Food storage: Store apples separately, bread at room temperature and herbs in the freezer

How to store eggs in fridge: Store eggs in their original carton in the refrigerator. This will help them keep fresh and prevent them from absorbing any odours from other foods (Image: Canva)

Do you know how to store your everyday foods like fruits, veggies, herbs, bread and eggs? Storing foods properly can extend their life and reduce wastage, saving you money. Don’t keep eggs on the fridge door, for example, as fluctuating temperatures can affect their freshness. Don’t keep onions and potatoes together as it increases their chances of spoiling. Bananas can be kept in the fridge after they ripen, but the peel may darken.

Here are more tips on storing common food items like fruits, vegetables, herbs, bread, and eggs to make them last longer:

Fruits

• Apples, pears, and citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes stay fresh longer when stored in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Apples release ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening of other fruits, so it’s best to store them separately.

• Keep berries, including strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, in the refrigerator in a container with holes and lined with paper towels that will absorb excess moisture. Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them; this will prevent mould.

• Store bananas at room temperature, but away from other fruits. Once ripened, you can shift them to the fridge, but remember that the peel will become darker.

• Grapes also do well in the refrigerator in a breathable bag but only be wash them right before eating.

• Vegetables like root vegetables (potatoes, onions, garlic, and sweet potatoes) need a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place for optimal storage. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture. Don’t store onions and potatoes together as they spoil more easily this way.

• Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and lettuce, should be wrapped in paper towels to absorb moisture and kept in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. If they begin to wilt, they will get revive if you soak them in ice-cold water.

• Carrots, celery, and bell peppers stay crisp in the refrigerator. Wrap them in damp paper towels or stored in a container with water.

• Keep tomatoes at room temperature until they are ripe, then refrigerate to prolong freshness.

• Cucumbers and zucchini can be stored in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, but keep them away from fruits that produce ethylene like apples, bananas and kiwi.

• To keep your coriander fresh for longer, trim the ends and store it like a bouquet in a glass of water in the refrigerator. Cover it loosely.

• Basil should not be refrigerated as the leaves will darken very quickly.

• If you are using more hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, best to wrap them in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can also freeze herbs in ice cube trays with water and they’ll be good to use for longer.

• Your everyday bread loaf should not be kept in the fridge as it speeds up the staling process. Store it at room temperature in a bread box or paper bag.

• Store eggs in their original carton in the refrigerator. This will help them keep fresh and prevent them from absorbing any odours from other foods. Avoid placing them in the refrigerator door as the temperature fluctuates as you open and close the fridge. Instead, keep them on the shelf and they’ll stay fresh for 3-5 weeks.

• Cut fruits or vegetables can be stores in airtight containers. This prevents them from drying out or absorbing unwanted odours.

• If you think you won’t be able to use your berries, bananas, or vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini, you can freeze them.

• Avoid storing sliced fruits and vegetables together to preserve moisture and minimise contamination.

• These techniques will help you enjoy fresh, long-lasting food, allowing you to reduce waste.