Learning how to store fruits and vegetables is a simple thing, but making sure that they are stored properly can keep them fresh longer for you to be able to use. This post will help dive into the different ways to store fruits and vegetables and why that's important.
What are different places where produce should be stored?
- Fruits and vegetables can be stored in:
- A cool, dark place
- At room temperature
- In the refrigerator
Why are produce stored in different places (such as the fridge or counter)?
There are a few different reasons as to why you might store a fruit or vegetable at room temperature. It may be to maintain flavor, color, and texture. It also might be to help ripen the fruit.
What fruits do you not store together?
Fruits produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that regulates the plant’s growth and development, which causes the fruit to ripen. The effect it has on produce is to cause them to ripen faster or go bad.
- Don’t store high ethylene gas producing produce together
- Don’t store a high ethylene gas producing and an ethylene sensitive produce together
High ethylene production | Ethylene sensitive produce |
Apples | Broccoli |
Apricots | Brussels Sprouts |
Avocados | Cabbage |
Bananas | Cauliflower |
Melons | Cucumber |
Nectarines | Leafy Vegetables |
Peaches | Lettuce |
Pears | Pumpkins |
Plums | Spinach |
Tomatoes | Squash |
What produce should be stored in a cool, dark place?
These things should be stored away from direct sunlight, where it’s dry, and well-ventilated.
- Garlic
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
What produce should be stored at room temperature?
Fruits | Vegetables |
Apples (If needed to store less than 7 days) | Cucumber |
Bananas | Eggplant |
Citrus Fruits | Peppers |
Melons | Pumpkins |
Pineapple | Tomatoes |
Pomegranates | Winter Squash |
How should produce be stored at room temperature?
They should be kept out of direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated area, and only washed just before using.
What produce should ripen at room temperature, then be stored in the refrigerator?
- Avocados
- Kiwi
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
What produce should be stored in the refrigerator?
Fruits | Vegetables |
Apples (if needed to store more than 7 days) | Artichokes |
Apricots | Asparagus |
Asian Pears | Green Beans |
Berries | Beets |
Cherries | Broccoli |
Grapes | Brussels Sprouts |
Cabbage | |
Carrots | |
Cauliflower | |
Celery | |
Leafy Vegetables | |
Peas | |
Radishes | |
Summer Squash | |
Sweet Corn |
How should produce be stored in the refrigerator?
- Place fruits and vegetables in separate, perforated or mesh bags
- Place fruits in one drawer and vegetables in another to minimize effects of ethylene gas.
Here are some of my favorite fruit recipes:
Here are some of my favorite vegetable recipes:
- How to Cook Asparagus on the Stovetop
- Easy Baked Butternut Squash Recipe
- Roasted Carrots
- How to Bake a Potato
And there you have it! One very full guide on how to store fruit and vegetables, where to store it, what to not store together and more. I hope you found it helpful and informative!
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