Where Do You Store Produce In Your Fridge For Maximum Shelf Life?

July 29 2010

Americans throw out 14 percent of the food they buy -- and that's before factoring in the leftover food you scrape from your plate. Mint Life offers the following tips for extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables:

Apples

Store them on the counter for seven days. Don't keep them near other uncovered fruits or vegetables -- the ethylene gases produced by apples can ruin them.

Asparagus

Store them upright in the refrigerator in a plastic bag in an inch of water, or with a damp towel wrapped around the base.

Berries

Refrigerate berries, unwashed and in their original container.

Cauliflower

Refrigerate them stem side down in a sealed plastic bag.

Celery

Keep it in the front of the refrigerator, where it's less apt to freeze.

Garlic

Store it in the pantry, or any location away from heat and light. It'll last up to four months.

Peaches

Let them ripen on the counter in a paper bag punched with holes, away from sunlight.

Summer squash

Refrigerate it in a perforated plastic bag.

Tomatoes

Spread them out on the counter out of direct sunlight for even ripening.

For the complete list, please see the Source link: 

     http://www.mint.com/blog/saving/sto...-07072010/ 

I didn't know that about apples, but it makes sense.  I have a bowl that I keep apples in on the counter.  If they are alone, they will last much longer.  But, sometimes I will toss a few other fruits into the bowl, maybe some oranges or bananas.  Yep, they do seem to spoil much faster!

My experience is that if I keep fruit/veggies in Tupperware containers in the fridge they last longer.

tHANKS FOR YOUR NICE TiPs