Storing fruits and vegetables is crucial to keeping them
fresh. Lack of proper storage puts the
consumer at the risk of foodborne illness. This could be reduced by the
correct handling, storing, and cooking of food. It is important to note all
foods have a limited life, and with vegetables and fruits their life is even
shorter. Things such as packaging and storing are the major contributors to how
long the groceries stay fresh. When storing groceries, it is important to
consider where to store, how to store, and the mode of storage will keep the
vegetables and fruits fresh. The major areas of storing groceries are the
counter and in the refrigerator.
The Counter
This storage is for vegetables and fruits that require a
cool dry place. If well maintained,you could store groceries for up to two
weeks. The counter stores groceries that
if kept in the fridge would turn mealy and in the process, lose most of their
flavor. These fruits and vegetables should
be kept on the counter and stay fresh for the periods provided. Food put on the
counter can be grouped according to the period they stay fresh.
How to store groceries on the counter
Fruits on the counter have to be well ventilated and air
circulation must be ensured. Fruits that release a lot of ethylene gas should
be separated to avoid over ripening of other fruits. Groceries should at all
times be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some groceries
come with special instructions instructing to refrigerate only after opening or
giving a specified period of consumption. These instructions all should be
adhered to strictly. Observing the provided storage areas and the period the
intended vegetable or fruit is to be fresh then wastage shall be reduced
helping save more money. This also avoids the consumption of food that is
poisoned with bacteria. Bacteria develops in vegetables and fruits after their
peak condition then they may cause food poisoning.
Foods that stay fresh longer on the shelf
Onions, garlic and shallots stay for more than a month on
the shelf while still fresh. This is only possible if the groceries are kept well.
- Onions could stay for up to 2 months if whole
- Shallots up to 1 month
- Garlic up to 2 months
- Dried chili pepper will stay up to 4 months in an air tight container
Those with a short life on the counter
These are vegetables and fruits that can stay for less than
a week if stored on the counter.
- Tomatoes could stay for 3 days, but to ripen they should be kept in a paper bag at room temperature
- Potatoes up to 5 days, and make sure air circulates them
- Sweet potatoes and yams up to 2 weeks in a paper bag
- Oranges could stay up to 3 days
- Peaches, to ripen, should be put in a paper bag until soft and slightly fragrant
- Honeydew should be stored at room temperature in a paper bag, then once ripened can stay refrigerated for 5 days if whole and 3 days if sliced.
- Pineapple can be stored up to 5 days on the counter top and whole but 3 days if sliced in a refrigerator
- Bananas, lemon and other citrus fruits and melons are best if kept on the counter but once cut should be relegated to the refrigerator where germs do not survive. Bananas can stay at the counter for up to 5 days. .
The Refrigerator
Refrigeration is used in controlling bacteria. Low
temperature stops bacteria from growing and also slows down the chemical
reactions in the vegetable or fruit that may affect its quality. Vegetables
from the refrigerator may be cooked in their frozen state; while it may be
difficult to eat fruits in a frozen state, it is advisable to run the fruit
under water or just remove it from the fridge earlier before consumption.
How to keep groceries in the refrigerator
The refrigerator should be kept below 5 degrees Celsius/41
degrees Fahrenheit. Overloading is not encouraged since space between items is
essential for keeping the cold air circulating between the groceries. Fruits
kept in the refrigerator should be left in their original packaging and should
not washed before refrigeration. Vegetables to be stored in the refrigerator
should be washed, rinsed and dried well and wrapped up in a paper towel before
putting in the fridge.
Groceries that stay long in the refrigerator
- Apples could stay refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
- Black berries could stay for up to 1 week. The damaged and moldy berries should be removed before refrigeration to prevent the mold from moving to the rest of the berries.
- Broccoli could stay fresh for up to 1 week
- Green or red cabbage could stay up to 2 weeks
- Savoy and Napa cabbage stay fresh up to 1 week
- Cranberries could stay for up to 1 month
- Watermelon can stay for up to 1 week if whole
Groceries that can only stay refrigerated for less than a week
- Cantaloupe up to 5 days when whole and 3 days if cut; after cutting, wash thoroughly to prevent bacterial transmission
- Cucumbers up to 5 days·
- Grapes up to 3 days but can extend to a week if kept in a bowl or a ventilated plastic bag
- Kale up to 3 days
- Bagged lettuce: Strictly follow the expiry date
- Oranges up to 2 days
- Peas up to 4 days but should be left in the pods until ready to eat
- Spinach in a bunch up to 3days
- Strawberries up to 3 days, and anything moldy and damaged should be discarded
- Watermelon up to 2 days if cut
When buying groceries, one has to be keen on the condition of the vegetables and fruit being bought. Do not purchase swollen fruits and vegetables. This indicates bacteria has already grown inside. Fruits that produce more ethylene gas should be kept away from the rest. This gas is responsible for ripening. These fruits make the entire basket of fruits at the counter ripen and eventually become over ripe and swollen. This also leads to the formation of bacteria.
Information on where to store groceries, how to store and how long it takes still fresh is important since it reduces the cost of spoiled food and that of treating food poisoning after the consumption of fruits and vegetables with bacteria. This helps provide for a healthy living.
