Lettuce is one of the most versatile and healthy vegetables which is used in the preparation of multiple salads and recipes. However, its leaves can be damaged quickly if they are not given proper treatment at home. Therefore, in this article we will give you some tips to keep your lettuce fresh for longer.
Like other leafy greens, such as spinach, coriander or arugula, lettuce is often eaten raw. Therefore, by not undergoing a cooking process, it is easier for it to store bacteria, dirt residues and insects that can cause intestinal infections.
Information the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notices this The most common microorganisms that cause diseases transmitted by green leafy vegetables are noroviruses and bacteria. E. coli. For this reason it is essential to always carry out a thorough cleaning and disinfection process to keep the lettuce in good condition.
What happens if we store lettuce for several days in the refrigerator?
The refrigerator is the perfect place to keep lettuce in good condition.. However, some recommendations must be followed to optimize the conservation of this vegetable.
It is important to put it in the crisper or front drawer first, as the leaves may burn or wilt if left or in the freezer.
Furthermore, it should not be mixed with fruit or other vegetables like tomatoes or apples, because together they can spoil faster. The best recommendation is to keep it by itself in a bag in the fridge. Also, placing kitchen paper between its sheets can help it not retain too much moisture.
What if lettuce is stored in a bag?
Bagged lettuce is usually washed and disinfected and keeps very well in its container. for up to a week if unopened. Its type of packaging does not allow for airflow.
However, once the bag has been opened, it is very important to consume it quickly. Furthermore, this type of lettuce requires not cutting its cold chain and keeping it around 4 degrees Celsius.
Tips and methods to keep lettuce fresh longer
we’ll give you some home tips you can apply to keep lettuce fresher longer. These are related to the time of purchase and the care that must be taken at home when the product arrives.
1. Buy the greenest lettuce
It is important that from the supermarket purchase you choose the best lettuce. If you notice that it has wilted edges, you should consume it shortly, as this is an indicator that it is not fresh. If you still decide to buy it, it is better to remove damaged parts before storing.
2. Keep the leaves whole to keep the lettuce fresh longer
Whole leaves keep better than cut pieces.. Therefore, it is preferable to keep them completely and only cut them before serving.
If you plan on cutting them anyway, do it by hand or with ceramic knives, as steel can make the blades rust more easily. In lettuces with large leaves, such as romaine or red, you can trim the stem.
However, it’s best not to try it with small-leaved ones, such as butter lettuce or Tudela lettuce. But don’t throw these logs in the trash, because with a few simple tricks you could regenerate them.
3. Dry the lettuce very well with kitchen paper
Leaving lettuce wet is one of the most common mistakes that cause it to rot or wilt. Therefore, it is very important that after washing it you shake it very well to remove excess water and then dry it with kitchen paper towels.
Make sure there are no hidden droplets. Leaving a sheet of paper covering the leaves can help keep the lettuce fresh longer.
4. Store them in a sealed plastic container to keep the lettuce fresh.
A research of the University of Santa Catarina (Brazil), who was evaluating the best storage techniques for hydroponic lettuce, found this out those packed in closed, refrigerated plastic containers keep bettereven after 20 days of storage.
Similarly, he found that the ideal temperature for storage was 5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, you can use a plastic container with a lid to store it in the refrigerator. Make sure he has some airspace.
5. Wrap them in aluminum foil
Another tip for storing lettuce is to wrap it in aluminum foil. First you need to wash it and dry it very well. You can use a little food grade bleach for this process.
Then, you have to wrap it between aluminum foil without leaving uncovered spaces. You can also put the leaves in portions. Therefore, you will only have to find out which ones you will use every day.
Keeping lettuce fresh depends on the variety
As we pointed out in the article, cleaning and storing are essential to keep lettuce fresher for longer. However, you should also know that its duration largely depends on the variety of the vegetable.
Romaine lettuce lasts about 10 days, butter and red about 5, iceberg or twitching for about 2 weeks. Please keep this in mind when making your purchase.
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