Chef LaLa, Master Chef & Healthy Lifestyle Expert | Chef Nourish Shares 6 Fresh Storage Tips for Popular Fruits & Vegetables

Want to make your fresh produce last longer? Follow these expert storage tips from Chef LaLa, a Master Chef and Healthy Lifestyle Expert, to keep your fruits and vegetables at peak freshness!

🍅 1. Keep Tomatoes Out of the Fridge

Refrigeration can make tomatoes mushy! Instead, store them at room temperature in a bowl lined with a paper towel, away from heat and sunlight.

🍄 2. Store Mushrooms in a Paper Bag

Remove mushrooms from packaging, clean them with a damp towel, dry thoroughly, and place them in a paper bag to prevent moisture buildup.

🍊 3. Refrigerate Fruits That Don’t Ripen After Picking

Berries, oranges, pineapples, cherries, grapes, and watermelon should go straight into the fridge. Lemons and limes can stay on the counter but last longer when chilled.

🥭 4. Let These Fruits Ripen First

Unripe pears, apricots, apples, peaches, plums, mangoes, melons, bananas, kiwis, and avocados should ripen on the counter. Once soft, move them to the fridge to slow ripening.

🍌 5. Separate Bananas to Slow Ripening

Bananas ripen faster when left in bunches. Keep them apart in a ventilated basket. Once ripe, refrigerate them in a plastic bag—the skin may darken, but the fruit stays fresh.

🍓 6. Store Strawberries in a Paper Bag

Strawberries absorb moisture quickly. Keep them in a paper bag in the fridge and check for dampness every other day to prevent spoilage.

✨ Pro Tip: Proper storage helps reduce food waste and keeps your produce tasting better for longer!