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