Salad is a really tasty way to cool down in summer and try and be a little healthier, but certain toppings like cucumbers often spoil become people are not storing them properly. In the UK, cucumbers are often sold tightly wrapped in plastic, but because they contain so much water, this can trap moisture and make them very vulnerable to bacterial growth.
This will make cucumbers quickly turn slimy, mushy and even mouldy before you have a chance to eat them so you more likely to waste money throwing out food. However, the food storage experts at Mill has shared it is very simple to keep your cucumbers fresh, as all you need is a few minutes and a paper towel.
The expert said: “Wrapping your washed and dried cucumber(s) in paper towels before placing them in a zip top plastic bag will help absorb any excess moisture and prevent condensation from accumulating on the outside of the cucumber, which can lead to early spoilage.”
Cucumbers release a lot of moisture through their skin so the key to keeping them fresh is to keep their environment dry and airy.
Storing cucumbers with a paper towel, or even a tea towel, will soak up any of the excess water leaking from the vegetable so they will stay fresh longer than spoiling after a day or two.
However, you should always wash cucumbers before you store them in your fridge, as any bacteria on their surface will cause spoilage.
All you need to do is run your cucumbers under a tap for a minute, then pat them with a paper towel to make sure they are completely dry before storing them.
Then, wrap your cucumbers in a paper towel and store in a open container ot at the bottom of your crispier drawer.
It should also be important to note that cucumbers should never be stored next to tomatoes, and although they go great together in a salad they can also speed up the ripening process.
Tomatoes produce a gas called ethylene, which helps fruit become more flavourful as it ripens. However, ethylene can also affect certain vegetables and cause them to spoil before their time.
If you simply wrap up your cucumbers and keep them far away from tomatoes in your fridge, then you can greatly extend their shelf life so you can enjoy a crisp salad without worrying about food waste.
