Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable foods and are susceptible to rotting when bruised and damp. Once bruised, if exposed to prolonged moisture, they will quickly turn mushy and spoil. This is especially true for leafy vegetables and fruits, where even a small amount of rot can spread rapidly. To prevent this, try the following tips:
Dry your fruits and vegetables
Before storing your produce, shake or pat them dry to remove any excess water, especially rainwater or tap water. During rainy and flooded conditions, the high humidity can accelerate bacterial growth, causing the vegetables to rot faster. Consider using a paper towel to absorb any remaining moisture on the leaves before placing them in a bag and storing them in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Ensure your produce is dry before storage
Hang them up, avoiding compression
If your refrigerator is full, and you still need to store fruits and vegetables, try hanging them up instead of placing them on the ground or in cramped spaces. By reducing their contact with the floor or other surfaces, you can minimize the chances of moisture accumulation and bacterial infiltration, thus keeping them fresher for longer. Alternatively, while hanging may cause the produce to wilt faster, it prevents bruising and rotting, ensuring they remain edible during times of scarcity.
Wrap them in banana leaves
When running out of refrigerator space, consider wrapping your fruits and vegetables in banana leaves. Banana leaves are a natural and effective way to preserve produce, offering antioxidant and moisture-retaining properties. Ensure your produce is thoroughly dried, then wrap them in banana leaves, adding an extra layer of protection with newspaper if possible.
Banana leaves help keep produce fresh for longer
Avoid piercing or stacking produce
When storing, avoid letting the stems or tips of fruits and vegetables pierce or press against each other, as this can cause bruising and accelerate rotting. Keep them away from hot stoves, as the warmth and moisture can promote spoilage. Instead, opt for a cool, well-ventilated area, with hanging as the preferred method to reduce contact.
For refrigerator storage, use plastic bags, but for room-temperature storage, avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and heat, leading to quicker spoilage.
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