You must eat fresh and healthy food to stay fit. So, you bought lots of fruits and vegetables and stored them in your refrigerator to keep them fresh. However, while rummaging through the fridge to prepare a healthy meal, you discovered that your “fresh” produce is no longer fresh.
Well, this can certainly spoil the whole “eating healthy, staying fit” mood.
Luckily, there are some grocery hacks that can help prolong the shelf life of your fruits and vegetables. So, let’s learn what these hacks are!
Keep Your Herbs Hydrated
Herbs are the most difficult to keep fresh because they tend to lose moisture very quickly. Moreover, every herb needs to be treated differently.
For instance, to keep soft herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, etc., tender, you should cut off their stems and dip them in a small cup of water. After that, use a plastic bag to cover the top of the herbs.
For the hard herbs like sage, rosemary, or thyme, you should roll them loosely using a damp paper towel. It will keep them fresh for about 2 weeks.
Don’t Store Bread In The Fridge.
Do you also make the mistake of storing your bread in the fridge to prolong its life? If yes, you must stop doing so. It is because the temperature of the fridge can make it dry quickly. It is better to keep them at room temperature rather than in a cold or dry place.
Besides that, you can get food wraps and covers made of organic material to keep the breed fresh for longer. It will ensure that the food is well protected from molds and stays rich in flavor and texture. Plus, it will reduce plastic waste.
Don’t Wash Produce Before Storing.
It might come as a surprise to you, but added moisture in the food actually accelerates the decaying process. Therefore, many people suggest not washing fruits and vegetables before storing them in the refrigerator.
You should wait to wash the food before you actually eat it. This especially applies to the berries because they are delicate, and added moisture causes mold.
In case the fruits and vegetables are very dirty, you can wash them, let them get completely dry, and then store them.
Don’t Store Milk In The Door Of The Fridge.
Most people keep their milk in the door of their fridge. But do you know that it increases the chances of milk getting spoiled? Yes, you read it right! The correct place to store milk is in the middle and bottom shelf, that too, near the backside.
The temperature of the middle and bottom self is more consistent as compared to the door. Thus, milk or any other dairy product will stay safe.
The Bottom Line,
Storing your produce properly is very crucial to improve its shelf life. Not every food item can be stored in the fridge. Moreover, you can’t just keep all the food items in a single place. Also, make sure to take the measures written above to continue eating healthy food.