We’ve all been there – excited about a grocery haul full of vibrant fruits and vegetables, only to find them wilted or spoiled just days later. The secret to avoiding that disappointment? Storing your produce the right way!
There’s more to storing your produce than you might think, and our experts at Millar's of Bay City can help! We’ll show the proper techniques, so you can enjoy crisp, juicy fruit, leafy greens, and crunch, veggies at their peak freshness!
Fruits and Vegetables That Should Be Refrigerated
The fridge is your best friend for certain items when keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh. Cold temperatures help slow spoilage and keep produce from wilting or over-ripening too quickly. Here’s a list of fruits and veggies that absolutely thrive in cooler environments:
1. Berries
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) are delicate and prone to mold if left out. Storing them in the fridge is essential to keep them fresh and sweet for longer. The trick? Keep them unwashed until you’re ready to eat them. This avoids excess moisture, which can cause them to spoil faster.
2. Grapes
Grapes love the cold! They stay crisp and juicy when refrigerated. For best results, keep them in a breathable container or perforated bag to ensure airflow. Like berries, hold off on washing them until right before eating to maintain their freshness.
3. Leafy Greens
If you want to avoid wilted, soggy greens, the fridge is a must! Leafy greens (like spinach, kale, lettuce) need the cool, high-humidity environment of the crisper drawer to stay crisp. Try wrapping them in a slightly damp paper towel or storing them in a breathable bag to prevent moisture build-up.
4. Carrots
Carrots may be hardy, but they still need the fridge to stay crunchy. Keeping them in the crisper drawer will help prevent them from drying out. For even better storage, remove the leafy tops to keep the carrots from losing moisture.
5. Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cauliflower thrive in cold temps. They’ll last longer in the fridge, maintaining their crunch and nutrient content. Make sure to store them in a loose, breathable bag to avoid excess moisture and mold.
6. Citrus Fruits
While citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes) can hang out on the counter for a few days, the fridge helps them last longer by slowing down the ripening process. If you want juicy, flavorful oranges, lemons, and limes that last, store them in the crisper drawer or a separate fridge shelf.
7. Certain Herbs
Soft, leafy herbs like parsley, cilantro, and mint benefit from the cold. Refrigeration helps preserve their freshness and aroma. A great hack? Store them upright in a glass of water with their stems submerged, and loosely cover with a plastic bag. Be sure to change the water regularly to keep them at their best!
Optimizing Your Fridge for Fresh Produce
You’ve got the right fruits and veggies in the fridge – now it’s time to make sure they stay fresh as long as possible! With a few easy tweaks to your fridge setup, you can create the ideal environment to keep your produce crisp and delicious.
- Set the right temperature: Keep your fridge between 37°F and 40°F to slow down ripening without freezing your produce.
- Use crisper drawers smartly: High humidity is great for leafy greens, broccoli, and other veggies that need moisture to stay fresh. Low humidity is perfect for fruits like grapes, and citrus that prefer less moisture to stay crisp.
- Allow for airflow: Avoid overcrowding your produce and use breathable bags or containers to let air circulate. This helps prevent mold and sogginess.
- Manage moisture levels: Wrap leafy greens in a slightly damp paper towel or use perforated bags to balance moisture, keeping greens fresh without turning soggy.
- Separate ethylene-producing fruits: Apples, citrus, and other fruits emit ethylene gas, which can speed up vegetable spoilage. Keep them apart to extend freshness.
Master the Art of Freshness
There you have it: the best tips and practices for keeping your produce in the fridge and out of the food waste bin! But if your current fridge is still suffering, don’t worry; our selection of refrigerators at Millar's of Bay City has got you covered.
And if you have any questions, our freshness experts are here to answer any questions to help you get the perfect fridge!