Do you quiver at the sight of rotting fruits in your refrigerator? I do and YES, it happens to all us. Your recent purchased produce have gone bad before you had the opportunity to eat them. To get your money’s worth from your produce, specially from your fruits, it is important to know not only where in your refrigerator to store them but how long is their shelf-life. Today I want to share with you a few recommendations on how to store your fruits and to get your money’s worth!
How to STORE your Fruits and Get Your Money’s Worth!
Let’s begin by learning which fruit can be store together. Did you know that some fruits give off ethylene gas, which can make other produce ripen and rot faster? Yes, this is true! Fruit such as Apples and Bananas are ethylene gas producing fruits. If you want to get your money’s worth from these fruits, you must store them separately. You can store your apples on your counter for one week or in your refrigerator for up to three weeks. Your green bananas should be store on your counter or on a banana hanger to let ripen. Berries should be store in the refrigerator in uncovered vented containers until ready to be used. Store your tomatoes on your counter and your grapes in a perforated bag in your refrigerator.
Now that we know which fruits can be store together, let’s learn how to extend their shelf-life. To extend the shelf-life of your citrus fruits, you should store them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelons should be store loosely and uncut in your refrigerator until you are ready to cut them and away from ethylene gas producing fruits. Once you cantaloupe and honeydew have been cut, wrap them in plastic and it will last up to 10 days in your refrigerator.
There are many food containers, produce bags, produce disk that can help increase the life of your produces. However, if you follow some of the recommendations found above you can enjoy your produce for a bit longer and get your money’s worth. Now, let’s hear from you…
What is your best tip for keeping your produce fresh longer?
My best tip is not to buy in bulk and just consume what my family needs. I buy fruits 3-4 times a week since Strawberries do not last very long. Great article thanks!