We’re all trying to cut down on the amount of food we waste, so it’s good to know that how you store fruit and veg can keep them fresher for longer – ensuring they feed the family not the kitchen caddy.
There are also some clever little products and wraps that you can add to fruit and veg containers to slow down decomposition.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes don’t belong in the fridge but prefer a cool, shaded spot. If firm, pop them somewhere cool to ripen.
Bananas
Bananas belong in your fruit bowl at room temperature. But don’t let them sit there getting overripe or they could attract fruit flies.
A few years ago a member of our Great Green Systems team experienced a house infestation of fruit flies, the source of which was eventually traced to a rotting banana under her teenage son’s bed. As a result of Bananagate, she now knows more than is perhaps normal about the life and times of fruit flies. Read how to avoid fruit fly nuisance here.
But don’t chuck those black bananas out when you can easily freeze them for use later in smoothies or baking.
Legumes
Legumes, such as runner, broad and French beans, prefer the fridge. Remove them from paper bags and put them in a plastic bag or pod them into an airtight container.
Berries
Ideally berries should be eaten straight away as they quickly turn mushy. Store them in the fridge - right at the front so you don’t forget them.
Salad leaves
Store in the fridge. To keep lettuce leaves fresher, tear leaves off the head and store in a lidded container.
Citrus
Keep citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, clementines) in the fridge. Move to your fruit bowl just before eating.
Soft herbs
Store soft herbs (basil, dill, parsley, chervil, coriander) at the top of the fridge door. They can be sensitive to the cold, especially basil. The top of the door is the warmest part of the fridge.
Root vegetables
Root veg (radish, carrots, beetroot) belong in the fridge. Twist off the tops and keep them wrapped in a plastic bag in the fridge along with the root veg itself.
Soft fruits
Soft fruits, such as pears, melons, peaches, nectarines, avocados, cherries, mango, should be kept in the fridge or fruit bowl depending on ripeness. Gently squeeze to test for ripeness. If soft, eat straight away or store in the fridge. If firm, leave in your fruit bowl to soften up.
Mediterranean veg
Med veg, such as aubergine, peppers, courgettes, belong in the fridge but should be eaten sooner rather than later. Plan when you’ll use them or make them in a dish ahead of time and freeze. It’s too easy to leave them forgotten at the back of your fridge.
Fruit and salad veg
Stop them wrinkling by storing in the fridge. Give everything a good wash before use.
