Table of contents:
- Tips for storing food in the refrigerator
- Tips for storing food on a shelf or cupboard
- Store food by datebest before and use by on the packaging
You may be accustomed to spending monthly to save on daily expenses. So that you don't get stale or rotten quickly, first read the following tips when storing food at home. Apart from saving money, storing food properly can also reduce the production of household waste.
Tips for storing food in the refrigerator
Foods that are stored in the refrigerator are usually durable and safe to eat until the expiration date printed on the packaging.
Here are some lists of foods that can be stored in the refrigerator:
- Pasteurized milk
- Fresh chicken, fish, beef, or other seafood
- Canned meat
- Butter
- Orange
- Strawberry
- Melon
- Apple
- Green vegetables such as mustard greens, spinach, and cabbage
However, don't just mix and pile up food in the refrigerator. Do not add or mix open meat, vegetables and fruits.
Store ready-to-eat foods such as corned beef, cheese, milk, tofu and tempeh, cooked meats, packaged foods, and cooked leftovers on the top and middle shelves.
Store fresh vegetables and fruit in the lower drawer, but keep clean cut and peeled fruit in a closed container before putting it in the refrigerator. Meanwhile, for fresh or frozen meat, store it in freezer, also in an airtight container (not still in plastic).
Give a little space between foods so that air circulation in the refrigerator continues. Set the minimum refrigerator temperature below 5 ° Celsius to slow down the growth of harmful microbes on food.
Another important tip: don't store hot food directly in the refrigerator. After cooking or heating, let the food cool first, then put it in the refrigerator. If not, the hot steam will force the refrigerator engine to work harder to cool the temperature inside. As a result, you will be more wasteful of electricity.
Tips for storing food on a shelf or cupboard
Not all food should be stored in the refrigerator. However, not all food can also be stored in a cupboard or kitchen shelf.
Ready-to-eat foods that are usually safe to store at room temperature or kitchen cabinets include:
- Bread
- Biscuits
- Jam
- Sugar
- Bottled syrup
- Canned drink
- Cheese
As for vegetables and fruit, only a few can be stored at room temperature as long as they are away from sunlight. When exposed to direct sunlight, it is feared that these fruits and vegetables will be too ripe to moldy rot.
Here's a list of fresh ingredients that can be stored outside the refrigerator:
- Potato
- Rice
- Banana
- Onion
- Avocado
- Pear
- Tomato
- Cooking spices such as hazelnut, coriander, ginger, turmeric, galangal
Before storing food on a shelf or kitchen cabinet, make sure to store it in a jar or airtight container that is tightly closed. First, make sure the cabinets and storage containers are completely clean. Store away from direct sunlight.
Do not place it directly on the floor. Food left on the floor can trigger insects such as ants and rats to destroy or take away your food.
Store food by datebest before and use by on the packaging
When storing food in the cupboard or refrigerator, organize them by recently purchased foods with older expiration dates in the back row. This helps you finish the food that is about to expire first.
But besides having to know the expiry date, you also need to know the meaning of the termbest before and use by listed on some food packaging.
Launching The European Food Information Council, best before is the deadline for warning to consume / process food before the stated date. The quality of the food will be best during that time. After the date has passed best before, food is still safe to eat but the quality in terms of taste, texture, or aroma may not be that great anymore.
Foods that are usually dated best before are canned food, dried, frozen food, and fresh fruit or vegetables.
While Use By is a warning about the last safe date to eat that food. Intent of Use by almost the same as the expiration date or expired date. After passing the set date, the food should not be consumed again even if the smell, texture or taste is still good.
Usage date Use By usually found in ready-to-eat foods, such as packaged milk, processed meats, and ready-to-eat salads.
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