We have all bought fruit and vegetables, stuck them in the fridge and left them for far too long, to then find them wrinkled and rotten.
To avoid wastage we have come up with a guide on where to store different kinds of fruit and vegetables and which you should keep separate from each other, as some fruits produce ethylene gas, this can make other foods ripen and rot more quickly.
Some of these can be stored on the counter or in the fridge at 40 F or below. Remember to refrigerate all fruit and vegetables that have been bought pre-peeled or cut.
How to Keep Fruit Fresh Longer
Bananas – If you buy green bananas, it’s best to keep them on the counter or on a banana hanger. If the bananas are ripe, putting them in the fridge can slow the process of converting starches into sugars, this will help them last longer, the skin can get blackened, but the bananas will still be fresh inside.
Apples – It’s best to keep apples away from other fruit and vegetables as they produce ethylene gas. They can be stored either on the counter or in the fridge, they usually last around a week on the counter and more than a week in the fridge.
Melons – Uncut watermelons can be stored in a dry, dark place away from other produce. Honeydew and cantaloupe melons can be stored in the fridge, before and after they are cut. Always keep cut melon in the fridge.
Tomatoes – Keep tomatoes away from the fridge as they will rot quickly. Store them at room temperature, loose in a bowl and away from any heat source like the sun or cooker.
Berries – The best place to store berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries is in the fridge, in dry containers. It’s also best not to wash berries until you’re ready to eat them.
Citrus Fruit – The crisper draw or a mesh bag in the fridge is the best place to keep citrus fruit such as oranges, clementine’s, lemons, limes and grapefruit.
Stone Fruit – Keep peaches, plums and nectarines on the counter and in a paper bag. Once they are ripe you can put them in the fridge to extend their life for a few more days.
Grapes and Cherries – It’s best to leave cherries and grapes in their original plastic containers and refrigerate until you are ready to wash and eat them.
Avocados – Ripen your avocados on the counter and then refrigerate until you’re ready to eat them.
How to Keep Vegetables Fresh Longer
Root Vegetables – Winter squashes, potatoes and sweet potatoes should be stored in a dark, cool and dry place such as a cellar or a pantry. Radishes, beets, and carrots can be stored in the fridge.
Broccoli & Cauliflower – It’s best to keep cauliflower and Broccoli in separate fridge draws away from other fruit and vegetables.
Peppers – Peppers can be stored at room temperature, they can also be stored in a fridge for up to 3 days as long as they’re used soon after taking them out from the fridge.
Celery – Store celery in the refrigerator.
Mushrooms – Moisture makes mushrooms go slimy, so it’s best to keep them unwashed in the fridge and then wash them as required.
Corn – Keep corn in their husks and store in the refrigerator.
Garlic & Onions – Store onions and garlic in a dark, cool and dry, it’s best to keep them away from other produce as they have strong odors.
Cucumbers – Cucumbers can be stored at room temperature, they can also be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, as long as they are used soon after removal.
Leafy Green Vegetables – Green leafy vegetables such as kale, lettuce, spinach, chard and collards are best stored in the fridge.
Green Beans – Should be stored in the refrigerator.
Eggplant / Aubergine – Store eggplant at room temperature, they can also be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, as long as they are used soon after removal.
