Most produce doesn't belong in a sealed bag
The single biggest storage mistake most kitchens make is trapping produce in a sealed plastic bag straight from the shop. Trapped moisture and ethylene gas (which fruits naturally release as they ripen) speed up spoilage rather than slow it down. A loosely closed bag, a paper bag, or an open container in the fridge's vegetable drawer almost always outperforms a tightly sealed one.
Not everything belongs in the fridge
Potatoes, onions and garlic should stay out of the fridge entirely — cold temperatures convert their starches to sugar and change both texture and taste, and moisture in the fridge encourages sprouting. Store them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated spot instead, and keep onions and potatoes apart, since onions release moisture that speeds up potato spoilage. Tomatoes are another common fridge mistake — refrigeration dulls their flavour and turns the texture mealy; a cool countertop, out of direct sun, is better unless they're already very ripe.
Separate the ripeners from everyone else
Some fruits — bananas, mangoes, apples — release a lot of ethylene gas as they ripen, which speeds up ripening (and eventually spoilage) in whatever produce sits near them. Keep these separated from leafy greens and other vegetables in the fridge, or you'll find your spinach wilting faster than it should for no obvious reason.
A five-minute habit that pays off
Right after a shopping trip, take five minutes to sort produce: wipe off excess moisture, remove any rubber bands or ties, wrap leafy greens loosely in a dry cloth, and separate the ethylene producers from the rest. It sounds fussy the first time, but it becomes automatic quickly, and the difference in how long your produce actually lasts is significant.
Ask our staff for storage tips on anything you buy — we restock daily, so we know exactly how long each item has left in it.
Keep reading
- Summer Fruits in Delhi: What's in Season and How to Store Them
- 7 Leafy Greens Every Delhi Kitchen Should Stock This Winter
- 5 Simple Ways to Tell If Produce Is Actually Fresh
Looking for fresh fruits and vegetables in West Delhi? Visit our Hari Nagar store, open 6 AM–10 PM every day.