Stop Wasting Produce: How to Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh Longer

Separate to Succeed

Some fruits and vegetables don't get along because some release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening of others. The riper the fruit or vegetable, the more ethylene it emits.

For example, it's best to store these separately due to their high ethylene emission:

Bananas, pears, apples, tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, mushrooms, avocados, cabbage, eggplant, carrots, apricots, peaches, plums, mangoes, and bananas.

These should be kept apart from produce that's particularly sensitive to ethylene, such as apples, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and eggplants.

Cucumbers, for instance, don't emit ethylene but are sensitive to it, so they should not be stored with tomatoes, for example, from the high ethylene group.

Additionally, fruits and vegetables that tend to ripen quickly should stay clear of veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and potatoes, which can accelerate their ripening.

Avoid These Combinations:

Onions and Potatoes – We often store them together, but this is a mistake. Onions cause potatoes to sprout, so store them separately in different baskets.

Apples and Oranges – As mentioned, apples emit ethylene gas, which will make oranges spoil quicker. Generally, keep apples in the fridge to extend their shelf life, contrary to citrus fruits, which are best kept out. But if you keep apples out, separate them from oranges.

Avocados and Bananas – Bananas can make avocados ripen too quickly. If you need an avocado to ripen, placing it near bananas might help, but otherwise, keep them apart.

Maintain the Right Temperature

Some fruits and vegetables are cold-sensitive and spoil when kept too long at low temperatures. It's better to store them in the least cold area of your fridge. Every fridge is different, but the bottom is colder than the top – one degree at the bottom to six degrees at the top. Therefore, cold-sensitive vegetables should be stored in the drawers at the fridge's base – where the temperature is relatively moderate.

Cold-sensitive vegetables include:

Cucumbers – Store cucumbers in the produce drawer, and before storage, remove the small flowers at the ends to keep them fresh.

Tomatoes – Tomatoes go soft when they're cold. So they also belong in the produce drawer. As a rule, unripe tomatoes (from green to light orange or red) should be kept out of the fridge until ripened.

Bananas – Don't refrigerate bananas as they don't respond well to cold.

Who Likes the Cold?

Some fruits and vegetables enjoy the cold and prefer to be stored above the storage drawers. Examples include apples, pears (once ripened), green onions, various leaves (like cilantro, parsley, mint, and basil), lettuce, baby greens, broccoli, carrots, grapes, and strawberries.

Wash Only Before Use

To prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, it is recommended not to wash them until right before you eat them. Washing removes their natural protective coating against mold and decay. Moisture encourages bacterial growth on produce, leading to early spoilage.

General Storage Tips for Fruits and Vegetables:

Choose Well

If you place a rotten fruit or vegetable near fresh ones, it'll have an impact. Make sure you pick fresh produce without defects or insect and rot damage. Also, after shopping, place fruits and veggies on top of other groceries to avoid pressure damage and bruising on the way home.

Remove Unnecessary Leaves

Before storage, remove excess leaves, like those on cucumbers, carrots, and radishes. Leaves increase humidity, which encourages rot. For vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, and parsley, remove rotten leaves before storage.

Store Outside the Fridge

Store vegetables outside the fridge in a cool and shaded spot. Avoid putting them in closed cabinets or boxes. Opt for well-ventilated baskets.

Keep it Clean

Once a week, clean the vegetable drawer to maintain a bacteria-free and dry environment. Also, dispose of spoiled produce or use those that are overly ripe. It's always nice to make a smoothie with fruits nearing their end.