5 ways to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for as long as possible

A recently published report found that on average in Europe and North America, the average consumer throws away between 95 and 115 kg. food per year. The majority of them are fruits and vegetables.

Although the price of most food products in Bulgaria has remained unchanged in recent years, these data are disturbing. There are several reasons for food waste, but often it is due to spoiled fruits and vegetables.

Each of us is able to reduce food waste, while at the same time saving funds from the already limited family budget of the average Bulgarian.

To this end, you can follow these simple tips to keep fruits and vegetables fresh and edible for longer.

1. Keep them dry

Most of us are tempted to get organized and wash all our fruits and vegetables as soon as we buy them.

But moisture stimulates the formation of molds, which make fruits and vegetables inedible in a short time. It is best to wash vegetables and fruits immediately before using them.

However, if it is absolutely necessary to wash them before putting them in the fridge, dry them with clean kitchen towels.

But, you should keep in mind that if you don’t wash the fruits and vegetables before putting them in the fridge, you risk contaminating other foods and bringing on the insidious infection caused by the plague bacterium – yersiniosis. About a year ago, several dozen cases of the bacterial infection were registered in Bulgaria.

2. Don’t be afraid to freeze vegetables

Most people avoid freezing fruits and vegetables because they think that storing them in sub-zero temperatures will ruin their taste and lose their health benefits. strong>

Some fruits and vegetables need to be frozen in a certain way. For example, you can freeze the following vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, kale, green beans, carrots and many more without worry.

But before freezing, you must not forget to blanch the vegetables in boiling water to stop the action of the enzyme that stimulates their ripening.

3. Refresh vegetables and fruits in ice water

If you think that the lettuce leaves have lost their freshness, you can refresh them by soaking them in ice water. To do this, put the lettuce leaves in a bowl of water and ice cubes and leave them for a few minutes.

Then take them out of the water and you will find that they have regained their former freshness.

4. Store bananas separately

Bananas release ethylene, which can cause other fruits and vegetables to spoil quickly. If you want to keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer, store them as far as possible from bananas and other ethylene-releasing fruits and vegetables, such as avocados.

Alternatively, if you want fruits and vegetables to ripen faster, place them near bananas, but not too much, as they will take on the banana flavor.

5. If you have the opportunity or are planning to buy a new refrigerator, choose one with antibacterial protection.

This type of refrigerator is equipped with a special protective coating on the inner surface, as well as the door seals.

When you store them in them, your fruits and vegetables will stay fresh for a significantly longer time. And you’ll save money because you won’t have to throw them away if you can’t eat them or use them to make dishes.