10 tricks to better preserve food in the refrigerator

Overflowing refrigerators have two drawbacks and one advantage . In addition to the comfort that it implies, the positive part is the lower carbon footprint that implies going to buy twice or that the truck that brings the order to our house has to do it more times. Unfortunately, however, there is little more to celebrate.

In addition to the fact that the refrigerator will have more problems to maintain a certain temperature, that is, it will use more energy, the air will also circulate with great difficulty. In other words, higher energy consumption and worse food preservation. As with so many other things, in the middle we will find virtue.

Pizzas, yogurts, meat, fish, eggs or cold cuts packaged in trays, among a myriad of products sold in cardboard, polystyrene, plastic and other packaging must be stripped to enter the fridge. Some of us will return to put them in containers, this time in tuppers (better made of glass for visibility and safety) or in cheese boxes, let’s say.

We will improve the hygienic and sanitary safety of our refrigerator, as the containers carry contamination by contact during transport and handling, while we will lighten the refrigerator. The air will circulate better and we will consume less energy.

The eggs are not refrigerated in the store, but we must. The reason is simple: in the supermarket they are kept at room temperature to avoid costs and not subject them to a sudden change in temperature when the consumer takes them away.

In any case, if we prefer the egg cup of a lifetime, let’s consume them quickly. They will hold out for a few days without problem, as the main problem with the eggs is the temperature fluctuations. Its packaging, the typical egg cups , are a source of pollution, and the same is true of the shell. We do not wash them before consuming them or when storing them. Its surface is porous and we would be introducing dirt inside it.

Keeping the refrigerator sanitized is mandatory if we want to reduce the burden of pathogens in its atmosphere and surfaces. It will be enough to do a deep cleaning once a month and each time a product is passed. The bicarbonate mixed with water, vinegar and lemon green products are very effective to keep microorganisms stripe.

The butter lasts a long time without problems. However, its aroma can be seriously affected if it is not properly stored. If we want to avoid it, let’s keep it in an airtight container. It will be much more effective than simply wrapping paper or placing it, so beautifully, on a plate. In this way, it will act as a sponge and will absorb odors and pollution at full speed. Unless we want a butter with a sardine or garlic aroma , it is better to cover it.

Outside packaging, and inside the cheese factory. Something similar to butter happens with cheeses. They absorb odors and lose organoleptic qualities in a matter of hours. In addition, this way we will prevent it from drying out if the refrigerator is not frost.

Fish should be stored separately, in the coldest area. The frigos minimally modern often have a space dedicated to it which is handy. We will avoid odors and cross contamination if we use closed containers.

Like fish, it is a fresh, short-lived product that requires colder than other foods. It will also be better in your tupperware. If we refrigerate the meat or fish once cooked, we can store them in a less cold area of ​​the refrigerator. Let’s prevent the contact between raw and cooked food and avoid cross contamination.

Inside the fridge, fruits and vegetables should not be stacked to maximize their shelf life. In this way, the air will circulate better. Therefore, less quantity will be better.

Keep in mind that fruits can last out of the fridge for a long time. The term will depend on the type of fruit in question, but all of them will end up losing their nutritional quality if they are left too long. The cold helps us to control the proliferation of pathogens, so we have to find a balance between keeping them outside or inside the fridge.

Some fruits such as pineapple, bananas and other typically tropical fruits will suffer more in the refrigerator and, in general, many types of fruit will lose their organoleptic qualities in the refrigerator. They will do it progressively, with which we can adjust the quantities that we buy to their ripening and consumption times .

If we want tomatoes to taste like tomatoes, let’s not abuse the cold. The ideal plan would be to leave them out of the fridge . They will hold perfectly for a few days. It will depend on how ripe they are and on the temperature and storage conditions of the jewelry or fruit bowl, let’s say, but in general they hold up perfectly if we make a weekly purchase.

But why are tomatoes a case apart? Botanically they are a fruit, not a vegetable, and in practice this means that they require special storage conditions. If we put them in the fridge, they will easily lose their flavor and aroma. On the contrary, let’s leave them at room temperature and that is how we will enjoy them. Above all, it would be a shame not to do it when they are organic, usually much more fragrant and tasty …

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