বাংলাIn a busy life, it has become almost impossible for many to go to the market every day. So, as a solution, we choose to do the week’s market all at once. We often arrange all the fruits and vegetables together in the kitchen basket or refrigerator drawer. Although it looks beautiful, science says—this habit is the main reason for your favorite groceries rotting quickly.
A special gas is emitted from many fruits and vegetables, which, if in contact with each other, perish quickly. Which vegetables and fruits should never be kept together are discussed in detail below:
Apple and Watermelon
Apples produce large amounts of ethylene gas. If you keep watermelon next to an apple, the watermelon will become soft and watery very quickly. It is wise to always keep watermelon separate.
Potato and Onion
Most Bengali families have the habit of keeping potatoes and onions in the same basket or shelf. But it is not healthy at all. Onions rot quickly due to absorbing the gas emitted from potatoes. Also, if the potato is near the onion, the moisture and some sulfur compounds released from the onion cause the potato to sprout very quickly, making it unfit for consumption. So, these two should always be kept in separate, dry, and ventilated places.
Tomato and Cucumber
Keeping these two inseparable companions of salad together in the fridge or basket can cause trouble. A lot of ethylene gas is emitted from tomatoes. When in contact with this gas, the cucumber loses its freshness, quickly turns yellow, and begins to rot and soften.
Experts suggest that tomatoes should be kept in an open place at normal room temperature and cucumbers stay fresh for many days if kept separately in the fridge wrapped in paper.
Apple and Carrot
Although apples look beautiful and are nutritious, they can be harmful to other vegetables. The ethylene gas emitted from apples changes the taste of carrots and ruins them quickly. Often it is seen that the carrots kept in the fridge become bitter in a few days, the main reason for which could be the apple kept next to them. So, even if kept in the fridge, these two should be kept in separate drawers or separate polythene bags.
Banana and Other Soft Fruits
Banana is a big source of ethylene gas. If any other fruit is in contact with a banana, it ripens much before time and starts rotting quickly. Especially fruits like peaches or pears quickly soften and get spoiled if kept next to bananas. Therefore, it is wise to always hang the bunch of bananas away from other fruits or keep them in a separate place.
Strawberry and Blueberry
Berry fruits are extremely sensitive. Strawberries and blueberries should never be kept crowded in the same container. Due to the pressure of strawberries, blueberries get squashed quickly and create an environment for fungus to grow by leaking juice. They stay good for a longer time if kept spread out in separate containers.
Grape and Mango
Mangoes release intense ethylene while ripening. Since grapes are very delicate fruits, keeping them next to mangoes causes grapes to rot and turn sour quickly.
Leafy Greens and Juicy Fruits
Leafy vegetables like spinach or red amaranth should never be kept next to juicy fruits like apples or bananas. Due to the influence of fruits, the greens quickly turn yellow and dry up, losing their nutritional value. It is safest to keep vegetables in separate ziplock bags after washing and draining the water.
In conclusion, the loss of vegetables and fruits means not only the waste of food but also the waste of money. So, rearrange your kitchen baskets today!
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