Store fruits and vegetables properly

Not every fruit and vegetable should be kept in the fridge

02/12/2015

Fruit and vegetables last the longest when stored under optimal conditions. But while some vegetables such as carrots are best kept in the fridge, bananas and other tropical fruits do not tolerate the cool temperatures. Potatoes should also be stored in the cellar rather than stored in the fridge. Andrea Schauff from the consumer center Hessen explains in an interview with the news agency „dpa“, what consumers should pay attention to.

Do not store tropical fruits in the fridge
Tropical fruits such as pineapple, bananas and citrus fruits come from warm regions and should therefore be stored in this country at room temperature instead of stored in the refrigerator. Even pumpkins and potatoes should not be exposed to cool temperatures, as they quickly get frostbite or glassy spots. To store them optimally, the dark, cool cellar offers good ventilation. According to Schauff, most fruits and vegetables are best kept there. If you do not have a cellar, you can alternatively use the vegetable compartment in the fridge. Root vegetables such as celery, carrots and other turnips have their optimal storage location there. Even strawberries are in good hands in the fridge due to the cool temperature and humidity. Cabbage varieties such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also best stored in the vegetable compartment. Rhubarb and asparagus last the longest when they are wrapped in a kitchen towel and placed in the fridge.

Store fruits and vegetables best in a dark and cool place
Things are very different with tomatoes, as they quickly begin to mold in the refrigerator. Tomatoes should be separated from the remaining vegetables, kept in a well-ventilated and dry place. If they are already mature, they will last about five days. Also zucchini should not be stored in the fridge, but in a cool, shady place.

Apples can be stored well in the basement. Since they release ethylene like bananas, they should be stored separately from other types of fruit, otherwise they spoil faster. This is especially true for kiwis and cabbages. On the other hand, if you want to speed up the ripening process, you should place an apple in the unripe fruit.

If you buy fruits and vegetables in the supermarket, it is often sealed in plastic. Schauff advises to remove airtight packaging as fruits and vegetables quickly spoil. If the packaging is perforated, they are well suited for storage. This also applies to cloth bags. (Ag)

Picture: Karin Bangwa