With food prices soaring at their highest rate in nearly four decades, now’s the perfect time to discover clever strategies for extending the freshness of your groceries, MoneyMagpie’s Vicky is here to share some of the tried and tested methods to keep food fresh for longer.
Food waste poses a significant challenge for Britons, with the average UK household discarding around £800 worth of food annually. That’s nearly £70 per month!
Right now, stretching your food budget and reducing food waste is key to saving money on groceries. You’ll be amazed at these money-saving tips!
Revive Stale Bread
To prevent food waste, freeze any bread you won’t use quickly before it becomes stale or molds. If you forget to do so, try running an ice cube over the bread before briefly heating it in the oven.
Alternatively, drizzle water over the loaf to restore moisture, making it edible again. Stale bread can also be repurposed into homemade breadcrumbs, which can then be frozen for later use.
Give vegetables a vinegar bath
Try giving your vegetables a vinegar bath as soon as you bring them home from the store. Not only does this method naturally disinfect them, but it also keeps them clean and removes any harmful bacteria that could hasten spoilage.
Simply soak your vegetables in a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water. You shouldn’t taste the vinegar o n your produce afterward. Allow your carrots, broccoli, parsnips, and peppers to soak for about 15 minutes.
Afterward, thoroughly rinse and dry them before storing them in the fridge. By eliminating bacteria, you can extend the freshness of your vegetables for up to two weeks, helping to reduce food waste caused by spoiled produce.
Freeze your herbs
Fresh herbs are a delightful addition to any dish, but they often go to waste and end up in the compost bin. Before they begin to spoil, try freezing them to preserve their flavor and freshness.
Simply place your herbs in freezer bags or chop them finely and distribute them into ice cube trays. You can fill the trays with water or olive oil, adding a burst of herby goodness to your dishes whenever needed.
Using ice cube trays ensures you have the perfect portion size every time.
This freezing method works well for green herbs like parsley, coriander, and chives, as well as flavorful add-ins like garlic and ginger.
Surprisingly, nuts can also be frozen. While nuts and seeds have a longer shelf life than fresh herbs, they typically last only three to six months. If you need to extend the shelf life of your nuts, store them in the fridge. However, if you suspect you won’t use them in time, freezing them is a great option to prevent waste.
Wrap that Hard Cheese
When storing hard cheese, opt for parchment or baking paper instead of plastic packaging. Plastic can trap moisture, leading to mold growth. In contrast, parchment paper allows the cheese to breathe, preven ting it from drying out while keeping it fresh.
Did you know, paper towels can be a huge help when it comes to storing your berries? Whether you are a fan of strawberries, blueberries or raspberries, don’t let the juicy, sweet goodness go to waste. Berries should be stores in airtight containers with a dry piece of kitchen roll.
The paper absorbs any excess moisture, reducing the likelihood of mold developing on the fruit. Change the paper towel every other day for maximum freshness. This could add up to three weeks to the life of your berries!
Do you have any top tips on how to prevent food waste? We want to know. Leave your comments below!
