Best Tricks to keep Fruits and Vegetables fresh for long

Lemon juice

An effective antioxidant, lemon juice contains citric acid which prevents the oxidization process and, thus, prevents browning. Squeeze lemon juice over fruits or vegetables to keep them fresh. You could also soak the cut pieces in a bowl of cold water and lemon juice (one teaspoon juice for one cup water) for 3-5 minutes, before rinsing and draining.

Pineapple juice

Pineapple juice has antioxidant properties similar to lemon and can be used to prevent browning.

Soda water

In case lemon or pineapple juices are not available, keep your fruits from turning brown by using soda water or club soda. This preservative does not affect the taste of the fruits.

Salt

Salt is a natural preservative; sprinkle some over a plate of sliced fruits to keep them from darkening. Another way is to dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of salt into one cup of water and soak the slices for a few minutes. After draining, rinse them off with fresh water to avoid any taste of salt.

Citric acid

Citric and ascorbic acids are naturally forming organic compounds with antioxidant properties. Sprinkle them on freshly-cut fruit slices and keep them fresh for as long as eight hours.

Vinegar

This can be used as an easy replacement for citric acid, but it is important to dilute the vinegar considering its sourness. Add a tablespoon to a bowl of water and soak the cut fruit slices for a few minutes before serving or storing them.

Thermotherapy

To prevent berries from growing mouldy overnight, give them a hot bath to kill off spores. Next, spread them on a towel to dry and then store them in refrigerator.

Plastic wrap

Plastic wraps cut off the air contact with a sliced fruit, thus preventing oxidizing and browning. Just make sure that the wrap is covered tightly with no air pockets left.

Honey

Mix two tablespoons of honey in a cup of water and soak the sliced fruits in the mixture for 30 seconds. Honey keeps the fruits from browning by deactivating the enzymes responsible for oxidization.

Lime soda and ginger ale

Carbonated drinks such as lime soda and ginger ale contain citric acid. Soak the fruit slices for a few minutes in a bowl containing the carbonated drink. After draining, rinse them with fresh water or let the added flavor make your fruits taste a little different than usual.

Now, let's take a look at ways of keeping specific fruits and vegetables fresher for longer.

Avocados

Pip the avocado, squeeze lemon juice on the fleshy surface and then tightly cover the pieces in plastic wrap to last longer.

Apples

This method can be used only if the apple's outer layer is left intact. After cutting the fruit in half longitudinally, hold the slices together using a rubber band. This prevents the flesh’s exposure to air and keeps it from browning.

Apples

This method is best for apples that you plan to use for cooking or baking purposes. Put the slices in a pot of boiling water for around five minutes. Next, rinse them under running cold water and drain. The blanching process deactivates the enzymes that react with oxygen and turns the fruit brown.

Bananas

For bananas to last for a few days, seal them in a plastic bag and keep them in the fridge. The peel might turn brown or black due to enzymes present in them, but the cold temperature will keep the flesh within from ripening further.

Leafy greens

If lettuce, spinach or any other leafy greens appear wilted after being refrigerated for around two days, you can still regain their freshness with an ice bath. Dip the leaves in a bowl with ice and water and shake them gently for a few minutes. After draining, spread the leaves on a dry towel to get rid of any extra moisture.

Broccoli

To make broccoli and celery last longer, wrap them in aluminum foil before storing in the refrigerator. This will keep them from wilting.

Tomatoes

Always store tomatoes at room temperature as putting them in a refrigerator results in wrinkled skin and reduced flavor. Keep them in a bowl lined with paper towel with their stems facing upward.