As you may have seen, our April issue’s Fun Finds section offers some inventive and eco-friendly goods to make you “Green on the Go.” These reusable goods and eco-friendly substitutions are my favorites. They simplify the process of getting rid of items like plastic bottles, bags, and wraps. Avoiding food waste is another easy method to live sustainably if you’re seeking for additional ideas.
Nothing is worse than having produce go bad before you can consume it—it might wilt, mold, or rot. Fortunately, there are several easy techniques to extend the freshness of your food that you may discover online. These ten have proven to be the most helpful to me.
Organic Food Storage Tips
Fresh Herbs
Herbs should be placed in a tall glass or jar with approximately one inch of fresh water at the bottom. Any packing should be removed. Once it is done, put it in the refrigerator. Should it be necessary, adjust or add water. Basil, on the other hand, should be kept at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator.
Also, Read – Why Should I Eat Organic Food?
Avocado
Keep them on the counter until they are ready to be eaten (you will know they are ready to eat if the stem can be easily removed). After that, place them in the refrigerator, where they will remain edible for a few more days of storage, if necessary. Leave the pit in place and cover the inner flesh of the avocado with plastic wrap or beeswax if you need to keep half of an avocado. Use half of a lemon to coat the inside flesh of the avocado.
Leafy Greens
Although the initial preparation takes a little bit more time, it is well worth it if you are going to be able to use your fresh greens for a number of days from now on. Leaves should be washed individually and then dried on a paper towel or a kitchen towel. Then, in order to remove any moisture, roll them up in a dry towel and place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They might also be placed in a plastic bag with a zip-top or a Stasher bag, and a dry paper towel should be tucked inside of it to absorb any extra moisture.
Onions
Due to the fact that onions release ethylene gas, it is essential to keep them in a separate location from other fruits and vegetables. If you want to keep them visible so that you don’t forget about them, you should put them in a cold, dark spot. However, if you want to keep them in sight, you may also store them in the rear corner of your kitchen counter or on top of the refrigerator.
Asparagus
In the same manner as herbs, store both. The simplest way to prepare the woody ends is to first cut or snap them off, then place them in a glass that is filled with approximately one inch of water and store them in the refrigerator. In the event that your shelves are not tall enough, storing the glass in the door of the refrigerator is an effective solution.
Celery
In the event that you are willing to put in the effort to prepare the celery, you can chop it up and store it in a jar or container that is submerged in water. In the event that you do not have the time to do so, you can simply remove any plastic packaging from the head of celery and wrap it in foil before placing it in the refrigerator.
Green Onions (or scallions)
Place them in a plastic bag or storage container that has not been sealed and place them in the refrigerator. Wrap them in a paper towel that is slightly damp. You could also put them on a windowsill if you find that your crisper drawer is getting too full to allow them to be stored there. After placing them in a container or glass that is tall enough to prevent them from falling over, fill it with water that is sufficient to cover the roots. When necessary, water should be replaced or refilled.
Apples
Although a fruit bowl placed on the counter, provided that it is not exposed to direct sunlight, is effective for a few days, the refrigerator is the best place to store apples. They require humidity in order to avoid becoming mushy and mealy, and in order to maintain their crispness for a longer period of time, you should mist them with water once or twice a day in order to add humidity and prevent them from withering. When storing food in the refrigerator, which is a very dry environment, this is of utmost importance. Because apples also emit ethylene gas, which can cause certain types of produce to ripen, it is best to store apples in a location that is separate from other fruits.
Berries
Once more, this will require some additional preparation up front, but it will be worthwhile to wash them in a vinegar bath to prevent mold from growing before you can consume them all. In a big bowl, combine 1 cup white vinegar and 3 cups cold water. Add the berries and toss for a minute or two. Next, drain, give it a thorough rinse, and pat dry with a fresh kitchen towel or paper towels. Berries should be refrigerated and re-lined with a dry paper towel to absorb any moisture before being placed back in their original packaging. (Raspberries are an exception because they are very delicate; just rinse them before eating and store them in the refrigerator.)
Also, Read – Top 8 Organic Foods for Effective Weight Loss
Final Thoughts
Use the crisper drawers in your refrigerator in the appropriate manner. Ensure that one of the drawers is set to low humidity, and store items that are prone to spoilage in this drawer, such as fruits. Ethylene gas will be able to escape through the open vent, which will prevent the meat from rotting too quickly. Vegetables, for example, should be stored in this drawer, which should be set to high humidity. The other drawer should be turned on. Additionally, it is essential to avoid over-packing the drawers because you want to make room for airflow.
