These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer (2024)

There really is nothing worse than opening up your fridge to discover your supposedly fresh cucumber has turned over overnight into what I can only describe as bogey green sludge. Or perhaps you go to use up an avocado half and its well... black and frankly inedible. We are here to help you with your fridge load woes - saving on food waste in the process. Win, win!

Get organised.

First things first - organise your fruit and veggies into different sections of your fridge! Some fruit and veg release a gas called ethylene as they ripen. Keep ethylene-producing fruits like stone fruits (peaches, apricots and nectarines), melons, apples, pears and avocados separate from produce that wilts easily, like leafy greens or fresh herbs, and for ethylene-sensitive fruits like strawberries. Bananas, for example, are very responsive to ethylene gas, so keep them separate whatever you do!

Stop those pesky avos turning brown!

Because of the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar it's the perfect companion for slowing down the oxidisation of our fave creamy fruit. It won't stop it though, so if in doubt throw that avo in your salad or smoothie ASAP. Don't use too much however as that will totally change the flavour of the avocado.

These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer (3)These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer (4)

Aluminium foil for the win

Its v important to keep moisture off your cuke as they will spoil waay quicker, especially if it has already been opened. In fact, any half used veg will benefit from a bit of foil to slow the browning process and keep them fresher for longer. Foil tends to work better than cling film for fruit and veg is it will keep your produce at a cooler temp. HOW FAB!

Make up a herb vase

Fresh herbs will wilt in the fridge quicker than you can say coriander, so be sure to follow this next step. If buying herbs in plastic or fresh from a veg shop, cut about a centimetre off the bottom of your herb bunch and pop them in a half filled water glass - then refrigerate. You will be SO surprised at how long your herbs will last as opposed to just letting them sit on the fridge shelf all alone.

These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer (5)

Emilie Wade

Emilie is a freelance news writer and regular contributor for Delish UK. She has worked in food for over 5 years, with a cookery diploma from Leiths School of Food & Wine under her belt. Her spare time is spent disco dancing, cardamom bun eating and planning her next trip abroad which will always revolve around food. Duh!

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These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer (6)

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These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer (2024)

FAQs

These Tricks Will Help Keep Fruit and Veg Fresher For Longer? ›

The shelf life of fruits and vegetables can be increased by keeping them in cold storage this results in a slower ripening process and fruits and vegetables remain fresh for a longer duration. Fruits when stored in a cold chamber exhibit a longer storage life because their rate of respiration is decreased.

Why fruits and vegetables remain fresh for longer time in the refrigerator? ›

The shelf life of fruits and vegetables can be increased by keeping them in cold storage this results in a slower ripening process and fruits and vegetables remain fresh for a longer duration. Fruits when stored in a cold chamber exhibit a longer storage life because their rate of respiration is decreased.

How do you make fruits and vegetables last 2 weeks? ›

Keep them out of the fridge crisper and away from other veg which they can cause to over ripen and spoil. Wrap in paper towel and store in vegetable crisper in the fridge.

How do you preserve fruits and vegetables long-term? ›

Freezing has been successfully employed for the long-term preservation of many foods, providing a significantly extended shelf life. The process involves lowering the product temperature generally to -18 °C or below (Fennema et al., 1973).

What is the factor that helps the fruits to last longer? ›

Having high humidity helps to limit moisture loss in fruits and vegetables. Refrigeration can cause humidity loss, so keeping proper humidity levels is crucial to reducing shrink.

What are the methods to preserve foods longer? ›

To extend the longevity of food used at home or in your food business, you can use refrigeration, freezing, canning, sugaring, salting, and even vacuum packing. Plus, food experts are constantly researching new preservation methods to expand our options.

How are vegetables and fruits stored for longer durability? ›

Fruits and vegetables are stored in cold storage at very low temperature. At this low temperature, the rate of respiration is very low and microbial activity is extremely low. Hence the fruits and vegetables escape spoilage and remain fresh and safe for a long duration.

How do you preserve fresh fruit? ›

Freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh fruit. Simply wash the fresh fruit and let it air dry thoroughly before packing it up to freeze. If the fruit has water droplets on it, this could impact the process. Pack the fruit in a freezable storage container or in special freezer bags.

What is the best storing technique of fresh vegetables? ›

Most vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage and celery should be stored in a plastic bag or container in the crisper of your fridge. Mushrooms are best stored in a paper bag. Vegetables should be stored in a different part of the fridge than fruit. This will prevent them from ripening too fast.

How to keep veggies fresh longer? ›

Most refrigerated produce stays fresh longer when sealed, whether in zip-top plastic bags, reusable silicone pouches, or containers with tight-fitting lids. These containers hold in moisture, preventing produce from dehydrating, and they help protect sensitive produce from the effects of ethylene gas.

How to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer without fridge? ›

Leafy greens wilt very quickly. To keep them fresh, store them in bags filled with a little air and seal them tightly. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, tangerines, and limes, last longer than your other fruits. Store them in perforated plastic bags in a cool dark place to make them last even longer.

How to keep fruit and vegetables fresh in the fridge? ›

And think about the crisper drawers in your fridge. Generally speaking, fruit does best in the drawer with ventilation and veggies are better in an airtight crisper.

How do you keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer in mason jars? ›

Store vegetables in air-tight glass jars

Keeping vegetables like carrots, celery, asparagus and radishes in an air-tight glass jar, filled with water is an easy solution to keeping them as fresh as possible. Not to mention they'll taste better!

How do you wash fruits and vegetables to last longer? ›

Under running water, rub fruits and vegetables briskly with your hands to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. If immersing in water, a clean bowl is a better choice than the sink because the drain area often harbors microorganisms. Produce with Page 2 a hard rind or firm skin may be scrubbed with a vegetable brush.

How do you keep cut fruits and vegetables from browning? ›

The browning can be slowed down by preventing the enzyme from working properly. Lemon juice contains an acid which can stop enzymes working properly as enzymes often work best at a certain pH. Water and sugar, in jam for example, stops oxygen in the air getting to the enzymes and prevents the browning.

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