Most of us would confess we ought to be consuming more fruit and veg than we actually manage to.
But when your beloved fruits appear to develop mould just days after bringing them back from the shops, how can you possibly achieve your five-a-day without breaking the bank?
Berries rank amongst the worst offenders for spoiling rapidly.
Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries feature amongst Britain’s favourite fruits for snacking or enhancing breakfasts and smoothies, yet they’re susceptible to turning mushy and mouldy just days after purchase.
However, one chef and content creator has revealed a simple trick for ensuring your berries remain fresh for at least seven days in the refrigerator.
Tue Nguyen shared an Instagram video showcasing multiple food storage tricks to help you maximise your shopping, reduce waste, and save cash.
1. Berries
Tue began by rinsing her mixed berries in a bowl. She placed the berries into a bowl, filled it with water, then added a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, which assists in eliminating pesticides and grime from the fruit’s exterior.
She subsequently placed the berries in a salad spinner to “dry them completely”.
The crucial step followed: She lined a container with kitchen roll before adding the berries, providing them with a cushioned base that would prevent them from being knocked about against the plastic while absorbing surplus moisture.
Tue maintained that storing berries in the fridge in this manner will ensure they last “at least a week.” She added: “If you don’t finish them within a week, then one, you need to eat more fruit, but two, you can freeze them for smoothies.”
2. Herbs and leafy greens
The chef replicated the same steps for her herbs and other vegetables such as spring onions and lettuce. She initially washed them thoroughly in water, then dried them and wrapped them in a paper towel before placing them in the fridge.
3. Citrus fruits and tomatoes
For lemons, limes, oranges, and other citrus fruits, Tue stated they should never be kept in the fridge. Instead, she placed them in a traditional fruit bowl, but kept them separated from other fruits like apples and bananas.
This is because fruits like bananas emit a gas that can cause other fruits to ripen more quickly, meaning your oranges will spoil faster.
According to Tue, tomatoes should never be stored in the fridge. She also mentioned that this rule applies to onions, potatoes, and other root vegetables.
4. Avocado
Lastly, Tue advised that you should store your avocado in the fridge – but only once it’s ripe. If you put an unripe avocado in the fridge, you’ll slow the ripening process so much that the fruit will never be ripe enough to eat.
She said: “Place it in the fridge as soon as it ripens. Don’t put it in if it’s not ripe, though, or you’ll have an unripe avocado forever.”
Viewers of Tue’s video were astounded by her hacks. Many admitted they had been storing their fruit and veg incorrectly all this time, and expressed excitement to try out her tips and tricks.
One individual commented: “This series is saving my life and my bank account.”
Another remarked: “Now it makes sense why my unripe avocado is still as unripe as ever.”
A third posted: “What an absolute gem! Thank you!”
