Cucumbers provide a crisp addition to sandwiches or salads during summer, yet they’re frequently discarded because most people don’t understand proper storage methods. Whilst it seems logical that salads belong in the fridge, cucumbers are surprisingly vulnerable to cold temperatures and will deteriorate rapidly, reports the Express.
When cucumbers encounter temperatures beneath 10C, they suffer chilling damage. This occurs when the vegetable starts deteriorating and becomes bruised, withered, and potentially slimy. Nevertheless, Marzia, a chef and creator of Little Spice Jar, has revealed a simple method to preserve cucumbers: a metal spoon.
Marzia explained, “Add [cucumbers] to a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Add a metal spoon to the same container. Snap the lid on the container and place it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.”
Whilst it may seem odd, a metal spoon maintains steady temperatures around cucumbers, enabling them to remain fresh considerably longer. Simply place the cucumbers in a container alongside a metal spoon.
Adding a paper towel to absorb surplus moisture also proves beneficial.
Subsequently, position the container on your fridge’s upper or middle shelf.
This area typically remains the warmest section of the fridge and provides optimal temperatures to prevent cucumber spoilage. Avoid storing cucumbers at the back of a fridge or near the freezer vent, as the extreme cold can cause chilling injuries.
Additionally, keep cucumbers separate from tomatoes, which release ethylene gas, leading to rapid spoilage.
Ethylene gas is an unseen and odourless gas that aids in fruit ripening and flavour development. However, when it accumulates excessively in a confined space, it prompts nearby produce to decay.
By taking just two minutes to store cucumbers correctly, they can remain perfectly fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks longer than usual.