Apples
Ideally store your apples in the fridge to make them last as long as possible. For the best flavour, take them out of the fridge and allow them to get to room temperature before you eat them. Apples give off ethylene gas so it is best to store them away from other fruit and vegetables to prevent them ripening more quickly.
Bacon
Bacon should be kept in the meat drawer, or at the bottom of your fridge, as this tends to be the coldest section. It will freeze well. Freeze it in the pack, or to minimise freezer burn you may want to place the pack in an airtight container. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before cooking.
Bananas
Bananas are best stored in a cool room away from other fruit or vegetables. They produce ethylene gas which causes them and any fruit stored near them to ripen. To slow the ripening process down try wrapping the banana stems in cling film or foil and always store away from other produce. The banana skin may become spotted or even completely black but the flesh can still be used for cooking. Why not try a banana bread...
Beef Mince
Mince must be kept refrigerated and ideally covered until needed. Store it in the meat drawer or at the bottom of the fridge where it's the coldest. If you're unlikely to eat the whole pack before the Use By date, it's fine to freeze. You can freeze in the pack or to minimise freezer burn you may want to place the pack in an airtight container. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge and use the same day.
Broccoli
Broccoli beads are lots of tiny flowers which need to be kept cold to prevent the flowers opening and turning yellow. For the best life it's best to store broccoli in a fridge.
Butter & Spreads
Keep butter and spreads refrigerated. Many freeze well, so if you only use a small amount at a time, consider freezing half a tub to use later.
Carrots & Trimmed Green Beans
Carrots and trimmed beans will dehydrate when kept at room temperature so keep them in the fridge to help them last as long as possible.
Chicken
Chicken must be kept refrigerated and ideally covered until needed. Store it in the meat drawer or at the bottom of the fridge where it's the coldest. If you're unlikely to eat the whole pack before the Use By date, it's fine to freeze. You can freeze in the pack, or to minimise freezer burn you may want to place the pack in an airtight container. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge and use the same day.
Grapes
Ideally store your grapes in the fridge to make them last as long as possible. For the best flavour take them out of the fridge and allow them to get to room temperature before you eat them.
Lettuce
Lettuce dehydrates quickly and so doesn't last as long if kept at room temperature. Keep it in the salad drawer of the fridge and take it out as you need it to maximise product life. Keep it fresher for longer by wrapping it in a paper towel to absorb moisture. Bagged lettuce has a Use By date and so must be used by that date.
Milk
Always store milk in the main body of the fridge where it's the coldest and minimise the time it's at room temperature. Some brands of milk now have a best before date meaning that they can be used beyond the date on the bottle. If in doubt, consider using the milk in your cooking rather than throwing it away or freezing it. Bottles can leak and crack if frozen so it's safer to decant into a plastic container leaving room for expansion. When you want to use it, defrost in the fridge. If your milk has a Use By date, make sure you use it within 24 hours of defrosting.
Onions
Whole onions and shallots are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated room. Ideal places include the pantry, cellar, basement or garage. Onions need to breathe so remove any plastic packaging and place them in a net or mesh bag. Peeled or cut onions will dehydrate so it's best to store in the salad drawer of the fridge to help them last as long as possible.
Oranges & Lemons
Ideally store your oranges and lemons in the fridge to make them last as long as possible. For the best flavour take them out of the fridge and allow them to get to room temperature before you use them. If the flesh has started to wither, the pulp may still be ok to eat. If you're concerned, think about juicing them or using in your cooking.
Sugar
Sugar is one of those items that can be stored indefinitely if packaged correctly. Storing sugar is as easy as keeping it away from moisture, put it in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place.
Tomatoes & Peppers
Although there is a difference of opinion about tomatoes, these salad items will last longer if stored in the fridge. Simply wash, dry and wrap in a paper towel to absorb moisture. Some people like to place the wrapped produce in an airtight storage container/ ziplock bag but water can gather in the container, so it's better to simply store them in the salad drawer at the bottom of the fridge. Always cover the cut end in foil to maintain the quality for longer. Tomatoes and peppers can be frozen but once defrosted are best used in cooked foods such as soup.
General hacks
Date Codes
Product Life
