If you don’t store your celery correctly, it tends to get limp and lose its characteristic crunch.
Known to be a versatile vegetable, it can be used in everything from a green juice to a tuna salad sandwich or Bloody Mary recipe.
Part of the Apiaceae family along with carrots, fennel, parsnips, as well as herbs such as parsley and spices such as cumin, the root vegetable is high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals with a low glycemic index.
It also boasts antioxidants that protect cells, blood vessels and organs from oxidative damage, as well as reduces inflammation and supports digestion in part due to its alkalizing effect on the body, according to Healthline.
As grocery prices soar, it is essential to get the best bang for your buck, whether your bananas, honey, or bread, and even consider opting for frozen produce when necessary. Here are four ways to store your celery.
READ MORE: Six groceries you should buy frozen – they last up to a year
Key information about storing celery
Celery must be stored in cold temperature environments with high humidity to keep it damp and cold, which will keep it fresh for longer.
Experts advise against storing it in plastic bags including the ones it is often sold in because it traps ethylene, a gaseous hormone that celery naturally produces, which hastens its ripening. To that end, plastic is not ideal for human or environmental health.
Similarly, it should not be left out of the fridge for too long or else it will turn flaccid and dry out.
Four ways to store your celery
1. Paper towel method
This highly recommended option involves wrapping the celery in a damp paper towel, a single layer will suffice, an expert told Martha Stewart.
However, before wrapping, make sure to rinse to wash off dust and dirt and pay dry before cutting off the ends of the celery stalks.
After wrapping it in the paper towel, you can store it in a container with a partial seal, so that it can breathe. It should last between two weeks to a month.
2. Foil method
Another highly-recommended method is to wrap rinsed and dried celery in tin foil without sealing the ends. It will last between two weeks to a month.
3. Glass jar method
Similar to putting flowers in a vase, storing pre-washed and cut celery sticks in a glass jar with water, root side down, in the fridge is an optimal way to store it. This method helps the vegetable retain its moisture.
4. Freezer method
When circumstances call for it, it may make sense to freeze celery. However, experts warn against putting raw celery in the freezer. This is because it needs to be blanched, a chopping method, beforehand to help it retain its texture, color, and flavor.
To do so, experts advise placing it in boiling water for a few minutes before moving it into an ice bath for 2-3 minutes. Afterwards, let it cool before freezing.
