The fridge isn't everything: 5 simple tips to keep food fresh longer
We often think that everything happens in the fridge. That it's THE magical place where everything is preserved, where time is suspended. Except... not really. Yes, the cold helps, but without the right gestures around it, your vegetables, leftovers or bread can end up in the garbage can sooner than you think.
How about getting back to basics? Here are 5 simple but super-effective reflexes to give your food a real boost - and your budget, by the way ;)
1. Don't overload your fridge
We want to fit everything in, we pile it up, we wedge it in as best we can... but an overfilled fridge means a fridge that doesn't ventilate properly. The cold air no longer circulates properly, the zones are no longer at the right temperature, and some foods suffer from these little imbalances.
The trick: leave a little space between products, put them in their proper place (meat and fish at the bottom, vegetables in the bin, dairy products in the middle), and remember to sort once a week!
2. Don't put everything in the fridge (really)
Not everything that's fresh needs to be refrigerated. For example, tomatoes, bananas, avocados (when unripe), potatoes or onions. Tomatoes, bananas, avocados (when unripe), potatoes or onions. Cold alters their taste and texture... and even accelerates their deterioration.
Tip: store certain fruits and vegetables at room temperature, in a dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct light. And keep an eye on the "culprits" of accelerated ripening, such as apples and kiwis, which give off ethylene.
3. Keep leftovers cool... but not hot
A hot dish straight from the fridge? Not a good idea. It heats up everything inside, disrupts the cold chain and can encourage the proliferation of bacteria. But don't leave it out too long either...
Here's the trick: let it cool at room temperature for up to 1 hour, then chill it in an airtight container. And you've got a leftover that holds up (and will still be good for lunch tomorrow).
4. Use the right containers
Poorly packed food in the fridge dries out, picks up odors and loses its freshness. Open plastic bags, poorly applied cling film, leaky cans... these are all enemies of good taste and good preservation.
Tip: invest in a few hermetically sealed or reusable glass containers (such as silicone or waxed fabric), and avoid single-use plastic. It's better for the planet - and for your fridge.
5. Manage your openings and "oversights" better
An opened jar of sauce, an opened tub of cheese... which you forget behind a yoghurt. Result: you rediscover it three weeks later. The famous science of "how good was it again?"
The trick: add a small label with the opening date (a simple marker on the lid does the trick), and group opened products together in a dedicated basket. At a glance, you can see what needs to be eaten first. No more dubious discoveries at the back of the fridge!
In short: cold is good. But doing the right thing is even better!
The fridge is an excellent ally... as long as you give it a little help. With a few simple habits, you can avoid waste, extend the life of your food and enjoy yourself for longer.
And, between you and me, it's always a pleasure to open the fridge and see that everything is still tidy, well-packaged and tasty ;)
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