Miele K 12421 SD Storing food correctly, When shopping for food, Fruit and vegetables

Using the refrigerator efficiently

Food which is not suitable for storing in the refrigerator

Not all food is suitable for storing in a refrigerator at temperatures below 5 °C, as some food does not tolerate cold temperatures. Cucumbers, for example, become glassy, aubergines bitter and potatoes sweet. Tomatoes and oranges loose their aroma, and the peel on citrus fruits hardens.

Food which does not tolerate cold temperatures includes:

–Pineapple, avocado, bananas, pomegranate, mango, melon, papaya, passion fruit,

citrus fruit (such as lemons, oranges, mandarins, grapefruit),

–Fruit which is not yet ripe,

–Aubergines/egg plant, cucumber, potatoes, peppers/capiscum, tomatoes, courgettes/zucchini,

–Some hard cheeses, e.g. Parmesan.

Storing food correctly

Store food covered or packaged. This will prevent food smells from affecting other food, food from drying out, and also any cross-contamination of bacteria. The growth of bacteria, such as salmonella, can be avoided by setting the correct temperature and maintaining good standards of hygiene.

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables may be stored loose in the vegetable containers. However, please bear in mind 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. Some fruit and vegetables react strongly to this gas and should not be stored together.

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.

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.

Examples of fruit and vegetables which produce a large amount of this natural gas are:

Apples, apricots, pears, nectarines, peaches, plums, avocados, figs, blueberries, melons and beans.

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