In most of the present-day houses and the living, both the husband and the wife belong to the working cadre. Because of this, they cannot make daily trips to the vegetable, fruit/grocery shops on a daily basis. In such a scenario, the refrigerator acts as the God’s gift to the family!
It is quite necessary to maintain the temperature range in the refrigerator between 34 Degrees Fahrenheit and 40 Degrees Fahrenheit. This would facilitate the food item kept in the fridge fresh for a longer period.
It is worthwhile here to know the period the different items can be kept and for how long.
Fruits
- Apple – can be kept for 2 weeks.
- Banana – better kept outside the fridge. It is advisable to use within 3 days as the green on the skin goes away.
- Grapes – Grapes must not be washed before keeping in the fridge – they can be kept for 6 days.
- Orange – can be kept for 2 weeks.
- Pineapple – if ripe, can be kept for 3 days.
- Watermelon – can be kept for 6 to 8 days.
- Lemon – can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
- Berry type of fruits – can be kept in a plastic bag inside the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
- Pear, Sapota, guava – Keep them out until they are ripe. Once ripe, they can be kept inside the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- Plums – 3 to 5 days.
Vegetables
- Beans – Wash it well and then keep the fridge and use before 3 to 5 days.
- Brinjal-Eggplant – Can be kept outside as well. However, must be used within a week.
- Tomato – Can be kept both inside and outside the fridge. Use before a week’s time.
- Carrot – wash well. Cut the head part off. Keep in a plastic bag – can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
- Beetroot – can be kept for 2 weeks.
- Cauliflower and radish – can be kept for 2 weeks.
- Lady’s finger (okra) – can be kept for 5 to 7 days.
- Potato – Keep outside in an airy place – can be used within 2 months.
- Onion – Keep outside in an airy place and use within a month.
- Capsicum or bell-pepper – Wash well and dry. Keep in a plastic bag for 3 to 5 days.
- Greens – Can be kept in a plastic bag for 3 to 5 days.
- Cabbage and celery – Keep in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
- Mushroom –can be kept for a maximum of 2 days.
- Cucumber and pumpkin – Can be kept for a week.
Non-vegetarian items
- Egg – can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 5 weeks. Otherwise, use before the expiry date.
- Boiled egg – Can be kept for 5 to 6 days.
- White of the egg – can be kept for 2 to 3 days.
- Yellow of the egg – can be kept for 2 to 3 days.
- Fresh chicken – unskinned – Can be kept for 1 to 2 days.
- Fresh mutton or beef – Can be kept for 1 to 3 days.
- Fish – can be kept for 1 to 2 days.
- Prawn or crab – Can be kept for 2 days.
- Cooked meat – must be used within 4 days.
- Fried meat or gravy – Can be kept for 2 to 3 days.
- Cooked fish – can be kept for 3 to 4 days.
- Fresh fish – can be kept for 1 or 2 days.
- Crab with shell – Can be kept for 2 days.
- Uncooked fresh prawn – can be kept for 1 day.
Milk items
For milk items and other dairy products, it is best to note the expiry date and use as per that. It is advisable to buy just the required quantity y for the family – this will ensure good health as well as prevent wasteful expenditure.
- Milk or cream-removed milk – 1 week
- Conditioned milk, sweet cream- flavoured – 10-14 days as per the date of manufacturing indicated in the pack.
- Buttermilk – 2 weeks
- Curd – 7 to 10 days
By ensuring the safekeeping of vegetables and fruits as indicated above, we can judiciously use them, you will also save money.