FRESH PRODUCE.PH

Fresh Produce Storage Hacks
							
"Rainy season can bring about more humidity and moisture than usual, especially on our part of the world. And while water is beneficial for the growth and development of of crops such as fruits and vegetables, it can affect the quality and shelf life of your produce once they reach your home. 

This is why proper storage is very important. Especially for perishable goods, which is a lot more beneficial to our bodies than all those canned, jarred and processed food. 

Given our name, you'll know that keeping your produce fresh is on our top priority. Here are some fresh produce storage hacks that can come in handy this time of year.

1. Freeze fresh herbs such as basil, parsley and wansoy in olive oil on an ice tray to extend the shelf life from 3 days to 3 months. 

2. Some fruits and vegetables emit a gas called ethylene that can make any produce stored beside it ripen way too fast â€” but you can slow that process by SEPARATING the following:
Apples and oranges
Onions and potatoes
Bananas and cucumber
Mangoes and lemons/calamansi

3. Do not store tomatoes in the refrigerator
Instead, store in room temperature away from other fruits and vegetables to preserve its flavor. 

4. Store cut carrots, celery, and, asparagus in water
Storing these vegetables in the plastic they usually come with isn't wise and will just make them rot faster. Instead, cut them up into sticks and submerge them in water in an airtight container. 

5. Pickle, pickle, pickle!
From garlic, to onions, tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, radish and even fruits like mangoes and papaya, pickling them in equal parts water and vinegar with some salt and sugar. These make for good palette cleansers.

6. Too much bananas, not enough time?
Buying bananas in bulk can be hard as they all ripen at the same time. Instead of throwing out overripe, brown bananas, freeze them or use them for baking. They may not look good but it actually tastes really sweet and is perfect for smoothies and desserts like pancakes and banana bread.

7. Make your berries last longer
Extend the shelf life of strawberries and blueberries by a couple of days by washing them in a solution of one cup vinegar to three cups water. Let them soak briefly; then gently rinse in a colander. The vinegar will hinder the mold growth.

8. Keep lettuce and leafy greens fresh for longer 
Refrigerate them in a covered container wrapped in paper towels.

The zero waste lifestyle can also be applied to food. In fact, it is the easiest way we can put sustainability into practice.

Remember, food is our most basic need. 

Eliminating food waste is one of the most effective solutions for climate change on a global scale."