Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are perishable. They do not last long. A refrigerator is one gadget that can help prolong the shelf life of these perishables.

But often you find that in the fridge some changes do take place in the vegetables or fruits’ texture and flavor. These affect the taste of the food dishes that incorporate these food items.

What are the tips to keep these food items fresh and crunchy? What to do for the preservation of freshness of these perishables for a longer period?

Preservation of freshness of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are important components of the daily diet. They provide us with vital minerals and vitamins. The prices of these are soaring high now. You want to make the best use of them without waste.

Hence you pop them all into the cooling chamber.

They do keep fresh there but for a limited period. Additionally, these perishables might lose their flavor, and texture of crispiness in the cold chamber. How does one keep your grocery purchases fresh for weeks?

Fruits and vegetables
Blueberries: tip to keep fresh (Source: Epicurious)

When we talk of berries, they are nutritious and healthy. But how to preserve their health benefits and taste? One can soak the berries in a liquid mixture made of vinegar and water in a proportion of 1:3.

Keep them in this liquid for 10 minutes and then store them. But you need to drain out the liquid and let them dry completely on a clean tea towel.

Later put them into an air-tight container that has a lining of kitchen paper. In this, the vinegar acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent and prevents mold from forming on the berries.

Green vegetables and strawberries

If you want to keep your greens fresh without wilting or becoming slimy, there is a simple and easy trick. Put the greens into an airtight container and keep a damp paper towel on top.

The towel will absorb the moisture from the greens and prevent them from becoming spoiled.

Fruits and vegetables
Carrots and celery are best preserved underwater (Source: The organized housewife)

Celery and carrots require moisture to stay fresh. So the best way out is to keep them in water in a jar in the fridge. This helps to keep them good without losing their nutrients or taste or flavor.

Also, keep the foods you want to consume first in a separate area of the fridge. Then, it will remain well when it is cooked and nothing will go waste.

And to have the freshest strawberries from the supermarket, pick up the box that is at the back or bottom of the piles on the shelf. These are the most recent box.

Also, take a close look at the strawberries. If you see mold on it, it is old. Leave it. After you have purchased the best lot, keep them in the fridge in a sealed jar. Do not wash them before storing them.

Read more: Colombia, South America: 8 exotic, refreshing, and nutritious fruits

Fruits and vegetables
Wash strawberries just before eating and not before storing (Source: Zestful Kitchen)

Wash only just before you want to eat them. Mold needs moisture and oxygen for growth. By not washing it, you are denying it of moisture. And by keeping it in an air-tight box, oxygen is out. So they remain good for many, many days.