Serve chilled: how to properly store food in the refrigerator

The cause of food spoilage is oxidative reactions and the multiplication of microorganisms in organic matter. At low temperatures, the growth of bacteria and the rate of nutrient breakdown slow down, so food stays fresh longer.

To increase the shelf life as much as possible, observe the following rules:

It is not recommended to store pasteurized dairy products in a warm place, as such conditions favor the growth of bacteria. The refrigerator is the best place to store most pasteurized foods. Certain types of pasteurized cheese are an exception. To determine the best storage method, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pasteurized milk in an unopened package, even in the refrigerator, spoils on the second or third day, unlike sterilized milk, which can be used for another three to four days after opening.

Pasteurized cream will keep for about 36 hours in the refrigerator after being placed in the factory packaging. After opening packages or jars of cream, it is not recommended to store the product – you need to use it within a few hours.

Chicken eggs in the refrigerator stay fresh for 90 days, quail and guinea fowl eggs – up to six months. This is due to the different thickness of the shell. Soft-boiled chicken eggs should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days, and hard-boiled – no more than two weeks.

Before placing in the refrigerator, fresh mushrooms should be placed in an open enameled, glass or plastic container, but metal and galvanized containers are absolutely not suitable for forest gifts.

You can also place the mushrooms in an open paper or plastic bag, before that it is better not to wash or cut them. Then the product will stay fresh for three to four days.

Once frozen, the mushrooms will keep for one year. If they have been boiled or fried before freezing, the shelf life is one to three months.

Marinated and pickled sterilized mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to six months. Once opened, the product should be consumed as soon as possible. If a concentrated solution of vinegar was used in the preparation of the seam, it can be stored for a few more days after opening. Mushroom spawns, unrolled in jars, are stored for about 6-12 months.

To avoid cheese spoilage, most of its varieties should not be purchased “in reserve”. The optimum temperature for storing the product is 3-8 degrees with 90% humidity. If you’re going to enjoy a gourmet cheese, it’s recommended that you take it out of the fridge about an hour before serving to allow it to “adjust” to changing temperature conditions. This way you will best reveal the taste of the goodies.

How to store cheese in the refrigerator so that it does not spoil for a long time?

1. Do not store sliced ​​cheese.

2. If you wrapped the cheese in a plastic bag, put a sugar cube next to it – this technique will protect against mold.

3. Brine cheeses are stored in a glass container with whey, and brine is added as it dries.

4. Put the cheese in a drawer for storing vegetables and fruits or on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator – the optimum temperature is maintained there.

5. It is possible to prolong the freshness of the cheese if it is kept in a glass or plastic container or wrapped in cling film.

How long can cheese be stored in the refrigerator?

Yeast dough, due to the fermentation process that takes place continuously in it, is stored for a very short time. The shelf life in the refrigerator does not exceed one day. Before putting the dough in the fridge, put it in a bag, leaving some free space. If the product is frozen, it can be stored for one to two months.

The puff pastry is wrapped in cling film, wrapped in a bag and placed in the refrigerator, where it will keep for a few days to a week (read the instructions). Frozen dough after thawing is stored for no more than a day.

It is best to divide the shortcrust pastry into portioned pieces and wrap each of them in cling film. As such, it can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. This type of dough is simply created for freezing, which only improves the taste of the product.

It is recommended to store honey at a temperature of +5 to +15 degrees. Such conditions can be ensured by placing a jar of honey in a cupboard away from the stove and microwave, or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Make sure there are no strong-smelling foods near the honey. According to GOST, the shelf life of honey is one year, but under the right conditions the product can retain its qualities for several years. Store honey in a glass or ceramic container with a tightly closed lid.

Refrigerated meat does not keep very long, the exact shelf life depends on the type of product:

In the freezer, the meat can be stored much longer. Before freezing it, wrap it in a bag pushing out all the air, then wrap it in cling film:

Despite the versatility of this storage method, it is still not suitable for all products. Do not store in the refrigerator: