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Food storage section
Just imagine how different our lives would be if fridges and freezers hadn't been invented yet.
Well, for those that don't do the cooking at home it wouldn't make much difference, although where would you run to if you fancied a huge bowl of ice cream?
Different foods must be stored at different temperatures and under different conditions, and our guide to storing food will explain how.
Well, for those that don't do the cooking at home it wouldn't make much difference, although where would you run to if you fancied a huge bowl of ice cream?
Different foods must be stored at different temperatures and under different conditions, and our guide to storing food will explain how.
The advantages of modern cooling appliances
The invention of these cooling appliances has also opened up to new ways of cooking and preparing food. In the olden days, meat and fish were typically preserved through salting or pickling, but nowadays we can do so much more with our food.
Thankfully, though, we do have fridges and freezers, which means that we can store fresh foods for longer and can plan meals for days, weeks and even months at a time.
Not only are we able to store our food for longer, but we are also able to protect it from bacteria and germs as well so there is less chance of us falling ill - provided that we follow the guidelines for correct storage, which you can read about in this section of the site.
Thankfully, though, we do have fridges and freezers, which means that we can store fresh foods for longer and can plan meals for days, weeks and even months at a time.
Not only are we able to store our food for longer, but we are also able to protect it from bacteria and germs as well so there is less chance of us falling ill - provided that we follow the guidelines for correct storage, which you can read about in this section of the site.
Where to store your food
Now, the refrigerator and freezer are not the only places in which to store food. Many items can be kept in a cupboard, pantry or on a shelf. These foodstuffs, however, have generally been preserved one way or another. For example, they may be sold in a tin or jar or have been sealed in a protective packaging that keeps air and moisture out.
Food storage is actually quite a scientific topic. There are many rules and regulations about how to store food, which you will read about in more detail in the following pages. But, when it comes to storing fresh or leftover cooked food, or even food that needs to be frozen, you need to think about how long the item can be stored for, the best way to protect it so that it stays fresh and uncontaminated, where it is best stored so that it keeps its flavour and freshness and for storing food in the refrigerator, which shelf or compartment it should be stored in.
Food storage is actually quite a scientific topic. There are many rules and regulations about how to store food, which you will read about in more detail in the following pages. But, when it comes to storing fresh or leftover cooked food, or even food that needs to be frozen, you need to think about how long the item can be stored for, the best way to protect it so that it stays fresh and uncontaminated, where it is best stored so that it keeps its flavour and freshness and for storing food in the refrigerator, which shelf or compartment it should be stored in.
Different methods for different foods
Did you know that some foods are not actually suitable for freezing as they lose their nutrient content, texture and flavour in the process? Additionally, we would not store dry foods such as cereal or flour in the refrigerator. So, there really is a lot to think about when it comes to storing your food.
How long can you store your food items?
Another point for consideration is how long certain foods can be kept if they have been opened from the packaging in which they were sold. For example, a jar of commercially prepared mayonnaise will keep fresh at room temperature for 2 months if the jar is unopened, yet unopened and stored in the fridge it can keep for up to a year. If you open the jar of mayonnaise, it should always be kept in the fridge and must be consumed within two months. Mayonnaise should not be frozen either.
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All food products should contain guidelines on how to store them, indicating where the item should be stored and for how long before it must be consumed. If you are buying fresh fish or meat from the fishmonger or butcher, you can always ask the vendor how best to store your purchased goods for optimum flavour and freshness. More details on this are offered on the shelf life of food page in this section.
Obviously, the fresher the food product, the longer you will be able to keep it before it goes off. Ensure that you buy good quality fresh produce for the best results, not to mention the best flavour and textures. Fruit and vegetables from your local market is most likely to be a much better bet than those found in the supermarket, which could have been sitting in a storeroom out the back somewhere before being placed out on the shop floor. Purchasing locally grown or reared produce is also a safer bet as less handling and travel times are involved.
Nevertheless, buying food close to its sell-by date is not a bad option if you are aiming to save money or are on a tight budget, but you must ensure that you consume it the same day and store it under optimum conditions until it is time to prepare it.
Obviously, the fresher the food product, the longer you will be able to keep it before it goes off. Ensure that you buy good quality fresh produce for the best results, not to mention the best flavour and textures. Fruit and vegetables from your local market is most likely to be a much better bet than those found in the supermarket, which could have been sitting in a storeroom out the back somewhere before being placed out on the shop floor. Purchasing locally grown or reared produce is also a safer bet as less handling and travel times are involved.
Nevertheless, buying food close to its sell-by date is not a bad option if you are aiming to save money or are on a tight budget, but you must ensure that you consume it the same day and store it under optimum conditions until it is time to prepare it.
Protection
The final thing to remember is to keep each food item safely wrapped, sealed or protected before putting it away to be stored. For this, plastic airtight containers, aluminium tubs with lids, jars, protective paper and storage bags are all useful utensils for this. Try to keep storage spaces as clean as possible at all times and clear up any drips, leaks or spillages as they occur.
By following our guidelines for correct food storage provided within this section (see links below), you will always ensure that your food stays fresher for longer, you save money by not having to throw food out and the food that you prepare will always taste much better.
By following our guidelines for correct food storage provided within this section (see links below), you will always ensure that your food stays fresher for longer, you save money by not having to throw food out and the food that you prepare will always taste much better.
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