How to store food like a pro
By
ResLife Bath
Posted 3 weeks ago
Mon 25 Nov, 2024 12:11 PM
Keep your food fresher for longer
As some of the most wasted foods, it's time to put more thought into your fruit and veg. Not only will this save you some pennies but goes towards helping the planet too.
Keep your five-a-day in peak condition until you're ready to eat them with these handy tips on how to store some of the most common household foods:
- Keep in a cool, dry and dark cupboard
- If they have started sprouting, simply cut off any sprouts before using them
- Keep in the fridge in their original packaging or in a container lined with a piece of kitchen towel
- Avoid moisture
- They last up to 2 weeks longer in their original packaging in the fridge
- If you're only using part of a pepper, leave the stalk and seeds attached, then store in the fridge
- Keep in the fridge in a paper bag or the original packaging
- Once opened, cover them with a folded tea towel
- Best stored in the fridge or on the counter to ripen them quickly
- If you only need half, leave the stone in and sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning, then store in the fridge
- Apples last up to 2 weeks longer in the fridge in their original packaging
- If you buy them loose, put them in a reusable container in the fridge
- Keep in a cool, dark place - not the fridge
- Keep their distance from other fruit and vegetables
Our top tips
- Store at the right temperature: the temperature in your fridge should be between 0ºC and 5ºC, with the optimal temperature being 3ºC to keep your food fresher for longer.
- Pick the best shelf for the food type: for example, butter, cheese and condiments are less perishable so can be kept near the top of your fridge where it is warmer. However, fruit and vegetables store best on the middle shelf, with raw meat and seafood on the bottom shelf.
- Don't stack food too high: this can prevent air from circulating, making your fridge work harder to stay at the right temperature which, in turn, causes food to perish sooner.
- Keep food in its packaging: original packaging should be designed with food freshness and preservation in mind.
- Plan ahead: meal planning can help you see just how much of each ingredient you need for the week, helping you to avoid overbuying and wasting.
Find our just how easy it can be to cut down on food waste here!
