Mum did always say to eat your vegetables. And she isn?t wrong about that.
With the myriad of health benefits associated with leafy greens, it?s a wonder why many of us fail to put enough of it into our daily diets. From nutrients, such as iron and potassium, to vitamins, such as Vitamin C and K, fibre and antioxidants, leafy greens make one of the best sources of vegetables to consume.
However, if you?re like many of us, the problem isn?t with buying the vegetables, but rather not wasting them.
Leafy greens have a tendency to wilt exponentially quicker than most other vegetables. With a general good by date of no more than 5 days, many consumers are challenged to find ways to avoid wastage.
However, with the advanced technology of storage products such as fresh and crisp salad bags or airtight salad containers, what seemed impossible is now possible.
How to wash leafy greens before storage
If not the most important step, the preparation stage of the process plays an essential role in the lifespan of your leafy greens.
The most effective method of ensuring that your leafy greens gain the maximum storage lifespan in the fridge is to wash them thoroughly, discarding any wilted and damaged produce.
Firstly, go through the bag of leafy greens and toss out the ones that no longer seem fresh for consumption. This will help avoid any cross contamination which will accelerate the wilting process for other leaves in close contact.
Once done, put the good batch of the leafy greens into a bowl and fill it up with water. Add a vegetable wash solution such as veggie soap, a bicarbonate soda solution, or a vinegar and water solution in the bowl. Let the leafy greens soak for a good three minutes before rinsing them thoroughly to get rid of the solution.
The drying process
Now that you have clean vegetables that are ready to keep, it’s time to dry them thoroughly to avoid moisture retention which will also speed up the decay process.
If you have a salad spinner, use that to your convenience. If not, use a strainer and shake it over the sink.
For optimal drying, spread the leafy greens on a plate, creating a single layer if possible, and use a paper towel and dab them dry.
How to keep leafy greens to last fresher for longer
The most effective storage method for leafy greens is a fresh and crisp salad bag. These bags have been specially designed to help salad vegetables stay fresher for longer in the fridge.
Using vacuum technology to keep our air and other external interferences outside of the bag, there will be no contamination inside. Water is also kept at bay to avoid any acceleration of decay or wilting.
The best way to avoid faster wilting is to store your leafy greens according to type and avoid mixing your vegetables when storing.
If you don?t have a fresh and crisp salad bag at hand, a plain ziplock bag can suffice but may not keep the leafy greens fresh for up to three weeks.
Other storage solutions include airtight salad containers and regular containers. These will help do the job but also may not help keep your leafy greens from wilting beyond the one week mark.
Now that you are equipped to storing leafy greens in the fridge to last fresher for longer, you shouldn?t have any issue incorporating them into a healthier diet. Remember, fresh and crisp salad bags are the most effective storage solution for fresh leaves that will last up to three weeks.
Not only does storing your leafy greens properly to last longer avoid wastage, but it also results in a healthier grocery budget allowing you to spend more on the things you love.