IT’S crunch time for apples – if you keep them in the fridge, that is.
They last 70 days longer than if left out in a fruit bowl, says food charity Wrap.
So what else have we been storing incorrectly? SUSAN HILL reveals the best places to keep everyday foodstuffs.
6
TOMATO SAUCE: Fridge or cupboard
KETCHUP makers recommend that once opened, it should be stored in the fridge. But dietitian Dr Sarah Schenker reckons there is no need to, because the high vinegar content and acidity of the tomatoes preserves it
EGGS: Fridge
6
THE biggest risk with eggs is salmonella, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
So to avoid getting ill, the Food Standards Agency recommends storing them in the fridge.
MAYONNAISE: Fridge
THE fresh eggs and cream in mayo can spoil easily so it should always be kept in the fridge.
Dr Lisa Ackerley says: “It can become rancid if kept at room temperature.”
Most read in Fabulous
CHOCOLATE: Cupboard
6
REFRIGERATING chocolate can lead to sugar bloom, a white coating caused by condensation dissolving the sugar.
Chocolate also absorbs odours, so it could end up smelling and tasting odd.
BUTTER: Fridge or cupboard
EVEN though it’s a dairy product, butter won’t go bad if left unrefrigerated for a couple of days.
The cream used to make it is pasteurised, which repels bacteria. But keep it covered in a dish.
MARMITE: Cupboard
6
LOVE it or hate it, Marmite should never be kept in the fridge. Doing so makes it rock-solid and impossible to spread.
It contains so much salt – a preservative – that it will almost never go off.
JAM/MARMALADE: Cupboard
KEEPING preserves in the fridge can cause condensation to form under the lid, creating the perfect environment for mould.
Jam and marmalade are naturally acidic, inhibiting bacterial growth.
CHEESE: Fridge
6
CHEESE is high in protein, which bacteria feed off, so it’s prone to going off.
Soft types such as mozzarella and goat’s cheese have the shortest shelf life as they also have low salt levels.
BREAD: Cupboard
6
PUTTING bread in the fridge dries it out and makes it go stale faster.
So it’s always best to keep it in the cupboard. Although you can also freeze bread to make it last longer.
