Do you find yourself always throwing away grocery items before you’ve had the chance to use them?
Storing fresh produce appropriately guarantees that your food items last as long as they should and money does not go to waste. Apart from saving money, proper storage also increases the chances of food items retaining their freshness, and reduces the chances of poisoning from stale food.
Not all food items have the same lifespan; some fare well at room temperature while others must either be frozen or refrigerated. A quick way to also know how to store your food items is to take note of where it was placed when you bought it. If you picked shrimps from the freezer in a grocery store, do not put it in the fridge when you get home. Here is a quick guide on where and how to store your grocery for utmost freshness.
| Food Items |
Storage |
Duration |
| Boxes/Cartons: baking soda/powder, cereal, dried fruits, oats, flour, pasta, spices. |
Pantry |
Till use-by date. Once opened, transfer contents into airtight containers. |
| Frozen poultry: beef, chicken, pork, shrimps, fish, etc. |
Freezer |
Minimum of one month. |
| Dairy products: frozen yoghurt, ice cream |
Freezer |
Up to 2 weeks. Refrigerate only if it will be consumed within days. |
| Canned/bottled food items: hot sauce, ketchup, sweetcorn, etc. |
Pantry |
Till use-by date. Once canned item is opened, transfer into airtight container and put in the freezer. |
| Garlic, coffee. |
Pantry |
Till use by date. Ensure garlic gets enough air. |
| Grains: rice, beans, garri, etc. |
Pantry |
Up to 3 months |
| Fresh vegetables: carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, lettuce. |
Fridge |
Up to a week. |
| Fresh fruits: Apples, grapes, oranges. |
Fridge |
Up to 2 weeks |
| Bananas |
Counter top |
Maximum of 1 week. You can cut up bananas and freeze for smoothies. |
| Onions |
Open air or inside mesh bag. Away from other produce. |
Up to 2 months. |
| Eggs |
Counter top in room temperature, or inside refrigerator (not refrigerator door) |
Up to 2 weeks. To test for freshness after, put eggs in water. Fresh eggs will sink, stale ones will float. |
About the author: Amina Salau is a writer and editor running The Illuminated Pen. You can find her online at www.theilluminatedpen.com and on Twitter (@_Aminah)
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This article was first published on 26th November 2014
Comments (1)
Do you find yourself always throwing away grocery items before you’ve had the chance to use them?
Storing fresh produce appropriately guarantees that your food items last as long as they should and money does not go to waste. Apart from saving money, proper storage also increases the chances of food items retaining their freshness, and reduces the chances of poisoning from stale food.
Not all food items have the same lifespan; some fare well at room temperature while others must either be frozen or refrigerated. A quick way to also know how to store your food items is to take note of where it was placed when you bought it. If you picked shrimps from the freezer in a grocery store, do not put it in the fridge when you get home. Here is a quick guide on where and how to store your grocery for utmost freshness.
My eggs are in the refrigerator door! That’s where the little crate thingy is, so why not? Please enlighten me.