Food Storage Tips

Storing ingredients properly prolong its life, preserve quality and give a healthy meal.

Below are lists of the food storage tips that are very helpful in everyday life.

1. Meat, fish and poultry that are not to be used at once must be cleaned, wrapped in plastic or placed in closed containers then chilled or frozen. If they are chilled, use within 1 to 2 days. If frozen, they can last for 1 to 2 weeks with minimal nutritive content loss.
2. Store meat, fish and poultry already portioned out so you won't have to thaw large amounts.
3. Freshly ground meat must be stored for only 1 to 2 days. If desired, sauté it first then freeze so it can be kept longer.
4. Before storing meats, trim them and cut into desired sizes. For fish, remove the gills, intestines and scale if needed before storing.
5. Shellfish like clams, mussels and crabs must first be cooked then stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
6. Shrimps can be stored fresh in the freezer or when cooked in the refrigerator or freezer.
7. Use eggs within a week to ensure freshness. When storing put them rounded side up and pointed end down.
8. Store excess egg yolks covered with aluminum foil or add a little water to cover the surface and keep them from drying up.
9. Egg whites are best stored frozen then thawed when needed.
10. Store butter and margarine in tightly covered containers in the refrigerator so they won't absorb other smells.
11. Before storing cooked foods or leftovers, make sure they are cool and keep them in closed containers. When reheating stored leftovers, bring them to boil under low heat.
12. Fresh or canned milk must be refrigerated when opened. Opened condensed or evaporated milk should be transferred into plastic or glass containers before refrigeration to avoid lead poisoning.
13. Keep vegetables in the crisper preferably in plastic bags.
14. Store potatoes in a cool dark place together with other root crops.
15. Store unripe fruits at room temperature and ripe fruits in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
16. Wrap leafy vegetables with newspaper before storing in the refrigerator to prolong freshness.