It takes a lot of effort to run and manage a kitchen. Every household needs to stack several types of food components to provide three meals a day, 365 days a year. However, storing all of the food has its own set of dos and don’ts. Storage is an essential element of kitchen management, whether it’s for raw food supplies, prepared leftovers, or frozen goods.
Incorrect storage, on the other hand, may do more harm than good. It is common knowledge that if food is not stored properly, bacteria can grow and cause foodborne illnesses. When it comes to food storage, one can never be too careful, and there are a few basic blunders that virtually everyone does.
Not Everything Goes Together
Strong-flavored veggies, such as onions and garlic, should never be stored with other produce since their flavor can permeate into the other meals. Onions emit a gas that causes your potatoes to sprout and rot faster. Apples and bananas, for example, release ethylene gas as they ripen, which can cause other fruits and veggies to mature faster and, as a result, go bad sooner.
Potatoes should be kept cool and dark, and onions should be kept dark and well-ventilated. Apples and bananas should be stored separately from other fruits, or in a bag with a fruit that needs to ripen quickly, such as a hard peach or a tough avocado.
Making Use of Plastic Containers
Most individuals make a mistake by storing food in plastic containers for an extended period of time. Plastic poses a number of health risks. Despite this, we continue to use plastic containers because they are easier to handle, more readily available, and less expensive to purchase. To keep your stored food healthier, choose glass or steel containers.
Say No To Tomatoes Or Basil
Tomatoes are sensitive, but they don’t need to be refrigerated unless they’ve been chopped. When they’re chilled, their flavor often fades, and the texture might become mealy as the temperature starts to break down the membranes inside the fruit. Place them on the countertop instead.
Basil, another herb that goes well with tomatoes, does not really belong in the fridge, either. It is particularly temperature sensitive, and if exposed to the cold, it will wilt and die. Cut the stem ends off basil and store it in a glass jar on your counter to keep it fresh for pesto or cocktail garnishes.
Improperly Storing Canned Goods
There is a temperature threshold at which canned foods begin to rot, even though they have a long shelf life. Cans will lose their nutrients, flavor, and color if kept in direct sunlight or at temperatures higher than 75 degrees fahrenheit for extended periods of time.
Eat everything on your plate. Only buy what you know you will use. Canned goods have a shelf life of three years, however they should be consumed within one. When you make a fresh purchase, go through your cans and use the oldest ones first.
Go Clean Your Fridge Right Now
It’s worth setting aside time to clean and organize your refrigerator if you haven’t done so recently. A clean and organized refrigerator not only makes preparing easier and simpler, but it also reduces the amount of food you waste.
Cleaning your fridge is also quite informative; you’ll notice patterns in how you shop, store, and waste food very quickly. It’s a lot easier to self-correct and get back on track when you notice what you’re over-buying or storing incorrectly.
Be Careful With Your Avocados
You bought a couple of avocados for your breakfast toast or your favorite guacamole dish, only to discover they haven’t ripened yet. If you keep it in the fridge, keep in mind that cold air slows down the ripening period significantly. If you’re waiting for avocados to ripen, keep them on your counter alongside apples or bananas.
Conclusion
Overcrowding in freezers causes a number of product difficulties. It is important to keep your fruits and vegetables super fresh.
When it comes to grocery shopping, We’ve all discovered forgotten shopping items in the back of the fridge that have wilted and gone bad. We hope you avoid these typical blunders and enjoy your harvest for many years to come!