You’d be surprised to know how much food goes to waste everyday simply because people don’t store them properly. Different kinds of food need different types of storage. There are certain types of containers that are specifically intended for particular kinds of food. When stored incorrectly, food will have a greater risk of spoilage.
But why throw out last night’s scraps when you can reheat them today? The secret to ensure they don’t go bad overnight is to store them under the right conditions. From plastic bottles to airtight containers, using the right type of storage is important when it comes to preserving food.
One main cause of spoilage is air or oxygen. Air can promote the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, and yeast. It is for this reason that most food can easily go bad when air is present, thus they need to be stored in an airtight container.
Some types of food need to be stored in containers that will readily allow for a quick reheating in the microwave. They require containers that are classified as microwaveable. Similarly, food for storage in the freezer need containers that can do well in very low temperature, even past freezing point.
So which types of food need to be stored in which container? Let’s take a look at the most stored food below, and how best to keep them.
Scraps and Leftovers
Scraps and leftovers should ideally be kept in airtight containers that will prevent the air to get through. When cooked, food becomes very susceptible to spoilage. If you are planning to eat the rest of that delicious chicken curry tomorrow, you need to place it in an airtight container before you refrigerate it. If you don’t, air and moisture will build up which can cause the growth of bacteria that can lead your curry straight to the bin.
Raw Meat
Raw meat needs to be frozen until they are cooked. For this, you need containers that are sturdy enough for very low temperatures. Meat cannot last for very long when it’s raw, thus they need to be frozen and stay preserved in very low temperature. Freezing raw meat immediately will help keep them fresh.
Pairing the Right Foods in Containers
It’s not just about having the right containers but also about storing different kinds of food in the same container rightly. Don’t make the mistake of shoving different types of food in the same container. If you put raw food in the same container as last night’s dinner, it doesn’t just look weird but you will also have a difficult time because one needs to stay frozen unil cooked while the other needs to be ready for reheating.
The importance of proper storage
The most important thing to keep in mind is that every time you aren’t storing food properly, you end up throwing it in the trash because it goes bad or it becomes dangerous to consume. That’s a terrible shame and you should do everything in your power to make sure that you don’t throw food away.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that every time you don’t store food correctly, you end up throwing it in the trash because it goes bad or it becomes dangerous to consume. Wasting food is a terrible mistake. The right practices and using the right containers will help ensure that you don’t throw food away.
