What is the ideal temperature for storing vegetables?
- Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale) : 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F).
They are very sensitive to heat. Store them in the crisper drawer, preferably with proper humidity control . - Root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes) : 5 to 7°C. These
are somewhat hardier, but be sure to keep them moist. Wrap them in a clean, dry cloth to keep them crisp. - Fruit vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper) : 7 to 9°C.
They prefer moderately cool temperatures. Too low temperatures can spoil them quickly .
The right approach: check and regulate the temperature.
- Place it in different places: above, below, in the door, in the vegetable drawer.
- The ideal temperature is between 3 and 5 °C in the main section and between 6 and 9 °C in the trays.
Another tip: don't overload your refrigerator . Cold air needs to circulate freely, otherwise, hot and cold spots will develop , jeopardizing food's shelf life.
Mistakes that ruin your vegetables without you realizing.
A few simple daily actions are enough to prevent vegetables from being damaged prematurely :
- Hang them against the back wall : that's often the coldest spot. Some vegetables will partially freeze there and become inedible .
- Don't let them air dry unprotected : they'll dry out quickly without protection . Instead, use perforated bags or airtight containers .
- Leaving the refrigerator on "super cold" mode : we think we're doing the right thing, but this damages the vegetables and unnecessarily increases electricity consumption .
A small adjustment, a big difference.
Even a small change in the temperature of your refrigerator can significantly affect the shelf life of your vegetables . Ready to make them crisp and fresh again ?
