If you want to know how to store fresh spinach in the fridge, all you need is a good container and some paper towels to do the trick! The proper storage allows you to have days and days of the spinach-filled belly from all the nutritious goodness of the vegetable. However, it would help if you first had an idea of how to keep them fresh even after a long time.
Spinach is a nutrient-filled vegetable that strengthens your immune system and keeps your body healthy and energized. It is also a popular component in many dishes with its unique taste. It is green in color and crispy when fresh. However, these characteristics disappear gradually over time with the nutrients. That is why it is important to keep your veggie safe to benefit from its nutrients fully.
In storing your favorite, there are many things to keep in mind. Spinach lasts for 7 to 8 days in general.
Each of these methods plays a role in keeping a certain characteristic as fresh as possible. There are techniques to keep the crispiness, color, and freshness of spinach. To find out more, read on!
Ways To Store Fresh Spinach In Fridge
Here are the ways on how you can store fresh spinach in your fridge:
#1. Paper towels
Moisture is the major factor that contributes to your veggie’s decreasing shelf life. The excess water that inhabits itself inside the food will ruin the crispiness and color and, soon, the overall quality. Therefore, before storing, it is important to remove any moisture that resides in the spinach.
After washing your spinach, pat them dry with paper towels. Please make sure they are as waterless as possible. Next, take some new towels and place them at the bottom of your container. These towels will absorb all the moisture because of their texture and prevent more from building up while being stored in the fridge.
#2. Plastic sealed container
Exposure to oxygen can cause a series of chemical reactions that will speed up the spoiling process of your spinach. Vacuum-sealed containers are durable and secure, though more expensive. You can opt for slightly cheaper ones, but make sure they are sealed firmly before storage. You can also double seal your package with any available household equipment.
#3. Proper storage area
With the necessary steps in packaging are followed, the best place to place your crispy spinach is inside the crisper to help retain its juicy, crunchy texture. The crisper is equipped with the necessary features that keep your veggies and snacks tasting fresh! Of course, if a crisper is not available or full, you can place it in other parts of the fridge. However, for better results, we thoroughly recommend the crisper.
#4. Temperature setting
Temperature plays a huge role in the effectiveness of your fridge. Knowing the right temperature that will not over freeze nor underwhelm your refrigerator contents is essential in keeping them unsullied. In the case of spinach leaves, set the temperature at 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is the perfect temperature setting that will not freeze the veggie and ruin its nutrients nor speed up the spoiling process. When it comes to storing fresh spinach in the fridge, the thermostat level can either make or break your storage technique.
Any thermostat setting below 32 degrees Fahrenheit will lead to ice buildup in your spinach. Eventually, moisture will settle in your food again despite the paper towels below it. And as mentioned, excess water can form molds that contaminate your spinach and ruin it.
#5. Time of consumption
Storage methods can vary depending on the time frame. First, decide when you want to consume your spinach. If you plan to eat it within a span of a week or two, maintain the mentioned methods. For longer periods of time, such as a month, freeze it. Freezing the food will numb all of its active components and thus slow down the aging process.
However, this will be a much more complicated process since freezing can preserve the food but not the flavor. You must first blanch it in preparation for freezing. This allows the spinach to preserve its flavor even after months of freezing.
Place the spinach in hot water until it’s soft. Once it does, let it cool by any means you deem necessary. For example, you can let it air dry or place it in cold water. After the cooling down process, please place it in paper towels and pat it dry. Make sure you remove the water before placing it in a storage bag and inside the freezer.
#6. Remove contaminants
When buying products in the first place, always choose the best quality. Next, identify marks and blemishes that seem unnatural to your sight. Small issues in the texture and appearance of your food can be big deals in the future. These flaws are usually the start of infections that will slowly ruin the quality of the food.
Spinach leaves are no different. When buying, check for fresh leaves with no dark spots. In storing your fridge, make sure to remove all the bad leaves because they contain infections or microbes that will affect the rest of your spinach, and eventually, you’ll no longer have any edible ones left.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve opened Pandora’s box on how to store fresh spinach in fridge, you are ready to go! All you need is to keep moisture from forming in your leafy greens, and you can enjoy it for as long as you like. Stay healthy!