17 September 2023 , 15:51
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With the cost of living crisis still a painful reality, many people are wondering how they can make their weekly shop last longer. It's common for families to buy items they think will last them a certain period of time - only to reach for it in the fridge to find out it's gone off.
Unfortunately, this leads to a lot of waste - both in terms of food and money. But luckily, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station, has revealed some tips to help reduce food waste and also the amount of money you spend on your food shop.
One key way of making sure your vegetables last longer is by using a simple kitchen roll hack, which will help soak up the moisture. Vlatka explained: "A handy hack to protect your veggies is to add kitchen roll to your fridge. Vegetables release moisture, so by placing them on a piece of kitchen towel, you will absorb any excess liquid and keep your produce fresh for longer."
Another tip that can help your veggies stay fresher is by storing them in the bottom drawer of your bridge. This is sometimes known as the "crisper drawer", as it's designed to help them stay fresh.
When it comes to fruits, Vlatka says bananas should be kept separate, or it could speed up the ripening process, causing them to go bad. She explained: "Bananas contain ethylene which helps certain fruits ripen quicker. If you place bananas close to your other fruit, the ethylene will react with them and speed up their ripening process. Always try to keep your bananas and other fruit separate, but if you have cling film available, wrap it around the stalks to stop the ethylene from spreading, making them last longer."
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Similarly broccoli and celery emit the same gas, so should be wrapped up in foil. Vlatka explained: "Similar to bananas, broccoli and celery also emit ethylene, so to help them last longer, wrap them tightly in foil and place in the fridge. The tin foil will not only keep them clean but will keep them fresh for up to four weeks."