The UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste every year, a figure which has the potential to feed roughly 30 million people a year, according to The Eco Experts. One major reason Britons end up wasting food is that it goes off before they have a chance to eat it.
But one way to keep food fresh and edible for longer could be to do with where you are storing it in your fridge.
Not only should you properly prepare lettuce before storing it, but the exact spot you store it in your fridge could make all the difference.
Furthermore, Vlatka Lake, a storage expert at Space Station states that storing lettuce beside certain fruits and vegetables could be detrimental to its lifespan.
“The correct way to store lettuce depends on its form,” explained Vlatka. “If you grow your own or prefer to purchase a full head of lettuce, you should either keep it in its original plastic wrap or cut off the stem before wrapping it in a paper towel to absorb moisture.
“You should then place it in a crisper drawer in the fridge.”
If you have purchased lettuce in the form of separated leaves, then the way you store it may be slightly different.
Vlatka explained: “You should transfer the lettuce to an air-tight storage container lined with a paper towel.
“However, if you wish to keep it in its original packaging, you should carefully open the bag and add a paper towel, before resealing with a secure clip, making sure you replace the paper towel regularly.”
Placing a paper towel in your bag of lettuce will absorb moisture that would otherwise cause leaves to rot. You can replace the paper towel with a fresh one every day for the best results.
Some experts also suggest storing lettuce upside down, so that it sits on top of the paper towel.
“Another thing to remember when storing lettuce, is to keep it away from any ethylene-producing items, such as apples and onions,” continued Vlatka. “When exposed to this gas, it will rot and discolour at a much quicker pace.”
Depending on the type of produce, lettuce can generally be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days when properly washed or prepared. However, lettuce is usually at its best when used within two to three days, particularly if it is in leaf form, chopped or shredded.
