Throwing away food because it’s spoiled is not only a waste of money, but also a waste of resources. We often think food lasts less time than it should, but the real problem lies in how we store it . Properly storing the products we buy can extend their shelf life, maintain their quality, and help us plan our meals better.

Knowing how to properly store food isn’t complicated , but it does require paying attention to certain key details: temperature, humidity, light, type of container, and location. With a few simple changes, you can make your food last longer, stay tastier, and be safer for your health.

How to store food properly so it lasts longer

Proper storage depends on the type of food, but there are general principles you can apply to make your products last longer and maintain their freshness.

🧊 1. Proper refrigeration: not everything goes in the refrigerator

Not all foods need refrigeration, and placing them in the wrong place can accelerate their spoilage.

Foods that should be kept in the refrigerator:

• Dairy products and derivatives
• Meats, fish and cold cuts
• Leftover cooked food
• Fruits such as grapes, strawberries, and blackberries
• Leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce

Foods that should not be refrigerated:

• Potatoes (the cold transforms their starch into sugar and affects their flavor)
• Onions (the cold softens them and makes them sprout)
• Garlic (tends to mold quickly in humid environments)
• Tomatoes (they lose flavor in the refrigerator)
• Fruits like bananas, avocados, and mangoes when they are green

Tip: Don’t overload the refrigerator. Air needs to circulate to maintain a consistent temperature.

🧺 2. How to keep fruits and vegetables fresh

Tip 1: Separate fruits from vegetables.
Some fruits (like apples, pears, and bananas) emit ethylene, a natural gas that accelerates ripening. If they’re near vegetables, the vegetables will spoil faster .

Tip 2: Use perforated or cloth bags.
This allows the vegetables to breathe. Storing them in sealed plastic bags creates humidity and promotes decomposition.

Trick 3: Wrap leafy greens in paper.
Lettuce, spinach, or chard last longer if you wrap them in absorbent kitchen paper inside an airtight container.

Trick 4: Carrots and celery in water.
Cutting and storing them in jars with cold water in the refrigerator keeps them crisp for several days.

🥫 3. Preservation of dried foods

Foods such as rice, legumes, flour or cereals should be stored in airtight containers in a dry, cool and dark place .

Tips:

• Use glass or plastic jars with airtight lids.
• Label with purchase or expiration date.
• Never store dry food near the stove, where there is heat and steam.

🥩 4. How to freeze correctly?

The freezer is your best ally for preserving food for longer, but it must be used correctly :

• I divided into individual portions before freezing.
• Use freezer-safe bags or containers.
• Label with the date.
• Do not refreeze what has already been thawed.

Foods that freeze well:

• Bread and tortillas
• Raw or cooked meats
• Soups and broths
• Fruits (for smoothies or baking)
• Blanched vegetables (pumped through boiling water and then cooled)

🧂 5. Other practical tricks to make food last longer

• Bread: If you’re not going to eat it soon, freeze it. You can toast it straight from the freezer.
• Fresh herbs: preserve in jars with water or freeze chopped with oil in ice cube trays.
• Cheese: wrap it in parchment paper and store it in a sealed container.
• Eggs: Keep them in their original packaging and on the middle shelf of the refrigerator, not in the door.
• Avocado: if you only used half, leave the pit in the other half and sprinkle with lemon to prevent it from oxidizing.

Organizing your kitchen and applying these techniques will not only help you reduce food waste, but also save money and eat healthier. Remember that storing food properly is part of caring for your home and your health .

📝 Useful tips for better food preservation

🥚 1. Store the eggs with the pointed end down

This helps keep the yolk centered and prevents air from quickly entering the interior.

🍎 2. Separate the fruits that ripen quickly

Apples, pears, and bananas release ethylene, a gas that accelerates the ripening of other foods. Store them away from the rest to prevent everything from spoiling faster.

🧀 3. Store the cheese with kitchen paper or parchment paper

Plastic traps moisture and promotes mold. Wrapping it in paper and storing it in a container allows it to “breathe” without drying out.

🍞 4. Fresh bread, preferably in a cloth or paper bag

Store it in a cloth or paper bag in a dry place, never in the refrigerator (because it will harden). To preserve it longer, slice it and freeze it.

🍃 5. Don’t wash fruits and vegetables until you are going to use them

Excess moisture accelerates mold growth. Store them dry and wash them just before eating them.

🍋 6. Lemon to prevent cut fruit from oxidizing

If you cut apples, avocados or bananas and want to store them for a while, sprinkle them with a few drops of lemon juice so they don’t darken.

🧅 7. Onions and potatoes, separate and in a dark place

Store them in mesh bags or cardboard boxes with good ventilation. Never put them together, as they will rot faster.

🥦 8. Freeze blanched vegetables

Before freezing vegetables like broccoli, peas, or spinach, boil them for 2-3 minutes and then cool them in ice water. This helps retain their color, texture, and nutrients.

🧊 9. Organize your freezer with a FIFO system

Use the First In, First Out method (what comes in is the first thing consumed) to avoid forgetting food at the back of the freezer.

With small changes to your storage habits, you can keep your food fresh, safe, and tasty for much longer . This not only reduces waste but also improves organization and saves you money.