Extending the Shelf-life of the Produce (Fruits and Vegetables)
Fruits and vegetables are very sensitive Perishable produce that requires proper storing and handling to preserve and increase their shelf-life. Main factors contribute to the quality and freshness of the produces include temperature and humidity.
General tips include:
Make sure that you always purchase form a good supplier
Store the fruits and vegetables away from any row foods such poultry, meat and fish
Reduce the time as much as you can between buying and storing
Keep the refrigerator always clean and dry and free of any sense of odors and smells
Always look up for fresh produce and use your common of sense deciding on the quality
Here are some tips can be followed to extend the shelf-life of the fruits and vegetables:
Fruits
Berries group: berries are very sensitive to humid and water. Keep them dry and covered in refrigerator and never wash until they are ready to eat.
Bananas: green banana should be kept on the counter until they are ripen then store them in the refrigerator to slow the ripen process
Citrus fruits: to extend the shelf-life of lemon, lime, orange.. etc store them in the refrigerator in a dry mesh
Melon group: Keep un cut melons in dry dark places. Once they are cut they should be kept in refrigerator in a container
Apples: store peaches unwashed on the counter away separated from other Produce since they are ethylene gas producers
Tomatoes: Spread the tomatoes on the counter at room temperature or if it stored in the refrigerator, they should be kept in a mesh
Cherries and Grapes: Store them in refrigerator unwashed in a plastic bags until they are ready to eat
Avocado: ripen avocado on the counter then store them in refrigerator
Stone fruits: keep fruits such peaches covers unwashed in paper bag for maximum of week then store in refrigerator for more few days lasting
Vegetables
Lettuce and Green leafy vegetables: always store them in a dry drawer and avoid moisture as much as you can. You can use drying paper to wrap the plant for moisture
absorption
Onions family and Garlic: never store onions in the refrigerator. Keep them in dark, cool, separate pantry at room temperature. Watch out for humidity and never store with other vegetables due to the strong odors
Root vegetables: Store them in refrigerator in plastic bags to preserve their moisture, while store potato, and sweet potatoes in cool, dark, dry pantry and never in the refrigerator
Eggplants, zucchinis, cucumbers, bell peppers: store them at room temperature for up to week. In case of the refrigerator keep them from 1 to 3 days in a mesh if they are to used shortly after they are taken out.
Green beans and corns (pre-cut): store them in the refrigerator covered in plastic bags
Broccoli and Cauliflowers: they are sensitive to other fruits and should be kept separate from other produce in the refrigerators
Parsley and Cilantro: treat them as flower by cutting the stem slightly and place in vase fill of water and then merge the parsley inside. Cover the top with plastic bag and place in the refrigerator or use as the alternative method wrap the parsley in a dumb cloth or towels and store in the refrigerator.
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