We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Your salad vegetables might typically find their home in the fridge. However, according to science, some of these fruits and vegetables are actually better suited to a mild environment. In fact, keeping the likes of cucumbers, tomatoes and onions out of your fridge could help to increase their life span.
According to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, if cucumbers are stored below 10C for more than three days, they can get “cold injury”. The symptoms of this include wateriness, pitting and even faster decay.
Instead, cucumbers need a shaded, cool environment away from direct sunlight. Based on this theory, it is better to keep cucumbers in the cupboard, rather than the vegetable crisper in your fridge.
According to experts from Food52, cucumbers should not be stored near fruits such as avocados, tomatoes or melons. This is because such fruits give off ethylene gas as they ripen.
They explained: “The cucumbers are more likely to yellow quickly due to the exposure of ethylene gas. Although not harmful, ethylene is a gas that is released from fruits and vegetables that causes produce to ripen more quickly.”
READ MORE: Keep strawberries fresh for 10 days with simple food storage hack
Tomatoes are another salad fruit which should be stored at room temperature, according to experts. Experts from The Neff Kitchen say refrigeration can “affect the taste, texture and aroma of your tomatoes”.
Taste of Home explains that these red fruits prefer to be kept in a cool, dark place, out of the sunlight.
Warm rays coming in through your window will only act to speed up the ripening process. However, tomatoes stored in the fridge are likely to last up to one week longer than those kept in the cupboard.
DON’T MISS
Tip to keep veg and lettuce fresh – ‘smartest decision I’ve ever made’ [COMMENT]
Meghan Markle’s ‘bulletproof’ smile drops with Kate & Will – pictures [PHOTOS]
Best way to store strawberries – clever trick to make them last longer [INSIGHT]
According to the National Onion Association (NOA), onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated room, such as a pantry, cellar, basement or garage.
Healthline explained: “This is because they easily absorb moisture. If temperatures or humidity are too high, they may start to sprout or rot.”
Onions can last up to two months when stored in a cupboard or at cool room temperature.
READ NEXT:
Iced coffee recipe: One-minute method for an ‘instant’ summer drink
Why you should never boil rice – correct way to cook rice
Food hack: Avoid keeping butter in door compartment of fridge
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.
3 salad fruits and vegetables you should never store in the fridge – Express
