Miele KDN 12623 S-1/-2 When shopping for food, Storing food correctly, Fruit and vegetables

Using the refrigerator efficiently

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

–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. Always observe the use-by date and recommended storage temperature. 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

Store food covered or packaged. This will prevent food smells from affecting other foods, 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, you should bear in mind that 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.

–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.

–Examples of fruit and vegetables which react strongly to the natural gases given off by other types of fruit and vegetables are:

Kiwis, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mangos, honeydew melons, apples, apricots, cucumbers, tomatoes, pears, nectarines and peaches.

Example: Broccoli should not be stored with apples, as apples produce a large amount of natural gas to which broccoli is very sensitive. The result is a shorter than expected storage time for the broccoli.

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