Cucumbers and tomatoes are a classic pairing in sandwiches and salads, but did you know they shouldn’t be stored together? Tomatoes release ethylene gas, which can cause cucumbers to soften, turn yellow, and spoil faster. Learn the best ways to store these popular produce items to keep them fresh and delicious.
A food writer tested nine different methods for storing cucumbers to find the best way to keep them fresh for the longest time. The winning method involved wrapping each cucumber in a paper towel, placing them in a zip lock bag, and storing them in the fridge. This technique kept English and Persian cucumbers fresh for up to 19 days.
Experts reveal a simple hack using a metal spoon to keep cucumbers crisp and fresh for up to two weeks, doubling their usual shelf life.
According to Syncorganics, certain foods can “lose flavour, spoil faster and in some cases grow bacteria” when they’re stored in the fridge. One such ingredient is the cucumber, which is said to “develop spots and soften when kept in the fridge”. Citing the US Department of Agriculture, Syncorganics said Parmesan would do particularly well “stored in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark place”. Even berries, mango, avocados, basil, and tomatoes would do better stored outside of the fridge, it is claimed.
