Some fruits and veggies aren’t meant to be stored side by side.
Ever come home with fresh produce, only to find your apples bruised and your lettuce wilted within days? You’re not alone. The way we store our fruits and vegetables can either make them last longer or spoil faster, all depending on who they’re hanging out with in the fridge or bowl. Turns out, some produce just don’t play well together. Curious? You’ll want to see who’s secretly sabotaging your grocery haul.
1. Apples and Carrots
Apples may be sweet, but they’re not the best neighbors. They release ethylene gas, a natural ripening hormone, which can leave your carrots tasting bitter over time. If you’ve noticed your crunchy snacks going limp or taking on a strange flavor, this pairing could be why. Keep apples in the fruit drawer and carrots in a sealed container in the veggie section. Your salads and snack plates will thank you. Source: Feedingsandiego
2. Tomatoes and Cucumbers
You’d think they’d get along since they share a salad, but no. Tomatoes like it warm while cucumbers prefer cooler temps. Storing them together, especially in the fridge, speeds up the breakdown of cucumbers, making them mushy. Plus, tomatoes lose their flavor in the cold. Give tomatoes a spot on the counter and tuck cucumbers away in the crisper. They’re better off as salad buddies than storage mates. Source: AK Journals
3. Onions and Potatoes
This classic kitchen duo might seem inseparable, but storing them together can lead to sprouting and spoilage. Potatoes release moisture, and onions need dry air. Combine the two, and you’ve created the perfect environment for mold and rot. Store onions in a cool, dry place with good ventilation, and keep potatoes in a dark spot with no humidity. Separating them keeps both fresher longer. Source: CropXR
4. Bananas and Avocados
Ripening too fast? Blame the bananas. Their ethylene gas accelerates the ripening process of avocados, which can be helpful if you’re trying to make guacamole by tomorrow but not so great if you’re trying to stretch your produce all week. If you want to slow things down, store them apart. But if you’re racing against time for ripe avocados, placing them near bananas is a clever kitchen trick. Source: Avocado Source
5. Leafy Greens and Apples
Leafy greens are delicate and moisture-sensitive. When stored near apples, which emit ethylene gas, they can wilt in record time. Your crisp romaine or fresh kale won’t stand a chance. To keep greens from turning into sad, soggy leaves, wash and dry them thoroughly, then store them in airtight containers away from fruits that like to rush the ripening process. This one small switch makes a big difference.
6. Berries and Citrus Fruits
It might be tempting to toss all your fruit into one bowl, but berries and citrus are a mismatch. Berries are fragile and prone to mold when exposed to excess moisture. Citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, release some moisture and take up a lot of space. Storing them together can create a humid environment that shortens berry shelf life. Keep berries dry and cool, and let citrus do its thing elsewhere.
7. Garlic and Onions
They look like a natural pair, but garlic and onions actually prefer some space. While both need cool, dry storage, onions emit moisture and gas that can cause garlic to degrade more quickly. That means sprouting, mold, and a lot less flavor over time. Keep garlic in a mesh bag or paper sack away from other strong-smelling produce to preserve its punch. It deserves to stay sharp and ready for dinner duty.
8. Apples and Oranges
It sounds like a match made in snack heaven, but apples and oranges aren’t great roommates. Apples, again with the ethylene gas, can cause oranges to soften and spoil faster. Meanwhile, oranges prefer a lower humidity environment than apples. If you want both to stay sweet and juicy, give them separate storage spaces. Fruit baskets may look pretty, but strategic placement keeps your produce in top shape.
9. Tomatoes and Eggplants
These two nightshades may look like cousins, but they age differently. Tomatoes emit ethylene, which can make eggplants go bad quicker than you expect. Plus, eggplants are sensitive to both ethylene and cold temperatures. To keep both items at their best, store tomatoes at room temperature away from other vegetables, and place eggplants in a cool, but not cold, dry place. Your ratatouille ingredients will last much longer this way.
10. Strawberries and Grapes
They’re both sweet and juicy, but strawberries and grapes have different storage needs. Strawberries absorb moisture quickly and mold fast, while grapes give off water as they sit. Store them together, and you’re inviting early spoilage. Instead, store strawberries in a paper towel-lined container to keep them dry, and keep grapes in their own breathable bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, give them both a gentle rinse and savor the freshness.
The story 10 Fruits and Vegetables You Should (and Shouldn’t) Store Together was first published on DailyFetch.
