Long life groceries

It is a pity when fruit and vegetables get soft and mushy before you’ve had a chance to enjoy them. Fortunately, we’ve dug out some handy tips for keeping your 5+ a day fresh for as long as possible.

Greens

Greens wilt quickly, so to keep them in top condition in the fridge, rinse and dry your greens thoroughly, then place them in a bowl. Layer a paper towel on top of your greens, then seal tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Replace the paper towel throughout the week as it becomes damp (it’s absorbing moisture from the greens!).

Celery and broccoli will last longer if they are wrapped in tin foil – cut and rinse them, pat dry and wrap tightly.

Extend the life of your asparagus, coriander and parsley by trimming the stalks and sitting them in a jar of water in the fridge. For maximum storage, sit a small plastic bag over the top of them.

Berries

Fresh berries are just starting to become plentiful for the season again (yahoo!) – but all too often, the ones at the bottom of the punnet end up mushy. To avoid this, mix 1/2 cup of white or apple cider vinegar in five cups of water. Add the berries, mix thoroughly, then drain the berries and let them dry completely.

Bananas

Every family has a preference for how they like their bananas – if the sight of a black spot renders bananas “yuck’ in your household, did you know you make your bananas ripen more slowly using plastic food wrap?

Cut a long, thin strip of plastic wrap – then wind it around the crown of the banana bunch. You will be able to store them in your fruit bowl for longer.