Your lettuce will stay crisp and fresh for longer if you add one item to salad bag now
WITH the arrival of 2025, people across the country will be stocking up on healthy food to overcome the festive bloat.
And it doesn’t get much healthier than a trusty salad.
But many people find themselves topping up on lettuce every time they head to the supermarket as it can go soggy very quickly.
This is due to excess moisture which speeds up wilting, while poor airflow can cause leaves to spoil faster.
Thankfully, a sustainability expert has revealed that you can keep your green leaves fresh for longer if you follow his handy tip.
Scott Evans, from the self-storage company Pink Storage, is a food waste pro who likes to help people get the most out of their produce.
Food waste is a growing problem in many households, and with the cost of living continuing to rise, finding ways to make your food last longer is more important than ever.
With Christmas out of the way, many of us will have to make our money stretch further this January and one way is to make our food last longer.
And storage expert Scott says adding a simple kitchen staple to your salad bag can make a huge difference when it comes to lettuce.
He said: “A quick and easy trick is to pop a paper towel inside your salad container or bag. It absorbs excess moisture, which helps prevent the leaves from wilting too soon.
“Just remember to change the towel every few days for best results.”
In general, Scott also suggests rotating food in your fridge.
Sometimes, food gets pushed to the back and can be forgotten about, only to be discovered weeks later when it is out of date.
Scott advises: “While you can manually rotate items in your fridge, it’s easy to forget.
“Instead, try using a spinning kitchen gadget, like a rotating fridge organiser, to keep everything visible and within reach.
“If you can see it, you’re far more likely to use it before it spoils.”
Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide
Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer.
However, this can compromise the flavour.
Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould.
Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables.
He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste.
He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker.