We all know the benefits of including fruit and vegetables in our diets, and a lot of us try hard to reach our 5 a day!
Most people usually shop for several days’ worth of groceries at a time. It can be frustrating that fresh vegetables do not stay fresh or last for very long and have such short life spans. Even storing them in a cool area, sometimes they can go off long before you have had a chance to use them.
It is important to note as well that not all vegetables are the same, and so there is not one single best way to store them all.
So, what can you do to extend the shelf life of your fresh produce?
- Do not wash your vegetables before storage: storing vegetables while they are still wet will make them more susceptible to bacterial growth.
- Leafy greens in storage bags: vegetables such as lettuce, spinach or kale need to retain their natural moisture. A bag can help. Wrapping them in a paper towel so that excess moisture is not absorbed by the leaves can also help extend their life span.
- Root vegetables need air: carrots, beets and turnips can be placed in plastic bags with a few holes in them. This allows for air to flow without too much moisture escaping.
- Potatoes like the dark: keep your potatoes out of the fridge and store them in a cool dark place, preferably in a paper bag.
- Avoid direct sunlight: vegetables such as tomatoes are best kept at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Do not store them in the fridge; when exposed to cold temperatures they lose their taste and texture quickly.
It is also important to keep your vegetables and fruit separate from each other. The reason for this is because many fruits produce a gas called ethylene, which accelerates the ripening process of other fruits and vegetables nearby. With vegetables, faster ripening means shorter life spans and waste.
M&P Engineering has over 50 years’ experience in designing, manufacturing, and installing food processing equipment across the globe. Our equipment is used by major food manufacturers worldwide.
Our food processing equipment has fresh cut produce in mind, and we develop new technology constantly to meet the increasing demand for fresh cut fruit and vegetables.
M&P’s Carousel Grid Cutting machine is as versatile as they come! It can cut fruit and vegetables into fries, batons, wedges, petals, and slices and can produce up to 4,800 pieces per hour. You can learn more about it here.
Our most popular piece of equipment is the Large Onion Peeling machine. It features a unique dry peeling process, eliminating the production of waste slurry. Our Large Onion Peeler uses self-adjusting knife assemblies to top, tail and peel onions of different sizes and shapes. Learn more about it here.
For more information about M&P’s food processing equipment, click here or call +44 0161 872 8378.