Buying and Storing Kiwis

Buying Kiwis: A kiwi is a nice treat to have around the house, however it is a seasonal fruit so when we buy it we don’t want to waste it! Proper storage will help you keep your kiwis fresh and make them last longer. When at the store we should buy kiwis based on when we want to enjoy them. A ripe kiwi will give on a slight touch and feel just a bit soft. These are good to eat right away, while a firm kiwi is not yet right and good for storage.   Storing Kiwis: Kiwis are best stored in the fridge to delay the ripening process. If your kiwi was already ripe when purchased then you can prolong the life about 3-5 days in the fridge. Where a very firm, not yet ripe, kiwi can last up to 4 months! We should check on these every few days though to make sure they are still firm while sitting in the fridge. To ripen a kiwi we should take it out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter 2-3 days. The natural ripening should take place and it should be yield to gentle pressure. To speed this process up we can place them in a paper bag with a apple or banana.  Tip:  If you have a bunch of ripe kiwis you can store them in the fridge within a Ziploc bag. This will help them last twice as long!   What Not To Do: Eat The Fuzz: You don’t actually have to peel a kiwi, but you shouldn’t eat the fuzz. You can give the kiwi a good scrub and eat them with the skin on! Avoid Bruised or Very Soft Kiwis: These have already begun to spoil and will just make a mess on your trip home from the store. Don’t Store Near Apples or Bananas: Both these fruits produce a high amount of ethylene gas and will cause your kiwis to ripen much faster....

Buying and Storing Broccoli

Buying Broccoli: Broccoli is one of the most nutritious vegetables for us to eat. Not only is broccoli rich in calcium, it also has anti-oxidant properties to prevent certain forms of cancer. When buying broccoli we want to look for a deep green color. Any yellowing is a sign of age and won’t last very long. We also want to make sure the florets are tight and compact. The stem should be thin but firm, it also should feel heavy when picking up. These are all signs of good broccoli and the best way to get all the beneficial properties.     Storing Broccoli: Broccoli isn’t a vegetable that keeps long so really we want to use it within 2-3 days to get all the benefits. As broccoli starts to age it starts to lose its nutritional benefits. Having said that, we should still store our broccoli correctly to get all those benefits when we do decide to cook it. Broccoli is best stored in the fridge in a plastic bag with holes in it. This allows airflow for the broccoli and makes sure it doesn’t spoil faster in the refrigerator.  Tip: These Ziploc bags are great for storing broccoli and other vegetables. They allow air flow and help keep the moisture out, allowing your fresh produce to last longer.   What Not To Do: Never Store On The Counter: Unless you plan on using the broccoli in a day or so its best to store in the fridge. This will keep it fresh for longer and prevent it from drying out and becoming soft. Never Store In An Airtight Plastic Bag: This will restrict airflow and cause the broccoli spoil faster....

Buying and Storing Pears

  Buying Pears: Pears can be a very delicate fruit and usually don’t last long. For this reason we want to make sure we buy the correct pear based on our needs. If we need our Pears immediately then we want to pick one that is just a tad soft. Pears ripen from the inside out, so a soft pear will mean its ready for eating. The best place to check is near the stem, this is the narrowest part of the pear so this should be soft to the touch. A soft bottom indicate a pear thats past its prime and shouldn’t be bought. For all other uses we should buy firm pears. We can speed up or delay the ripening process at home based on how soon we need the pear.     Storing Pears: Depending on how soon you need your pears is how you should go about storing them. If you are looking to consume them in 2-3 days then leave them out on the counter. They will naturally ripen and will be ready to eat in no time! If you want to keep them for 5-7+ days then you should store them in the fridge. This will slow down the ripening process and allow you to keep them for longer. You should begin to take them out of the fridge as you need them and let them sit for a day or two to ripen naturally. Just remember that the longer they have been in the cold the faster they wil ripen when you take them out. Tip:  Don’t forget, a pear is ripe when the tip near the stem is soft. You should check them daily to make sure they don’t spoil!   What Not To Do: Avoid Wilted or Shriveled Pears: Avoid buying these, they won’t ripen and will never be good to eat. Never Store In a Plastic or Paper Bag: The ethylene gas will be contained causing the pears to ripen much faster.  You could do this if your pears sooner rather than later. Don’t Store Near Apples or Bananas: Both these fruits produce a high amount of ethylene gas and will cause your pears to ripen much faster....

Buying and Storing Grapefruit

  Buying Grapefruit: Grapefruit can usually be bought year round, however its at its best from January to April. When purchasing a grapefruit we want to look for one that is heavy yet has smooth skin. This will ensure a juicy and delicious grapefruit.     Storing Grapefruit: If you plan on having your grapefruit in 5-7 days its perfectly safe to leave out on the counter. If you want to save your grapefruit for longer you can place it in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 weeks. Cut or partial used grapefruit should be stored in the fridge in a tight plastic container. This will allow your grapefruit to stay fresh and juicy. Tip: If you decided to store your grapefruit in the refrigerator, make sure you bring it back to room temperature before consuming. This will lead to a perfect juicy snack....

Buying and Storing Onions

  Buying Onions: Onions come in many different shapes, colors and sizes. For all types of onions it is important that you avoid onions that have cuts & bruises, sprouting and any type of mold. Also check the neck of the onion, this should be firm and not soft. All of these signs point to an onion that is starting to decay. Ideally you onions should have a dry brown crackly shell on the outside. There are generally 3 different types of onions, each have the own unique flavor: Red Onions: Probably the most mild onion of them all. Usually red onions aren’t cooked and are served raw in salads and on sandwiches Yellow Onions: Perhaps the most popular onion. Adds great flavor to stews, soups, and meat dishes. White Onions: A more mild flavor compared to yellow onions. If you don’t want a strong onion flavor use white onions for your dishes.   Storing Onions: Properly bought onions can last up to 6-8 months when stored correctly. We want to store our onions in a cool dark place and out of sunlight. They should not be put in the fridge as this will result in spoilage. Onions should always be stored separately and away from other produce. This is to avoid unnecessary spoilage and keep the other produce from absorbing the onions flavor. Cut or partial used onions should be stored in the fridge in a tight plastic container. This will allow you onion to stay fresh till your next recipe. Tip: If you don’t care about decor, use new pantyhose and tie a knot in between each onion.   What Not To Do: Do Not Store Near Potatoes: The potatoes will absorb the water from your onions causing both of your vegetables to spoil. Never Store In Plastic Bags: This prevents air flow and will cause your onions to spoil much much faster. Eat Slimy or Discolored Onions: These have likely gone bad and are not good to eat. Its best to toss them in the composte bin....