Monday 15 August 2022 03:58 PM Best ways to store food to save money during cost-of-living crisis trends now
From keeping apples in the fridge to eggs in the freezer and cucumbers in the cupboard, experts have revealed a series of unexpected ways to help families save money during the cost-of-living crisis.
With grocery prices rising a record 10 per cent compared with last year and supermarket staples doubling in price, many shoppers are now searching for ways to keep costs down.
And experts at consumer champions Which? say people can save money and reduce waste simply by storing their food correctly – such as putting apples in the fridge, which will see them last up to 77 days longer.
Other tips include putting eggs in the freezer for up to six months, but only after cracking and beating them before storing them in a container. Freezing them in their shells will cause them to explode.
Bread should go in a bread bin rather than the fridge, which will dehydrate the loaf and leave people with stale-tasting slices. It can also be used for breadcrumbs, bread and butter pudding or croutons if it goes stale. In addition, experts said you can freeze bread and then toast it straight from the freezer or put it under the grill.
Mushrooms should also be refrigerated, but they should first be placed in a paper bag to avoid them going slimy - while cucumbers will last longer if they are stored in a cupboard or placed in a bowl on a countertop.
Stoned fruits such as peaches, plums and cherries ripen better outside of the fridge, allowing the flavours to fully develop. Overly ripe fruit with no sign of mould can still be used as a topping for porridge or in a crumble.
Once opened, peanut butter is fine to store in a cupboard as long as it's tightly sealed and will last for many months because its high fat and low moisture provides favourable conditions for avoiding bacterial growth.
Which?'s Reena Sewraz said: 'The cost of living crisis is putting a lot of families under pressure but many people aren't aware that simply storing your food differently can vastly extend its shelf life, saving you money in the process. In the case of apples, they could last up to almost three months longer if you keep them in the fridge, and simple changes like these can be really useful if you bulk buy or aren't planning to eat food straight away.'
Below, read what experts at Which? recommended you can do with your food to avoid it going to waste:
PRODUCTS TO KEEP IN THE FRIDGE
Mayonnaise
While mayonnaise contains vinegar, there is not enough to safely store the egg-rich condiment outside the fridge. Dipping cutlery into the jar or bottle can result in bacteria growing, but this will be limited by refrigerating it.
Pesto
Pesto should always be put in the fridge, because the nuts can see mould develop and produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins, including aflatoxin. This is a dangerous bacteria that can cause serious liver damage.
Tartar sauce
Tartar sauce - which is often served with fish and chips - should be kept in the fridge because it contains egg, as well as having low acidity and high water content, which helps microorganisms to grow.
Salad cream
Salad cream should be refrigerated due its egg content - although it does also contain a preservative called potassium sorbate, along with spirit vinegar, which can help prolong its life.
Maple syrup
Experts advise that anything with a sugar content of more than 60 per cent means the sugar will act as a preservative to avoid microbial degradation. However, maple syrup falls just short of this level, allowing some moulds to grow, so it should be kept in the fridge. If kept in the cupboard, mould will likely form on the lid.
Tomato ketchup
The large amount of vinegar in ketchup means it can be stored either in the fridge or on the shelf, even after being opened. This is the same for brown sauce and barbecue sauce - but if it's not used regularly, put it in the fridge.
Mustard
The type of mustard is important in determining whether to put it in the fridge. While French Dijon mustard can last a year after being opened if put in the fridge, American yellow mustard will be fine if put in a cupboard.
Horseradish sauce
It is best to keep horseradish in the fridge to preserve its flavour and colour, by reducing exposure to heat and light. Horseradish root can be stored in the fridge unwashed in a plastic bag for between one and three months.
Jam
Jams can actually be stored in the cupboard after opening, despite most brands advising on the label to put them in the fridge. But experts add that they will last much
