How to Preserve Fruit in Ziploc Bags

Proper storage preserves both flavor and texture of fresh produce.

Fresh produce bags are designed with small perforations to allow the exchange of gases when fresh produce is stored. This preserves both freshness and quality. According to Alvin D Rutledge, a professor from the University of Tennessee's Plant Sciences Department, fresh produce continues to respire during storage. It takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. Reducing the amount of available oxygen slows the process, but if too little oxygen is available, undesirable compounds are produced that lower the quality of the fruits or vegetables. Perforated storage bags slow the respiration rate without stopping it completely, keeping fruits and vegetables fresh longer.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh produce
• Ziploc fresh produce bags

Instructions

1. Look for Ziploc bags for fresh produce in the household aisle of the grocery store. Read the label carefully to find bags for storing fresh produce.

2. Place fresh, uncut and unwashed produce in the bag. Washing or cutting vegetables introduces excess moisture into the bag and promotes spoilage, shortening the life of the vegetables and compromising both flavor and texture.

3. Zip the bag closed. Check the seal by gently tugging to verify the bag is sealed properly. Store the filled bags in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper compartment, for a week or more, depending on the vegetable. Check for freshness regularly.

References

• University of Tennessee Extension: Vegetable Storage for the Homeowner
• Ziploc: Keep vegetables and fruits from becoming too dry or too moist