Salad greens such as lettuce have quite a short shelf life, up to three or four days if unopened. However, as soon as the packet is opened or the lettuce is cut into, it can drop to one or two days before the lettuce turns brown and soggy.
This can be extremely frustrating and result in food waste, but according to the Wheeldon Brothers, there is a simple hack that can help keep lettuce fresh for “30 days”. The experts said: “Wrapping freshly bought lettuce in tin foil before placing it in the fridge can extend its shelf life significantly – up to 30 days.
“This clever trick helps to regulate moisture and airflow, preventing those pesky brown spots that often plague salad greens.”
Whether you’ve purchased romaine, little gem or iceberg, try this hack to extend the freshness of your leaves.
It’s also important to make use of the crisper drawer at the bottom of your fridge when it comes to salad greens.
This is often the coldest part of the fridge, which helps to maintain the freshness of fruit and vegetables.
However, lettuce isn’t the only salad item you can keep fresher for longer. The experts noted: “For instance, spring onions and asparagus thrive when stored in a glass with a little water and loosely covered with a plastic bag, lasting up to two weeks.”
When it comes to cucumbers, it’s important to steer clear of the fridge, despite many thinking it’ll keep the salad item fresh and crunchy.
The pros recommended storing them in a plastic bag with holes for ventilation and placing them in a cool spot in the kitchen to maintain their crispness.
Tomatoes and potatoes are better outside the fridge, too, according to experts who say, “Keeping them at room temperature helps preserve their flavour and texture.”
For herbs, a handy trick is to wet a paper towel, roll the herbs in it and store them in a zip-lock bag in the fridge.
This nifty method will help to keep herbs “fresh and vibrant” to top your salad, or use in other dishes.