can leave some of them on the counter and keep the others in the refrigerator.

I hope that these tips to properly store fruits and vegetables will be helpful to you in prolonging the life of your veggies … as well as that of your wallet.

Author

Cinzia Cuneo

Cinzia Cuneo, founder of SOSCuisine.com, never wanted to neglect the quality of her food. She shares her special expertise to make good food quickly and without complications!