October 19, 2022, 12:55 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
It happened again: The salad went bad, even though it was placed in the fridge with the tomatoes. And why have the oranges in the fruit bowl with the apples gone moldy again?
Some foods don’t get along, which is why they shouldn’t be stored together. They essentially support each other in the rotting process. This can be avoided by paying attention to proper storage. It’s not just about fruits and vegetables; even with raw eggs, you should be mindful of their “neighbors.” myHOMEBOOK explains which foods should never be placed next to each other.
Overview
Do not store fruits and vegetables together
Apples, pears, and bananas emit the gas ethylene as they ripen. This “ripening gas” also causes some nearby foods to ripen faster. This can be practical, for example, if you have green bananas and want them to turn yellow more quickly. However, it can also have the opposite effect. Ethylene can cause the food next to it to become overripe or spoil quickly, so they should not be stored together.
It’s also noteworthy that foods that emit ethylene are very sensitive to the gas from other foods. Fruits and vegetables that emit this gas should not be stored next to each other.
Related: 8 foods that don’t belong in the fridge
Ripening and non-ripening foods
Many types of vegetables are harvested ripe. They do not change their ripeness after harvest. This also applies to some fruits, such as strawberries or tropical fruits. If these foods are stored together with foods that emit ethylene, they do not ripen further but simply spoil faster.
The food industry takes advantage of this process. For example, when apples are stored, ethylene is filtered out of the air using appropriate equipment to make them last longer. Conversely, when unripe foods are harvested, ethylene is added during transport so they arrive ripe at the supermarket.
Expert Reveals the Ideal Place to Store Ripe Bananas
Can Green Strawberries Ripen?
Why a fruit bowl is not a good idea
As decorative as a well-filled fruit bowl may be, it’s not a particularly good idea. Too many foods emit ethylene, causing surrounding foods to spoil faster.
Also interesting: Why you shouldn’t store food in plastic ice containers
Foods that emit a lot of ethylene
- Apples and pears
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Stone fruits like nectarines, apricots, plums, or peaches
- Tomatoes
Foods that are particularly sensitive to ethylene
- Kiwi
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Mango
Also interesting: Fruits and vegetables you should only buy ripe
Never store eggs and onions together
It’s not just fruits and vegetables that require careful storage. Eggs and onions or leeks are also not good neighbors. Onions impart their aroma to eggs. Especially cut onions can give eggs an unpleasant aftertaste. Since eggs have a porous shell, the onion’s odor can penetrate.
It’s best to store eggs well-protected in the egg carton or in the refrigerator’s egg compartment. Onions should be stored in a dark and cool place; under the sink is a good spot.
Tip: Eggs should not be washed, advises the Chamber of Agriculture. The natural protective layer could be damaged. It protects the egg from germs and bacteria.