Are you wasting food because it ripens and then rots faster than you’re able to eat it?
(We’re sheepishly raising our hands along with you.)
Storing food the right way can make all the difference.
Photo: Getty Images
Ethylene, a natural gas that’s released from some fruits and vegetables, speeds up the ripening process.
Use this handy chart and read on to help you learn about fruit and vegetable storage.
Some fruits and veggies should be stored separately no matter where they land.
This can sometimes be a good thing.
Want to ripen your avocado faster?
A good rule of thumb is to keep high-ethylene gas-emitting fruits apart from other produce.
Also, keep onions to themselves.
Instead, store these ripe fruits (with the exception of the bananas) whole in your crisper drawer.
The crisper keeps the moisture in check which, in turn, adds longevity to your produce.
Bacteria that cause foodborne illness can cling to the surface of the fruit or vegetable.
(Cantaloupes, in particular, have had problems withSalmonella.)
The chances are pretty remote, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
On a less scary note, washing simply whisks away dirt, which is never fun to bite into.
If you don’t have a good salad spinner, it’s time to invest.
Storing wet leaves can turn your greens into a mushy mess almost overnight.
Berries
Berries are delicate and they hate to be wet, so washing them can be tricky.
It keeps them from swimming in any water that may settle.
Herbs
Wash fresh herbs like you would salad greens in cool water and then spin them dry.
Ditto for basil, but keep your basil bouquet on your counter instead of in the fridge.
What’s the Best Time to Wash Your Produce?
Just before you plan to use it is the best time.
Just remember, excess moisture is the enemy of fresh fruits and vegetables.
check that your produce is dry before you store it.
