How to store Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are a wealth of vitamins, elements and other essential nutrients for health - if properly store them. Nothing is more discouraging than wasting food when trying to eat healthy. You can use these simple tips to keep your veggies alive and well for much longer.

Most vegetables and fruits should be kept in the refrigerator. But not all. All exotic fruits such as avocados, bananas, mangoes and pineapples should not be store in the fridge .Reason? Kept in cold weather they lose their flavor and aroma. Best to store them in a dry and warm place.

Cold-sensitive fruits  and veggies ( tomato, cucumber) lose flavor and moisture at low temperatures. Store them on the counter, not in the fridge. Once they're fully ripe, you can refrigerate them to help them last, but for best flavor, return them to room temperature.

Never refrigerate potatoes, onions, squash or garlic. Keep them in a cool, dark, dry cabinet, and they can last up to a month or more. But separate them so their flavors and smells don't migrate.

Green vegetables (such as lettuce, broccoli, asparagus, cucumbers) do not store with products that emit ethylene(ethylene is in peppers, bananas, apples, pears, tomatoes). Ethylene can build up in the fridge, causing spoilage.

Other tips for storing fruits and vegetables:

• Fruits that are bruised or damaged ripen faster, so eat them first.
• Wait to wash your fruits and veggies until you’re ready to use them.
• Fruits that kept in plastic will ripen faster, usually too fast. Store them loose.
• Leafy greens and herbs - wash and pat dry, then wrap in a damp paper towel and refrigerate in an open-ended bag.
• Root vegetables, including carrots, beets, radishes, parsnips, and turnips-remove the greens first and wash and pat dry, then wrap in a damp paper towel and refrigerate in an open-ended bag.
• Citrus (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit) move to the refrigerator if you want to slow ripening.
• Buy fruits and vegetables in small amounts, not to keep them too long. The fresher they are, the tastier and healthier are.

Please see below the benefits illustrated below: ( found on the internet ).

What are your tips for storing vegetable and fruits?.