Storing food so that it last longer

Introduction 

On an average day, Malaysians generate  about 17,00 tones of trash. Although there are many movements that focus and also emphasize the food waste issue people are still involved in the wastage of food without them realizing it. These can due to several underlying factors like the oversupply of raw materials, climate changes, not knowing how to properly store food and also many other reasons. Working adults especially find it really hard to store food and make it fresh for a longer period of time as they are always on the go and don’t get the time to cook everyday or for every meal. Here I have listed ways on how you could store food to make it last longer. 

Storing meat, poultry and seafood

One of the basic rules in storing meat is to always ensure the freezer’s temperature. People often make the mistake to just store it in the refrigerator section because they would probably use it in a few days to come. Always remember to store it in the freezer. To ensure its freshness, try not to mix all the types of meat together, instead segregate it and place it in individual containers or ziplock bags. This would also make it so much easier for you to defrost it when you actually want to cook it. Place the secured meat in a plate or trays to avoid dripping 

Leafy vegetable and berries 

Leafy vegetables are something that goes bad really fast due to its water content in it. Once bought you want to wash it at once and then store it. This would make it easier for you when you want to cook. Once washed, try drawing out as much moisture as you could, for berries you could use a salad spinner to get all the last bit of water out. Place your berries and vegetables in a container of your choice lined with a kitchen towel or kitchen. This step is crucial as it helps absorb all the moisture that it is going to produce in the process of chilling in the refrigerator. 

Beans, nuts and grain 

For items like this, it is best if you keep it intact in its original packaging until you put it into use. This is to avoid being in contact with moisture.  Place it in a cool, dry and dark area. If you have opened the original packaging, store them in airtight containers or zip lock bags this would extend their shelf life. Invest in good food storage container malaysia, it certainly does the job in sealing the freshness. Nuts naturally have oil content in it so ensure that you keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid the formation of an oil layer in it. 

Oil, vinegar and other liquid condiments 

If you are a person who cooks only once in a while, try buying oils and other condiments in smaller batches. Oils especially get expired faster than you imagine. Store it in a cool and dark place, avoid storing it near or above the stove top and the heat produced may cause reaction within the item. For condiments, you could opt for placing them in the refrigerator to ensure it is fresher for a longer period of time.