Storing food properly – an issue that concerns many people. Proper storage of everyday products is vital for extending their shelf life. The better you store food, the longer you can use it.
This means that regional products are ideally available to you regardless of the season. Each product has its own specific requirements for the right storage location.
So how can you ensure that your food is stored optimally? What about flakes, granola and cereal ? What about fruits and vegetables for my healthy breakfast ? And why does food spoil in the first place? We'll answer all these questions in this blog post.
Why do foods spoil in the first place?
There are various reasons for food spoilage. Most of the time, it is physical, biochemical, chemical, and microbiological factors that cause products to spoil.
In many cases, pest infestations are also a factor, which you should avoid at all costs. Other factors cannot be prevented, but they can be slowed down!
In the case of microbial spoilage, it is bacteria, yeasts, and molds that infest food. Pathogenic microorganisms produce substances that can be harmful to humans. Moreover, this can occur without the food appearing visibly spoiled.
The rate at which food spoils depends on the temperature, water activity, pH, and oxygen content of the food. The storage temperature holds the greatest importance among these factors.
What is the best way to store food?
Generally speaking, you can say: all food needs its own specific place. Some foods require special treatment, while others are less sensitive.
Proper storage of onions and garlic
Onions and garlic, for example, are not too sensitive – it’s best to store these two in a cool place. A clay pot is also advantageous here, as it allows them to breathe.
Storage of vegetables – how to do it
For vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and also peppers, eggplants, or zucchinis, the approach is a bit different. Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator, as they quickly lose their aroma at cool temperatures.
The ideal temperature for tomatoes is around 15 degrees. Storing watery vegetables in the refrigerator is also detrimental. This can lead to them molding faster due to the conditions.
You must be a little more careful with avocados – as you know, you buy them unripe. It’s best to keep the avocado in a bowl. When it is ripe, if you only eat half, you can store the other half in the fridge.
Just sprinkle a little lemon juice over the cut surface and leave the pit inside. This will help it last for a few more days. For example, you can wrap cut food in beeswax cloth for protection.
What should go in the fridge?
Eggs, butter, milk, homemade or opened plant-based drinks , cheese, beverages, and opened jams should definitely be stored in the refrigerator.
Proper storage of bread
When it comes to bread, you should definitely pay attention to room temperature – while bread will generally last longer in the fridge, it quickly becomes stale. Note: Bread boxes made of wood should be avoided, as they cause bread to dry out faster.
Proper storage of oil
Olive oil – as you probably know – is best stored in a dark cabinet. This way, it lasts the longest and does not become rancid.
What is the best way to store fruit?
Fruit tastes best in only one way: fresh! So we recommend buying fruit fresh and in quantities you can actually consume. This is not only good for your wallet but also for the environment.
Once you have fresh fruit at home, it is best to store it in a bowl. Bananas, mandarins, apples, and many other fruits should not be stored in the refrigerator.
If you want to freeze fruit for a longer period, you can also use the freezer compartment or the freezer. You'll learn how to do that shortly.
Proper storage of cereal, granola, and flakes
For cereals, granola, and flakes of all kinds ( oatmeal , spelt flakes, etc.), it is best to transfer them directly from the original packaging into airtight containers. This guideline also applies to nuts , seeds, and dried fruits.
Our pro tip: Add the best before date directly to the airtight containers – this way, you always have an eye on it and can prevent food waste .
Why don’t foods spoil in the freezer?
This question is somewhat misleading. It is true that freezing significantly extends shelf life. This is because the water activity is nearly non-existent due to the low temperatures, and the proliferation of microorganisms is minimized.
This allows frozen food to remain fresh for several months. The great thing about the freezer is that there is hardly any loss in quality. However, before freezing fruits and vegetables , you should clean, wash, and possibly peel them first.
For proper storage in the freezer, avoid preparing excessively large portions. Airtight storage is equally important. The following basic guidelines apply to the shelf life of food in the freezer:
- Fruit and vegetables: 11-15 months
- Beef and poultry: 9-12 months
- Fish and fatty meats: 6 to 9 months
This is especially significant for us because we can freeze delicious berries in the summer and enjoy them throughout the year as a topping on our muesli or porridge – here is one of our favorite recipes:
Oatmeal with berry mirror
Equipment
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Blender
Ingredients
- 50 g oatmeal
- 250 ml milk or plant drink
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 tsp agave syrup
- 150 g berries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
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First, put the oatmeal in a pot with the pinch of salt and the milk or plant drink and bring it to a boil briefly. Stir occasionally.
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Then, remove the pot from heat and add the teaspoon of agave syrup.
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Let the oatmeal steep for about 2-3 minutes.
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In the meantime, wash the berries thoroughly and then put them in a bowl and puree them with a hand blender. Alternatively, you can puree the berries in a regular blender.
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Then, pour the oatmeal into a bowl and add half of the pureed berries, stirring well. Finally, pour the remaining berries over the oatmeal to create a berry layer. Of course, you can also top the porridge with other fresh fruits.
