You have probably experienced the disappointment of searching for fresh produce you bought a few days ago only to find it has already gone bad. The good news is there are many ways to ensure your groceries remain fresh for as long as possible. Here are some food storage tips to try.
Place Milk on Bottom Shelf
Many people choose the refrigerator door as the designated location for cartons of milk. And while this location makes it possible to quickly grab your milk, your refrigerator door’s temperature is lower than that of other parts of the refrigerator. The lower temperature will cause your milk to spoil faster. The back of the refrigerator is the coldest area available. It will keep your milk fresh for a longer period of time.
Store Meat on the Bottom Shelf
Source: ShutterstockThe juices that sometimes fall from a pack of meat is a great way to ruin your fresh produce. Placing your meat on the bottom shelf will eliminate this threat. When no space is available on the bottom shelf, you can use a tray that possesses a raised lip to ensure juices from your meat do not fall on the food positioned beneath it.
Use Plastic Wrap for Bananas
You will slow the rate at which your bananas release ethylene gas when you cover their crowns with plastic wrap. This is especially useful for preventing your bananas from overripening if you do not plan to use them all immediately.
Wrap Your Celery in Foil
Keep your celery both crunchy and fresh for up to four weeks by wrapping it completely in foil before you place it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. The foil will help your celery stay hydrated and protect against harmful gases released by other food items in the crisper drawer.
Keep Herbs Hydrated
Source: ShutterstockYou can cut the stems from herbs that are soft to the touch like cilantro, basil, and parsley before placing them into a cup of water. Next, place a plastic bag over the cup to keep the herbs fresh for as long as two weeks. Herbs with harder exteriors like rosemary, sage, and thyme can be placed inside of a plastic kitchen bag after being rolled into a damp paper towel.
Store Certain Produce Apart From Each Other
Fruits and vegetables will produce gases after they are stored in your refrigerator. Some of these gases will interact and result in some of your produce going bad. You can combat this process by storing products that produce a lot of gas like avocados, bananas, and apples in a location away from other produce.
Source: ShutterstockVegetables that produce less gas like broccoli, potatoes, and carrots can be stored in close proximity to each other but must be kept away from the vegetables that produce heavy gases. Bell peppers, kale, and berries will do just fine wherever you put them.
Use Vinegar for berries
If you do not plan on eating your berries soon, you can use a solution that includes three parts water and one part vinegar. This solution will protect the berries from bacteria and prevent mold from forming on your food. After you soak the berries, rinse them thoroughly and pat them until they are dry.
Use Airtight Containers for Grains
You are probably familiar with the savings that are possible when you purchase your grain products in bulk. But you will have to store your grain products correctly if you plan on keeping them for an extended amount of time. Airtight food containers will help your grain products remain fresh and also protect them from insects and rodents.
No one likes to see the food they spend their hard-earned money go bad before anyone in the home has the chance to eat it. You will not have to worry about this problem happening to the food in your kitchen if you pay close attention to the 8 food storage tips above.
