Home & Garden
5 ways to make your groceries last longer
Food waste is a massive problem in New Zealand, but thankfully there are some measures you can take to do your part in preventing it.
One of the best ways to cut back on how much you’re throwing out is by storing your groceries correctly and effectively from the moment you return from the shops. We’ve all stood in front of a fridge and realized just how much food we’ve wasted through improper storage. Here are a few tips for preventing this from happening and making your groceries last longer.
- Bread – Bread constantly going mouldy? It’s probably because you’re storing it somewhere damp. Bread will keep longest in a bread bin or similar. You can also freeze it to keep it for a much longer period.
- Berries – Been removing your strawberries from the punnet? Don’t! Punnets that house berries are designed to prevent ethylene gas (the stuff that cause fruit to ripen and eventually rot) from becoming trapped. Removing your berries and popping them in an airtight container will actually make them spoil faster as the gas has nowhere to go.
- Apples – Apples can be kept in the fridge or on the benchtop but wherever you keep them, make sure you inspect regularly. One moudly apple can actually spoil the whole bowl/crisper as it will release huge amounts of ethylene gas. If you notice an apple on the turn, bin it immediately!
- Celery – We’ve all bought a bunch only to find it soggy and wilted 25 hours later. The best way to store celery is actually to wrap the whole thing, top to bottom, in foil! Wrap and pop it in the fridge for longer lasting crunchy fronds.
- Tomato paste – It’s always frustrating having to open a whole tin of tomato paste when all you require is a tablespoon or two. Make the rest last longer by popping it into an ice cube tray and freezing. That way, you can pop out a cube whenever you need a small amount, rather than having to open a whole tin.
What’s your best food saving tip? Share with us in the comments below.
Related links:
7 things you didn’t know your rice cooker could do
6 ways to reduce household waste
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