Questions about how to store food so as to preserve its freshness and overall quality.
29
votes
1answer
3k views
How long can I store a food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer?
How do I know if a given food or ingredient I have is still good, or if I should discard it?
How can I best preserve a food or ingredient?
This broad question is intended as a "general reference" ...
32
votes
15answers
1k views
How to Store Fresh Herbs
What is the best way to store fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro? I find I have about the same luck with them whether they are left in a plastic bag or I put them in a cup of water.
16
votes
9answers
4k views
Can raw eggs be frozen?
If raw eggs are nearing their expiry date, can they be preserved in the freezer? Would there be any issues with them after taking them out of the freezer?
11
votes
6answers
4k views
Botulism, Garlic, Cold pressed Olive oil and mason jars
I make a product I invented called Maybe It's Marinade. Cold pressed extra virgin olive olive, pressed garlic as the base in three varieties, AoliOliO, Dill and Cayenne Pepper, garlic powder, and ...
73
votes
10answers
17k views
Is it safe to leave butter at room temperature?
Is it safe to leave butter at room temperature? If so, how long is it safe to keep it out?
25
votes
11answers
19k views
How long can I keep eggs in the refrigerator?
To keep eggs useful and healthy, what is the average time I can keep them in refrigerator? Can I freeze, and re-use them after melting, or will they be useless or not healthy to eat?
31
votes
5answers
12k views
Why does a brown paper bag speed ripening?
I often see this technique suggested as a way to speed ripening. Why does it?
Also, is there any data available on how fast it ripens comparatively?
13
votes
3answers
1k views
How should I organize my fruits for storage?
As I learnt from this post, there are some fruits that should not be kept together with the others (e.g. watermelon and apple). Which fruits should be kept separately in order to prevent rotting?
20
votes
6answers
5k views
How to store brown sugar without it becoming hard?
I put a clothes pin on my opened bags of brown sugar and keep them in a dark pantry at room temperature. Since I don't use it very often, it becomes hardened. My work-around is to use a grater to ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
What can I do to help my avocados ripen?
I bought some avocados recently, and one of them was rock hard when I tried to cut it. I left it out for a couple days hoping it would ripen, but it didn't help.
What can I do to help my avocados ...
34
votes
7answers
3k views
Why do some foods taste better the next day?
Many people think that certain foods, like lasagna, many stews and hearty soups, tomato sauce and so forth taste better the next day. My question is, is that really true, and if so, why? The ...
27
votes
9answers
5k views
Should I refrigerate eggs?
I've read a lot of conflicting advice on whether it's advisable to store eggs in the refrigerator. The case against seems twofold: (1) that eggshells are porous, and eggs can take on unwelcome ...
16
votes
9answers
5k views
Fresh basil storage
How should fresh basil be stored? The packaging suggests that the optimal temperature is around 50°F, but I can't think of anywhere in an average kitchen at that temperature. A pantry is too warm, and ...
47
votes
8answers
9k views
Is it safe to put hot food in the fridge?
I heard that putting really warm food in the fridge right after cooking it is not the right thing to do. It might cause bacterial growth? Is this true?
18
votes
8answers
4k views
What are the pros and cons of storing bread in various locations?
Why should/shouldn't I store my bread in the fridge/freezer/breadbox/plastic bag/etc?
16
votes
4answers
461 views
Is there any way to remove stains (e.g. from curries and pasta sauces) from plastic containers?
I like using microwaveable plastic containers to bring my lunch in as they are my lighter than the Pyrex/glass versions. However, reheating my food up creates unsightly stains.
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Storing Baking Soda
How can I store baking soda outside of the box it comes in? I buy baking soda in the orange box all the time however, I don't use it that often but hate leaving it in that box. Is there a proper way ...
10
votes
1answer
4k views
How long can I store soaked beans before cooking?
I've soaked some beans in room temperature water overnight, since 6pm (white navy beans).
How long can I keep them in water before I must use them?
Will they last a day or so at room temperature ...
6
votes
1answer
722 views
Can I eat cheese which has been “infected” with blue cheese mold?
Recently, I bought two pieces of cheese - St. Agur and Pyrenean cheese. They were cut from wheels, not pre-packaged. At home, I removed the foil and placed them in the same plastic container in the ...
23
votes
13answers
945 views
Good ways to store coffee?
What are some key points to store coffee to preserve freshness?
Different methods for whole beans vs ground?
8
votes
6answers
3k views
dry garlic in oil --> botulism risk?
My girlfriend and I are thinking of preparing some flavored oils for Christmas presents this year (don't tell anyone!). We've read online that fresh garlic presents a health hazard when stored at room ...
12
votes
6answers
4k views
Can I prevent honey from congealing/hardening in the pantry?
This question is inspired by this answer suggesting that honey lasts a long time. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to last so long in my cupboard. I make sure it's sealed tight, but usually after only ...
10
votes
3answers
18k views
Will avocado stay fresh longer if stored in the refrigerator?
Should I store avocado in the refrigerator or will it make no difference for how long they stay fresh?
7
votes
3answers
6k views
How to keep fresh-squeezed fruit juice?
Is there any way to keep fresh-squeezed fruit juice (especially apple or orange) for at least one week without losing taste and vitamins in it? Would a jar with a tight lid be useful?
5
votes
1answer
965 views
How to remove smell from plastic lid?
A set of Ikea glass jars are used for home counter top food storage. One of them was temporarily used to store bars of soap. Now it is wanted back in the kitchen. The plastic in the lid is retaining ...
23
votes
5answers
589 views
Shelf life of spices
The common wisdom I've heard is that dried herbs and spices:
have a shelf-life of about a year or 2
keep best in a cool dark place
will release more flavor when crushed
That's fine but some spices ...
5
votes
5answers
24k views
How long can you keep chocolate, and what is the best way to store it?
For instance, I have some bars of Valrhona I use for chocolate tarts and pastries, but I haven't been doing the dessert thing in a while. How long does chocolate last before losing flavor (or does ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
Storing Pizza Stone in Oven
I have heard that you can leave a pizza stone in the oven all the time, essentially storing it there. What are the considerations to keep in mind when doing this (type of oven, placement of stone, ...
12
votes
1answer
841 views
Why do bananas turn black in the refrigerator?
I've noticed that a banana in the refrigerator will turn pitch black in just a few hours. Why is this?
7
votes
2answers
710 views
When to refrigerate bottled sauces?
When the bottle doesn't say, how does one know when to refrigerate sauces?
For example: soy sauce, fish sauce, etc.
6
votes
3answers
8k views
Do Bouillon Cubes/Powder go bad?
I just found an old jar of Beef Bouillon cubes and although there is no expiration date, I'm a bit skeptical about using them - do they go bad?
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Oxidized Avocado: What's Going on & How to Prevent It
So what exactly happens to the flavor of avocados when it oxidizes? I made some guacamole and as many are familiar, it forms that yucky garbage-green color.
Now, it tastes different. I'm not sure if ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
How to keep 'fresh' chorizo?
A relative of mine is in food retail, and recently she gave me some chorizo. With the basic advice 'hang it in the fridge'
I am not sure if it is edible as yet, and how long it will be edible for, ...
2
votes
3answers
8k views
Need to refrigerate vinaigrette?
I've made a red-wine vinaigrette dressing using olive oil (which makes up the majority of the dressing), red wine, garlic, and basil.
My problem is that whenever I take it out of the refrigerator, ...
43
votes
8answers
1k views
Once a month cooking
I've heard of "once a month cooking" or "freezer cooking," where you basically spend a day cooking and fill your freezer with the next month's worth of food. This could especially come in handy when ...
8
votes
2answers
382 views
How to keep fruits and vegetables fresh
I enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, but the problem is that they seem to go back extremely quickly. It isn't realistic for me to go shopping multiple times a week. Are there any tricks to keeping ...
14
votes
6answers
5k views
Is it safe to reuse loose tea leaves the next day? What precautions need to be taken for storing tea for reuse?
I'm a fan of green tea and I find myself reusing the tea leaves 2-3 times a day. Sometimes I'll just store the leaves and reuse them the next day but it got me thinking if what I'm doing is actually ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Best way store stocks in freezer?
What do you think is the best way to store stocks in the freezer? Ice cubes? Plastic bags? etc.
Also, what would be the optimal portion size? 100ml, 1/2 cups, etc.
10
votes
2answers
623 views
How to store Onion
I've just harvested onions from my garden. I have quite a few and should last me about 3+ months. What is the best way to prepare the onions for storage and how should I store them so they last as ...
17
votes
10answers
10k views
Should tomatoes be stored in the fridge?
Storing tomatoes in the fridge tends to make them last a bit longer, but I've heard that the flavor is negatively affected. What is the best way to store them?
16
votes
4answers
5k views
how to store lettuce
what is the best way to store letuce in the fridge?
should I store it in a air thight bag on in an open bag?
should I wash and cut it first?
should it be stored wet or patted dry?
thanks
16
votes
1answer
1k views
Is it better to store chocolate in the fridge or at room temperature?
What is the best way to store dark chocolate to preserve chocolate and flavour?
16
votes
6answers
3k views
Storing knives: wood block or magnetic stripe?
What's better for storing your knives? Wood block or magnetic stripe? And why?
11
votes
2answers
936 views
How to store garlic?
When I buy garlic, I normally put it in a bowl on the kitchen counter or in the pantry, and then pop off cloves as need. Sometimes, if the garlic has been around for a while, I find what looks like ...
10
votes
5answers
965 views
Is it worth roasting my own red peppers?
I recently realized roasted red peppers make so many of my dishes pop, but it's a pretty pricey ingredient. A small jar costs three bucks and a big jar is seven. At my local grocer I can get red ...
8
votes
2answers
9k views
Is it scientifically verified that bananas will ripen faster when kept in a bowl with other fruit?
I've heard you shouldn't keep bananas in a bowl with other fruit. But they all look so happy together.
What I'd like to see is hard science here. Or at least documented and repeatable observation. ...
8
votes
3answers
756 views
Will vegetables and fresh herbs last longer in the refrigerator in a plastic bag?
Is there a difference between how long fresh herbs and vegetables last if they are in a plastic bag or in the open? If it does, is there a break-down of which ones it does make a difference for - ...
4
votes
3answers
172 views
Should ghee be kept out of light?
I have ghee in clear glass jar on a shelf in my kitchen, would it keep for longer if I try to store it in a dark place? Does light speed up oxidation?
4
votes
5answers
403 views
Hints on storage of vegetables and fruit
Different fruits and vegetables require different treatment in order to preserve their integrity, micronutrient contents and especially taste over the longest period possible.
Time and again I am ...
2
votes
4answers
638 views
Is there a way to bring a loaf of bread that's gone dry, back to life?
It seems that some of the whole grain loafs seem to dry out very quickly, even stored in a plastic bag - if it hasn't started to turn green, is there a way to restore some of the life back into them?
