Using the refrigerator efficiently
Food which should not be stored in a refrigerator
Not all food is suitable for refrigeration, as some food is sensitive to cold. Cucumbers, for example, become glassy, aubergines bitter and potatoes sweet. Tomatoes and oranges lose their aroma, and the peel on citrus fruit hardens.
Food which should not be stored in a refrigerator includes:
–pineapple, pomegranate, bananas, avocado, mangos, papaya, passion fruit, citrus fruit
–fruit which is not yet ripe
–aubergines/egg plant, cucumbers, potatoes, peppers/capsicum, tomatoes, courgettes,
–some hard cheeses, e.g. Parmesan
When shopping for food
The freshness of food when first placed in the appliance is an important factor in determining how long it stays fresh, and how long it can be kept in the refrigerator. Time out of the refrigerator, e.g. during transportation, should be kept to a minimum. For example, do not allow food to stay in a hot car for too long. Once food has started to deteriorate, this process cannot be reversed. As little as two hours outside the refrigerator can cause food to start deteriorating.
Storing food correctly
Food should generally be stored covered or packaged. This will prevent food smells from affecting other foods, food from drying out, and also any
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables may be stored loose in the vegetable containers. Please be aware that not all types of fruit and vegetables are suitable for storing in the same container. Aromas and flavours can transfer from one type of food to another (e.g. carrots absorb the smell and flavour of onions very easily). Some food also gives off a natural gas (ethylene) which speeds up the rate at which other food perishes.
–Examples of fruit and vegetables which produce a large amount of this natural gas are:
Apples, apricots, pears, nectarines, peaches, plums, avocado, figs, blueberries, melons and beans.
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