Fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most commonly wasted foods, often due to buying too much or not using them quickly enough. Proper storage is key to maximising freshness, flavour, and preventing waste.
Storing fruits properly can definitely help them last longer and reduce food waste. A big key factor in the storage of fruit is Ethylene Gas - some fruits like bananas, avocados, and tomatoes release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. Storing these separately from other produce can prevent them from causing others to ripen too quickly.
Temperature is another key factor. Some fruits are best stored at room temperature, whilst others are best refrigerated.
Here's our top Money Saving Tips on how to store fruit correctly, help reduce food waste and how to ultimately save you money!
✨ Fruit Tip #1 - Grapes 🍇 ✨
Do you often have to throw away neglected grapes that have somehow found their way to the back of the fridge? Follow our tip for fresh grapes you want to munch on straight away!
Grapes spoil quickly at room temperature, so always store them in the fridge. However, avoid plastic bags or airtight containers, as grapes need air circulation.
💡 SuperSavvy Tip! Before placing your punnet of grapes in the fridge, never to be seen again... Pick the grapes from the stems. Give them a good wash under cold water and then pat them dry (extra moisture on grapes makes them spoil more quickly). Place the grapes back in the punnet and pop them in the fridge. When you open the fridge, they're ready to eat and you can munch as you go! And because you eat them more quickly... no more wasted Grapes! The kids are more likely to have a munch too as they can take it and eat it - no faffing about washing them 👍
Important Note: If you plan to keep your grapes for longer than 5-7 days, it's best not to de-stem and wash them. Leave them in their original container. But remember to enjoy them before they go bad!
Grape Goodness: Approximately 12 grapes count as one of your 5-a-day! Grapes are a good source of vitamin C and fibre. Red grapes are also packed with flavonoids, which are great for your heart, arteries, and blood vessels.
✨ Fruit Tip #2 - Avocado 🥑 ✨
Avocados – love them or hate them, they're definitely a hot topic! I used to be firmly in the "hate" camp. My first encounter with an avocado was, shall we say, less than ideal. Hard, unripe, and frankly, pretty tasteless, it put me off trying one again for years!
Now? Well, now I'm a convert. But there's a catch: avocados are only delicious when they're perfectly ripe. That's the key! I think that first unripe experience ruined it for me. These days, I'm all about those perfectly ripe (or even slightly overripe!) avocados, the ones just starting to get those glorious yellow "reduced to clear" stickers.
💡 SuperSavvy Tip! If you spot an avocado with a yellow reduced to clear sticker, grab it! Chances are, it's at peak ripeness and ready to be enjoyed.
If it's a little underripe, just leave it in your fruit bowl for a day or two. And if it's a tad overripe? Don't despair! Mash it up and whip together some fresh guacamole. Problem solved!
Storage Secrets: Avocados are best stored in the fridge. However, if you need one to ripen quickly, simply leave it out at room temperature. To speed up ripening, place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple. Ripe avocados can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.
Keeping it Green: Ever cut an avocado only to find it turning brown later? That's because of air exposure. To prevent this, you need to seal the surface of the flesh. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, or a drizzle of olive oil, followed by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, will do the trick.
For more avocado storage tips, check out this really helpful article: How to Store Avocados.
The Nutritional Powerhouse: Did you know that half an avocado counts as one of your five a day? That's a fantastic start!
Amazing Avocado Facts:
🥑 Good Fat Champion: Unlike most fruits, avocados are low in carbs and high in fat. But don't worry, it's the good kind! Over 75% of their fat content is monounsaturated fat, which is linked to healthier cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of heart disease. And with only 80 calories per serving, you're getting almost 20 different vitamins and minerals!
🥑 Blood Pressure Buddy: The potassium in avocados helps to balance out sodium in your diet and can contribute to lower blood pressure.
🥑 Heart Health Hero: Avocados are packed with inflammation-fighting compounds that support healthy blood vessels and improve blood flow throughout your body.
🥑 Blood Sugar Stabiliser: Unlike other fruits, avocados contain no sugar. Their healthy fats and fibre actually help to stabilise your blood sugar and insulin levels after a meal. Pretty impressive, right?
So, there you have it – my avocado journey! From initial dislike to full-blown devotion, I've learned that ripeness is everything. Give them another try if you've had a bad experience, and enjoy all the health benefits these creamy, delicious fruits have to offer! 🥑
✨ How to Freeze Fresh Fruit! ✨
Freezing fruit is a fantastic way to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. It's a great way to preserve fruits at their peak ripeness and avoid waste. Read our article on how to freeze fresh fruit...
✨ Additional Money Saving Fruit Tips ✨
Separate: Store fruits and vegetables separately whenever possible. Some fruits produce ethylene gas, which can accelerate the ripening (and spoiling) of other produce.
Don't wash until ready to use: Washing fruits and vegetables before storing them can actually promote mould growth. Wash them just before you're ready to eat or cook them, or if you know they'll be eaten soon after washing.
Cool, dark, and dry: Many fruits and vegetables prefer cool, dark, and dry conditions. The refrigerator is ideal for many, but some do better at room temperature.
Air circulation: Good air circulation is important to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to spoilage. Avoid airtight containers unless specifically recommended.
Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries): Store unwashed in their original containers or a breathable container in the refrigerator. Remove any damaged or mouldy berries to prevent them from spoiling the rest.
Apples: Store in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They release ethylene gas, so consider storing them separately from other produce.
Bananas: Store at room temperature, away from other fruits (they release a lot of ethylene). Consider hanging them to prevent bruising. For longer storage, you can peel and freeze ripe bananas for smoothies or baking. See our tips on Freezing Fruit.
Tomatoes: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Refrigerating tomatoes can affect their flavour and texture.
Avocados: Store unripe avocados at room temperature. To speed up ripening, place them in a paper bag with a banana or apple. Ripe avocados can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. To prevent browning after cutting, brush with lemon juice or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. See our Avocado tips above ☝️
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