How to Store

Did you know that the carrot is originally a Persian vegetable? They can also come in up to 5 different colors: orange, purple, red, white, and yellow! Even if you didn’t know these facts before, the long, crunchy, bittersweet root vegetable has been a world favorite for as long as anyone can remember. But even these vegetables still need a little tender loving care despite their superstar status. Otherwise, if you don’t know how to store carrots properly, you won’t be able to enjoy their health benefits.

How To Store Carrots

How long can carrots go unrefrigerated?

3-5 days.

Whilst the fridge is certainly best for storing fresh carrots, it is totally possible to keep them on the countertop, in the pantry, or even in a root cellar.

However, you need to bear 2 things in mind when doing this.

Firstly, keep them away from other vegetables. Like most vegetables, carrots produce ethylene gas when they mature. This gas speeds up fruit and vegetables' ripening and rotting process. So, not only will your carrots go bad quicker, the other fruit and veg around it will, too.

Secondly, don't store them in a plastic bag. This is because moisture collects inside of this and can cause mold to grow, causing your carrots to be unsuitable for eating.

Do carrots need to be kept in the fridge?

Carrots do not need to be kept in the fridge, but this is certainly the best place for them. Storing carrots that are fresh here will make them last for 3-4 weeks.

Inside the fridge, you can even store carrots inside a plastic bag, providing you puncture some holes in it or keep it wide open to allow for air circulation to keep them fresh.

If you have leftover cooked carrots, they can be stored in here, too. Put them inside an airtight container, and make sure they're used within 3-5 days. [download_app]

Can carrots be stored in the freezer?

They absolutely can.

However, don't think you can just place them in the freezer without any preparation. This is because the freezing process damages the cells, meaning the carrots will be mushy and unusable once thawed. This is why you shouldn't freeze them whole and fresh from the grocery store.

What you need to do is, first, prepare them how you'd like to freeze them: peeled, sliced, cut into rounds, etc. Then, blanche them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Afterward, drain, and cool them in ice-cold water.

After draining the cooled carrots, thoroughly pat them dry and put them into freezer bags, pushing out as much air as possible. Then, leave them in the freezer for up to 1 whole year.

Cooked leftover carrots can also be stored in the freezer for just as long in an airtight container.

How Long do Carrots Last For?

How to Tell When Carrots Have Gone Bad

Look. Some carrots may develop some dark spots on them. This doesn't necessarily mean that they've gone bad, and those can be cut off before using.

However, if you see any mold growing on them, then they've definitely gone bad and should be thrown out. Do not attempt to cut off the mold, as the mold's roots go surprisingly deep into food. 

Feel. Carrots go soft and floppy when they start going bad. However, this doesn't mean they're unusable (see below). However, if they feel slimy, then they have gone off and should be placed in the garbage.

Smell. Rotting carrots give off a strong smell. When fresh, whole carrots shouldn't give off any smell at all.

Other Useful Tips

How do you know if baby carrots are bad?

Baby carrots go bad in the same way as normal carrots. Although, it's difficult to bend something so short!

The surest signs are any visible mold, any slimy texture, or pungent smells.

Do carrots go bad if left out overnight?

It depends on where you left them.

If left in a cool dry area, away from other fruit and vegetables, they should be A-OK. Carrots can last 3-5 days unrefrigerated.

Leaving them inside a plastic bag will increase the chance of mold growing on them as moisture collects inside this. Also, leaving them near other ethylene-producing fruit and veg will speed up the rotting process.

Do carrots really help your eyesight?

Carrots contain beta-carotene which the body converts into vitamin A, which directly benefits your eyesight.

Vitamin A is certainly important for a child's eyesight development. Between 250,000 and 500,000 children a year lose their sight around the world because of vitamin A deficiencies, according to the World Health Organization.

Some research has found that increased vitamin A intake can help improve the symptoms of "night blindness". This is where people cannot see, or can only see very badly, in low to no light. But, those that responded the best were taking vitamin A supplements rather than binging on carrots. So, carrots are not the best things to improve your nighttime vision.

Lastly, whilst carrots help vision development, unfortunately, they cannot help recover any lost or damaged vision in adults.

What can I do If I have floppy carrots?

If you find that your carrots are soft and floppy, but show no other signs that they have gone bad, such as mold or a slimy surface, then they can be saved!

Hallelujah.

The floppiness is a result of the carrot being dehydrated. They're around 80-95% water after all!

To regain their stiffness, simple place flaccid carrots in cold water for up to 5 hours before using. Afterward, you'll find that they're nice and firm again.

However, because most of their vitamins are water-soluble, the carrot may not be as nutritious. This is because it will have lost most of its nutrients when it became dehydrated.

Cucumbers are the most watery vegetable, comprising of 96% H2O. While it makes them one of the most refreshing vegetables to eat, it also makes them particularly tricky to store. This is because they're prone to going moldy or drying out! Therefore, learning how to store cucumbers properly will mean you'll keep getting your serving of the thirst-quenching green for as long as possible.

How to Store Cucumbers

How long do cucumbers last at room temp?

Up to 2 weeks.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Surprisingly, cucumbers are one of the few vegetables that storing in the fridge is not actually best for them. Why? Because, whilst you might like the taste of cold cucumbers, especially on a hot summer's day, cucumbers don't like the cold at all.

Research by University of California, Davis, found that cucumbers are sensitive to temperatures below 50f / 10c. Cucumbers kept below this temperature are more prone to pitting, wateriness, and quicker decay than those kept at a much milder temperature.

This means the countertop or pantry is actually the best place for them. But, it is worth bearing in mind that they are also very sensitive to ethylene gas. This is produced by a wide variety of fruit and vegetables as they ripen and decay. So, don't think about cozying your cukes up with the rest of your greens or they'll go bad quickly.

Do cucumbers need to be refrigerated?

No.

However, while room temperature is best for them, you can still keep them in the fridge if you fancy a cooler cuke. If you choose to do so, you must make sure the skin is a dry as possible.

Firstly, do not wash them until you're ready to use them. This means they shouldn't be washed prior to storing in the fridge.

Secondly, keep them dry in the fridge by wrapping them in paper towel or placing them in a plastic bag to keep it safe from any external moisture.

Then, keep them as close to the door as possible, as this is the warmest place in the fridge. Cut or sliced cucumbers should be placed in an airtight container and eaten within 48 hours.

Any that you sliced the end off should have the exposed flesh covered in plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. If it will fit inside an airtight container, it's even better to put it in there in addition to wrapping up the end.

Can you freeze cucumbers for later use?

Not really. Because of their high water content, they go extremely mushy when thawed. Therefore, this is not recommended.

How Long Do Cucumbers Last?

How do you know if a cucumber is bad?

Look. A cucumber's skin should be firm and smooth. If you start to see any wrinkles or dents in it, then it's a sign that the cucumber is old and most likely gone bad. You may also notice come discoloring of the skin.

A sure sign of a bad cucumber is visible mold. If a cucumber is moldy, do not attempt to cut off the moldy bit and eat the rest. The roots of mold go a lot deeper into food than you realize. 

Touch. If your cucumber is slimy to the touch, then throw it out! Also, a bad cucumber's flesh will be soft instead of firm. So, don't even think about eating any squishy ones.

Other Useful Tips

What's the best way to peel a cucumber?

If you're peeling a cucumber, start peeling from the lighter-colored end, and peel toward the darker. This stops any of the bitter oil in the darker skin spreading over the rest of the cucumber.

Basil gets its name from the Greek word 'basileus', which means 'king' because they believed that only the king could pick it. Regardless, the origin of the word is still fitting today as basil definitely rules the kitchen. It is one of the world's most popular herbs, but it's not only confined to the kitchen. It is also used in cosmetics and herbal medicine. But do you know how to store basil to preserve its freshness and properties?

What is the best way to preserve fresh basil?

Can basil be kept on the countertop?

A potted basil plant from the store often withers quickly after bringing it home. This is due to the incorrect storage of the fresh herbs in the supermarket.

Therefore, the potted basil plant should be immediately replanted into a larger pot and have its soil changed. A layer of gravel should be placed at the bottom to prevent the roots from rotting.

Then, place the pot with basil in a sunny, dry, and ventilated place. Water it daily and regularly remove any dry leaves. A fresh bunch of basil that has been sold cut from the plant shouldn't be stored on the counter. It should be placed immediately in the fridge, or dried and stored in a jar.

How do you store fresh basil in the refrigerator?

Fresh cut basil can have its freshness extended by wrapping the leaves in a paper towel, placing them in a plastic bag, and then refrigerating them. It will protect them from moisture and preserve its taste and aroma. Another interesting way to preserve them in the fridge is to put the leaves in a jar and cover them with olive oil before refrigerating.

Can fresh basil leaves be frozen?

Freezing fresh basil leaves is a very effective method of preserving their taste and aroma. Clean the leaves and rub them with olive oil before putting them in a plastic bag and freezing. You can also tear the basil leaves and put them in an ice cube tray. Then, pour olive oil over them and freeze. Basil, in this form, can be used straight out of the freezer in soup and sauces.

How Long Does Basil Last?

How to Tell When Basil Has Gone Bad?

Look - the easiest way to find basil freshness is by observing its leaves. If they are withered and they have lost their firmness and vividness of color, the basil is rotting.

Smell - fresh basil leaves are characterized by its signature lively and intense fragrance If you can't smell this distinct aroma, then it is far from fresh.

Other Useful Tips for How to Store Basil

How long does basil stay fresh in the fridge?

This depends on how you store it.

It will last up to 2 days when wrapped in a paper towel and put in a plastic bag.

If you cover the leaves with olive oil, they can last up to 2 months.

How to Dry Basil

To dry basil, place the leaves on a baking sheet and dry them slowly in the oven at a maximum temperature of 35°c/95°f. Leave the oven door opened slightly to allow steam to escape. You can also dry basil leaves in a shady place, like a shed or an attic.

Remember that it must be an airy place without other distinct fragrances. Otherwise, the basil will pick these up as unwanted flavors. Dried basil should then be stored in a jar on the countertop.

Having enough breast milk is a big worry for moms. That’s why breast milk storage is important and has to be done properly. Whether you’re a new or experienced mom, your body goes through a lot of effort to produce that precious breast milk, so don't waste it! These storage guidelines will teach you how to store breast milk in the best manner, and answer your questions about breast milk storage.

How to store breast milk

Where should I leave my breast milk?

When deciding what method of breast milk storage to go for, keep the following in mind:

• If you’ll use the breast milk it in the next few hours: you can keep it out at room temperature
• If you’ll use it in the next few days: putting it in the fridge will be your best choice
• If you’ll use it within the next few weeks or months: freeze it

How long can breast milk stay out?

Breast milk can stay out at room temperature for 4 to 6 hours. If you pumped breast milk during the night, you can keep it out and put it in the fridge within this timeframe. However, you need to make sure the room isn't warmer than 25°c/77°f.

Storing milk: Fridge or freezer?

How long can breast milk stay in the fridge?

3-4 days.

Store breast milk at the back of the fridge where it’s coldest. Don't place it in the door and keep it away from meat, eggs, or uncooked food.

How long can you freeze breast milk?

Up to 6 months.

Freezing breast milk will make it lose some of its nutrients, but it’s still better for the baby than formula. Freezing breast milk is a great solution when you’re going back to work, when you want to keep extra milk in case of an emergency, or if you want to donate human milk. Some moms think that 4fl oz./120ml of breast milk is the best quantity to freeze.

Of course, this can vary depending on your baby’s age and your own preference. If you pump more than that, you can freeze 4 fl oz./120ml and store the rest in the fridge. Add more to what's in the fridge from the next pump until you get the desired amount. Remember to write the date of the first pump, not the second, on the bag/container you freeze the milk in.

How long goes breast milk last?

Other Useful Tips

Tips for freezing breast milk

• Breast milk storage bags are a savior when it comes to freezing breast milk
• Label each with the date it was pumped one of them and use the oldest ones first
• Use bags with double zips for extra safety
• Try to squeeze out all the air before you zip it closed
• Freeze them horizontally for more storage space
• If you freeze the storage bags flat between two cooking trays, they will be easier to store

When introducing solids to your baby, you can mix food with breast milk. Freeze very small amounts of milk in an ice cube tray with a lid. These small cubes defrost quickly and are ideal to mix into your baby’s food.

Tips for breast milk containers

• You can use glass bottles, plastic bottles (BPA-free), and breast milk freezing bags
• Label and date all your bottles and bags, and use up the oldest ones first
• Always wash your hands before handling any container
• If you choose glass, be careful with creating drastic temperature changes i.e. washing with very hot water to immediately fill it with very cold liquid. This will cause the glass to break.
• When using storage bags, be aware of any tears
• Use big zipped bags or long boxes for freezing your breast milk. If you use a bag, place it horizontally. If you use a box, place it vertically with the label face-up.

How long is breast milk good for at room temp?

4-6 hours.

This comes in handy when you’re pumping in the middle of the night and you might not want to leave the room. It's also handy when you pumped away from home and need a couple of hours to get back.

How do you heat breast milk?

Some babies might like drinking cold milk straight from the fridge, while others like it warmed up. You can warm the milk by placing the sealed bottle or bag in a bowl of warm water.

Don’t be tempted to defrost or warm your breast milk in a microwave. This will heat it unevenly and it can burn some spots of the milk and can cause burns to you and your baby.

If you need the milk in a hurry, warm it under cool, then warm, running water. Then, dry the outside of the container before you open it. Use it straight away. Another option is to use a bottle warmer. Try to get the one with a timer to prevent the milk overheating.

If your milk has been stored for some time, you may notice that it separates. This is normal, so just give it a gentle swirl to mix it up again.

How to defrost human milk?

Frozen breast milk should ideally be defrosted in the fridge overnight. It can also be defrosted in a jug surrounded by hot water.

However, once thawed milk can only be stored in the fridge for a maximum of 24 hours. You should also never refreeze breast milk once it has thawed.

Can I put freshly pumped milk in the freezer?

Absolutely! It’s recommended that if you want to freeze your milk, to do it as soon as possible after pumping.

• Leave a gap at the top of each bottle or bag, as your milk will expand during freezing
• If you’re storing milk in bags, watch out for any tears, you will notice them once you start to thaw the milk.
• Remember that plastic bags tend to fall over when thawing, so try and keep it upright or thaw horizontally
• You can add fresh breast milk to previously frozen milk, as long as the fresh milk is chilled for at least an hour first

How long does breast milk last after warming?

Ideally, it should be used right away. You can still leave it up to 4 hours in the fridge if, for any reason, you need to store it again. Don’t leave it out and never refreeze it!

Asparagus is full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This makes it is commonly used for meals around the world. Although the asparagus season is spring, people use it in other seasons as well. Knowing how to store asparagus properly can help you to have it at any time of the year and reap its nutritional benefits.

How to store asparagus?

Can you keep asparagus on the counter?

Not at all. If you want your asparagus to stay fresh, do not keep it on the counter. If you do, it will quickly become moldy and slimy.

How long can you keep asparagus in the fridge?

Up to 1 week if you store it properly.

To store them correctly, treat them like you would cut flowers. First, trim the stems. Then, put the vegetable upright in a jar or glass filled with water, ensuring that all the stems are submerged. Doing so allows the asparagus to absorb the water from the jar or glass, keeping the stems fresh and frim. Finally, cover the asparagus with a plastic bag before placing it in the fridge. This will keep your asparagus fresh and prevent it from absorbing the smell of other products. However, the long-term storage of asparagus in the fridge results in the stems drying out.

Cooked or roasted asparagus can be stored in the fridge, but you’ll need to use it as soon as possible. This is because the vegetable will become softer the longer it's stored. While in the refrigerator, the cooked asparagus should be wrapped in aluminum foil or a plastic bag.

How to store asparagus in the freezer

If you want to keep this vegetable until winter, after picking it in the spring, then freezing it is the best way.

For long-term storage in the freezer, choose asparagus with thick stems with no brown coloring on them. The brown coloring means that they're starting to go bad, and thick stems remain sturdier after freezing. Be sure to boil the trimmed asparagus for a few seconds before chilling it quickly in ice water. This makes it easier to flash freeze the vegetable. Next, place the asparagus on a baking tray before placing it in the freezer.  Once the asparagus is completely frozen, pop it into a freezer bag with the air pushed out or a plastic freezer container.

If you cook asparagus for a meal only to find out you have leftovers, the freezer is an ideal choice for long-term storage, as asparagus will keep its firmness for longer. For storing it cooked in the freezer, it should be covered up in an airtight container or placed in a freezer bag.

How long does asparagus last?

How to tell if asparagus has gone bad?

Look. The vegetable stems are typically green. But once spoiled, they become brownish. They also lose their freshness when they are no longer firm and straight. So, bendy asparagus should go in the bin. Also, if the vegetable has a visible mold on it, it needs to be disposed of as it's unsafe to eat.

Touch. Check if the vegetable is mushy. For this, hold the stems between your fingers and press them lightly. If they squash easily, just get rid of them.

Smell. Asparagus will release a disgusting smell when gone off. So, better to toss it away if it smells less than pleasant.

Other Useful Tips

Should you wash asparagus?

Yes, you should. This is to remove any dirt left on it. After rinsing the asparagus stems, dry it out before using.

Can asparagus help fight cancer?

Yes. Some nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and other cancer-fighting antioxidants, are common in asparagus. So, eating it may offer additional cancer protection.

Is Raw Asparagus Better Than Cooked Asparagus?

Whilst most other vegetables are healthier for you raw, asparagus is more healthy for you when cooked! Although it is quite safe to eat raw, once cooked, asparagus contains more antioxidants.

Eating cooked asparagus can help prevent some disorders such as high blood pressure and cognitive decline. This is because the cooking process frees these chemicals from the plant cell walls as the heat breaks them down. Otherwise, they would remain trapped inside these cells and unable to be absorbed into the body.

Crispy crust, soft interior, holes that beg for butter: this is the definition of perfect bread, and therefore happiness. Glory to the ancients who discovered the results from a combination of flour and bacteria. In ancient Greece, about 50 recipes for various types of bread were known. Regardless, the methods you use to store it is very important. So, find out how to store bread to keep it fresh and tasty for longer.

Where should you store bread?

Storing fresh bread is an important matter if you don’t want it to get dry or moldy.

But why is this? 

Humidity causes mildew. This means putting it in plastic wrap is a bad idea. Conversely, a hot place will evaporate the moisture in the bread and make it go stale quicker.

Therefore, the best place to store bread is a cool dry place. Bread bins are excellent for providing such an atmosphere.

Can bread be stored on the counter?

If you don't have a bread box, remove the bread from the plastic bag and wrap it with a linen or ordinary dishcloth. This should keep the bread fresh for up to 2 days.

Can I store bread in a bread bin?

Absolutely! This is actually the optimal place for it.

However, there are some extra steps you can take to make the bread bin an even better place to store it.

Linen pouches are a great extra step for storing bread in the bread bin. Nowadays, because the Zero Waste Movement has become more popular, such bags are now easier to get hold of. They're also great for taking shopping with you to reduce your plastic use. These linen pouches allow air to escape, meaning you don't trap moisture around the bread and ‘boil’ it, making it go moldy.

Once inside the pouch, put the bread in the bread box. Both bread box and extra breathable protective linen layer will keep your bread extra fresh. It won't start drying out and going moldy too quickly. If you don’t have a linen pouch you can use dishcloth instead.

This method is even better for sourdough bread. When stored this way, sourdough bread will stay fresh for a full week after baking. 

Can bread be stored in the fridge?

Storing bread in the fridge is not the best way. If the room is hot and humid, you can put the bread in the fridge, which will prevent mold but will accelerate the aging process, making it hard and dry. Bread goes stale fastest at temperatures from 0-10⁰c/32-50⁰f. 

How to Store Bread in the Freezer

If you know you will not eat a whole loaf in a relatively short time, it's best to freeze bread. This applies to fresh or medium fresh bread. However, freezing stale bread will yield no benefits.

You can put the entire loaf in the freezer. However, it may be better to cut it into slices before freezing. When sliced, you can then take only as much as you need straight out of the freezer to use, and leave the rest for another day.

Another reason to freeze it after slicing is that it's faster to defrost 1 slice of bread than a whole loaf. To defrost, simply leave it at room temperature for some time, or put into the toaster and use the "defrost" or the lowest setting.

How Long Does Bread Last?

How to Tell When Bread Goes Bad

Look. When you notice a white coating on bread, which at first can be mistaken for flour, it means that the bread is beginning to go moldy. You should throw out any moldy bread immediately. This is because the roots of mold go surprisingly deep into food. So, cutting off the bit with mold on will not keep you safe from eating it.

Touch. Stale bread becomes hard, especially the skin. However, if there is no mold, you can still use it in some recipes.

Smell. If you find that a bread smells like mold or moisture, then it has gone bad.

Other Useful Tips

Do bread boxes really work?

Yes, on condition that you wash them well from time to time.

This prevents the accumulation of bacteria that accelerates mold growth. The material from which the bread box is made is also important. Natural materials such as wood, wicker or ceramics ones are the best as they allow for better, more natural, ventilation.

How to store bread after baking

Storing homemade bread is the same as bread from the store.

However, you should know some rules about how to best handle it immediately after baking.

Take out the bread from the loaf tin and cool it in a wire basket or on a cooling rack. This will allow all the excess moisture to evaporate quickly, preventing your loaf from going soggy.

Next, wrap the bread in a dishcloth and leave it for 2-4 hours. When cooling you can spray it with water to help it cool. But won't this make the bread wet? Well, the dishcloth will prevent the water from getting soaked up by the bread. The result is that the crust will be soft but crispy once cooled.

What if you forgot to freeze the bread and it begins to go stale?

Thankfully, there are some tasty ways to use stale bread. You can search for many fantastic recipes online.

But, 1 of the most delicious and popular ways to use stale bread is to make French toast. All you need is an egg, milk, butter, and cinnamon (optional). To make it, first, mix the egg and milk together. Then, dip the slices of stale bread into the mixture. Next, fry them in a pan with a bit of butter. Serve with your favorite fruit, jam, or honey.