As the cost of living crisis continues to put pressure on household budgets, wasting food is something that many of us simply can’t afford. Fresh greens such as spinach and lettuce are a staple, particularly during spring and summer.
Unfortunately, they’re also notorious for wilting and spoiling quickly, typically within days of buying them.
Fortunately, there are several cost-effective ways to keep greens fresher for longer, including a simple 7p hack that uses a common kitchen item.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Allen Civlak, CEO of Mary’s Kitchen Flour Sack Towels, advised people to store their greens inside tin foil inside the fridge.
The foil acts as a “protective barrier” against air and light, he said.
Allen explained: “Aluminium foil is also great for keeping greens fresh because it creates a protective barrier that helps to maintain the ideal moisture level while also preventing exposure to air and light.
“It helps to lock in water, preventing greens from drying out too quickly, and creates a tight seal around the greens, minimising air exposure.
“This helps to slow down the oxidation process, which can cause greens to deteriorate and become limp.
“Finally, the aluminium foil helps to regulate temperature by providing insulation.
“This is useful in the fridge, where fluctuations in temperature can accelerate spoilage.”
This hack is backed by food experts at All Recipes, who tested the foil trick on lettuce and found it lasted 30 days in the fridge.
hey said: “The romaine heart that was left in the original packaging only lasted about two to three weeks with a lot of trimming around the edges due to wilting.
“But the romaine heart in the foil lasted beyond 30 days — and only wilted if you didn’t wrap it back up tightly enough.”
Aluminium foil can be bought from Tesco for £1.40 for 10 metres, working out at seven pence for a 50cm-long piece.
