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Selecting and Storing Fresh Produce

August 1, 2016 By Jody Amato

Selecting and Storing Produce_Image

As you bring more fruits and vegetables into your diet, learning how to determine ripeness and store fresh produce properly, and understanding the shelf life of various produce is important. You’ll save money and enjoy perfectly ripened fruits and vegetables.

Fresh fruits and vegetables look beautiful and delicious at the local farmer’s market or grocery store.  So much so, the average person buys much more than they’ll eat before the produce passes its prime. In fact, according to the National Resources Defense Council, the average American family of four wastes up to $2275 annually on discarded food and beverages—twenty-five percent of what we purchase!

The biggest tip when choosing fresh produce is using your senses. How does the item smell and feel?

  • Fruit. A light, sweet smell is a good indicator that the fruit is fresh and ripe. Pick it up—the surface should be smooth and even, with a firm surface, but not rock-hard. Pits and dents under the surface can indicate damage during shipping, or slow rotting. The flesh of the fruit should be firm, but with a little give. Most fruit that’s rock hard is not ripe.
  • Vegetables. Apply the same rules for choosing fruit to vegetables. The vegetable’s surface should be consistent, evenly colored, and firm all the way around. Most vegetables—like cucumbers, peppers, onions, garlic, and potatoes, should be as firm as possible.

Buying locally and in season, directly from local farmers or farmers markets will also allow you to save on costs.  You will support your local community, and it is a great way to ensure the produce is fresh and in season. As you engage and build relationships with local growers, you’ll quickly learn how “just picked yesterday” fruits and vegetables smell, look, and feel.

Some fruits and vegetables continue ripening after they’ve been picked; others don’t.The below chart indicates if you can expect further ripening.

Produce that Ripens After Picking Produce Picked When Ripe
Apples
Apricots
Avocados (ONLY ripen after picking!)
Bananas (will ripen a great deal and can be picked green)
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Mangoes
Nectarines
Papaya
Peaches
Pears
Persimmons
Plums
Tomatoes
Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
Cherries
Citrus (such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit)
Cucumber
Eggplant
Figs
Grapes
Olives
Peppers
Pineapple
Pomegranate
Summer Squash
Watermelon

Storing Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Many fruits and vegetables—like apples, grapes, and onions—can be stored on the countertop. Others should be refrigerated to preserve freshness.

  • Countertop Storage. To keep all countertop-stored produce fresh, store it directly on the countertop, in an uncovered bowl or wire basket, or inside a perforated plastic bag.
  • Refrigeration Storage. Store perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below. If you’re not sure whether an item should be refrigerated to maintain quality, ask your grocer. Also refrigerate pre-cut or peeled produce to maintain both quality and safety. For produce stored in the refrigerator, keep these guidelines in mind.
  • Keep produce in perforated plastic bags in the produce drawer (you can easily punch holes into a plastic bag for this purpose).
  • Store fruits and vegetables separately, in different drawers.
  • To store herbs, snip off the ends and store upright in a glass of water, covered with a plastic bag.

 

Countertop or Refrigerator?

Store on Countertop Store in Refrigerator Store in Cool, Dry Place
Apples
Bananas
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Ginger
Grapefruit
Jicama
Lemons
Limes
Tomatoes
Mangoes
Onions
Oranges
Papaya
Peppers
Persimmons
Pineapple
Plantains
Pomegranates
Watermelon
Artichokes
Asparagus
Beets
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherries
Corn
Grapes
Green beans
Green onions
Kale
Leafy vegetables
Leeks
Lettuce
Lima beans
Mushrooms
Peas
Plums
Radishes
Raspberries
Spinach
Sprouts
Strawberries
Summer squash
Zucchini
Acorn squash
Butternut squash
Onions
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Spaghetti squash
Winter squash

 

How Long Will It Last?

All fruits and vegetables have a specific shelf life; a prime consumption period based on ripeness and storage. The below chart details common vegetables and fruits and how long you can expect them to last after purchasing.

1-2 Days 3-4 Days 5-6 Days 7+ Days
Artichokes
Asparagus
Bananas
Basil
Cherries
Cilantro
Corn
Dill
Green beans
Mushrooms
Strawberries
Watercress
Arugula
Avocados
Bok Choy
Chard
Eggplant
Grapes
Lettuce
Limes
Pineapple
Zucchini
Apricots
Blueberries
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Grapefruit
Leeks
Lemons
Oranges
Oregano
Parsley
Peaches
Pears
Peppers
Plums
Spinach
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Apples
Arugula
Beets
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers
Garlic
Hard Squash
Kale
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes
Radishes
Scallions
Sugar snap peas

 

Jody Amato is a freelance writer and editor and regular contributor to Eating in the Real with Renée TM. To find out more about Jody visit her website at jodyedits.com.

Sources:

  1. Barnes, Liza and Stepfanie Romine. “How to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh.” SparkPeople.com, http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1103.  Accessed August 9, 2015
  2. Henry, Alan. “How to Select Fresh, Ripe Produce.” Lifehacker.com, http://lifehacker.com/5816320/how-to-select-fresh-ripe-produce.  Accessed August 9, 2015
  3. “Raw Produce: Selecting and Serving It Safely. FDA.gov, http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm114299.htm. Accessed August 9, 2015
  4. “How Long Does Fresh Produce Last?” RealSimple.com, http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/fresh-produce. Accessed August 9, 2015
  5. Day, Julie. “Which Fruits and Vegetables Continue to Ripen After Picking?” Today’s Home Owner, http://www.todayshomeowner.com/which-fruits-and-vegetables-continue-to-ripen-after-picking/. Accessed August 9, 2015

Filed Under: Articles, Healthy Lifestyle Tagged With: Eating in the, Eating in the Real, food spoilage, food storage, food waste, fruit and veggies, selecting produce, storing produce

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