See simple tips on how to preserve food in the heat – 11/14/2023 – Food

One of the challenges of excessive heat is the effect it has on food. While fruits ripen quickly, meat and dairy products spoil more easily. See simple tips on how to preserve your food on hot days.

Clean the refrigerator
Hygiene problems accumulate bacteria inside the appliance, which shortens the shelf life of the food. Therefore, one of the first steps to preserving food is to thoroughly clean the shelves, doors and drawers of the refrigerator, removing expired or spoiled products.

Adjust the temperature
Some refrigerators on the market already offer the option of controlling the internal temperature. On hot days, lowering the appliance’s thermometer by a few degrees helps keep food in good condition, as the outside temperature can affect stored products.

Storage precautions
Inadequate containers are also villains in food conservation. Glass pots, well sterilized and washed, are better than plastic ones. Take a test at home to see the difference. With better sealing and ease of cleaning, those made of glass keep food for longer.

Separate the food
To avoid cross-contamination, when one food spoils another, it is worth storing them separately. In addition to pots, food can be wrapped in film, aluminum or butter paper, depending on the amount of water it contains.

Freeze what you can
The freezer is an option for preserving food for longer. Suitable for vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and broccoli. But before freezing, it’s worth cooking them for a few minutes to make it easier to put them in the pan for preparation.

Close dairy products tightly
It seems basic, but it’s not: prefer packaging that has lids or seals. The air inside products can facilitate the entry of pathogens. If you buy products that do not close, transfer the contents to containers that have some type of isolation from the external environment. And don’t forget products outside the refrigerator under any circumstances.

Keeping an eye on the banana
Bananas, we know, ripen easily. To slow down the process, you can separate the fruits from the bunch without exposing the inside. Another option is to wrap the base of the bunch with plastic wrap. Placing it in the refrigerator or freezer also works, but it depends on the plan for the fruit, such as smoothies (frozen) or eating fresh (refrigerator).

Avoid raw foods
Raw meats, such as stake tartare, seafood or fish, spoil easily in the heat. Therefore, a recommendation is to avoid this type of food. Look for foods that don’t spoil in their natural state, such as legumes.

What if there is a power outage?
In this situation, preserving food really becomes more difficult. If possible, it’s best to try to get a bag of ice to help retain the cold inside the refrigerator. When consuming food, the ideal is to choose perishables first, leaving those that are not perishable until the end.

In any case, it is worth not taking any risks: if there is any doubt about the safety of the food, it is best not to consume it. A tip: dairy products, eggs and meat and seafood are the most susceptible to spoiling, even if the power interruption is brief. They are the ones most at risk.