Storing fruits and vegetables at home: what should be kept in the refrigerator and what is room temperature good for?

‘Different types of vegetables and fruits require proper storage conditions. Some are best kept in the refrigerator, some are out of direct sunlight, some are left at room temperature, and some are better soaked in water. Therefore, to combat food waste and keep fruits and vegetables fresh and of high quality for as long as possible, we must know the conditions in which we have to store the different products ”, says the food expert.

According to V. Juodkazienė, the arrangement in stores also suggests how to store vegetables or fruits: if asparagus, parsley or various salads are stored in refrigerators in commercial places, the cooler storage conditions are suitable for these products. If we see that the products are placed on simple shelves, it is likely that the house needs to be stored at room temperature.

Onions and potatoes have separate storage areas

One of the most important things, according to food experts, is not keeping some fruits and vegetables together. Ripe fruit releases ethylene gas, which promotes the ripening of nearby vegetables and can spoil them more quickly. For example, potatoes, onions, and garlic are best stored in a cool, dark place. However, it is not advisable to store onions and potatoes together, as onions emit certain substances that make potatoes grow faster.

“Unripe fruit must be kept at room temperature to be fully ripe. You can speed up this process even more by putting them in a simple paper bag. This rule applies to avocados, kiwis, mango apricots, peaches, and plums. Also, if you want to ripen the avocado as soon as possible and you don’t want to wait for it to ripen on its own, put a banana in a paper bag along with the avocado ”, advises V. Juodkazienė.

Fresh herbs: dill, parsley or mint are best kept submerged in water in the refrigerator. The exception is basil, when soaked in water it is better to keep it on the windowsill to receive the shooting light. If there is not enough space in the refrigerator, the stems of the herbs can be wrapped in a paper or cloth towel moistened with water; it will provide moisture and the herbs will stay fresh longer.

To make it easier for you to remember how to store any veggie, berry, or fruit, the food expert offers a short note:

At room temperature. This is the best way to store tomatoes. After picking the tomato, up to 100 more chemical reactions take place in it, and the tomato kept at room temperature continues to ripen and mature. Mangoes, plums, peaches, pears, apricots, persimmons, bananas, citrus or avocados can be ripened at room temperature in a brown paper bag, and when ripe it is best to put them in the refrigerator.

In the refridgerator. Here it is better to stick to apples. Asparagus is also suitable for storage in the refrigerator, it is better to put it in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp paper towel, so that it remains crisp for longer. Carrots, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, and lettuce are also best stored in the refrigerator. It is advisable to store various berries in the refrigerator: grapes, blueberries, strawberries. True, it is better to leave the berries in the boxes in which they were sold and wash, only before eating.

In a cool, dry place. Onions, garlic, or potatoes are best stored in a cool, dry place rather than in the refrigerator. The same rule applies to bananas or aubergines, which should generally be eaten within a few days of purchase.