Cooking a hot dinner when the weather is warm is nobody's idea of fun, which is why many people opt for a light and refreshing salad at mealtimes during this time of year.
Lettuce is often a key component of these, but the crispy salad leaf can often wilt and turn brown before you have the chance to use it.
However, experts say that one handy storage item can keep the vegetable fresh and crunchy for up to 16 days, and there are plenty of rave reviews that say how good it actually works.
The Express spoke exclusively to storage experts at Tupperware, who have launched a brand new range of products called FridgeSmart.
Not only do these help you to organise your fridge, but they can also make your fresh produce last longer by controlling the amount of air that gets in. Instead of keeping lettuce in the plastic bag it’s sold in, remove it and “add it straight to the container”.
The experts explained: “Each FridgeSmart container has an easy-read diagram printed directly on the container showing which vent setting to use for different common fruits and vegetables.
“The Tupperware containers divide fruits and vegetables into different categories: high breathers, medium breathers and low breathers - eg how much air the item needs. Lettuce is classed as medium breathers, for this, you slide the vent switch to the half open side (indicated by the half-moon symbol).
“Romaine or Baby Gem lettuces are best stored with the vent set to closed (indicated by the full circle symbol). Set the switch to the setting corresponding to the diagram on the container depending on what you're storing."
As for whether the lettuce needs to be washed and dried before adding into the container, it’s “recommended that you do not wash lettuce or any fruit and veg before storing it in FridgeSmart” as the “excess water can cause unnecessary moisture, which can affect how long your food lasts”.
“The FridgeSmart system regulates moisture levels to keep your food fresher for longer, so just wash when you're ready to eat,” the experts advised.
Lettuce can last around seven to 10 days before it starts to go off, according to the Food Network. But by using a FridgeSmart container, it can last over two weeks.
Tupperware also recommends storing lettuce “alongside other vegetables that are also medium breathers. These include string beans, snap beans, any type of fresh beans, cauliflower, herbs, shallots, cabbage, green onions, fresh greens and leeks. Medium-breather fruits include pears, peppers, oranges, lemons, limes and apples”.
The containers have received plenty of rave reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.6 stars out of five.
One said: “This thing really works. They are expensive, but the best. I suggest you really determine which size(s) you need prior to ordering. They do take up a lot of room in the refrigerator so that’s why you want to be careful which one you buy. But if you want to maintain freshness, this is the ticket.”
“These are AMAZING! I read a lot of really positive reviews before buying these, and let me tell you - they 100 percent live up to the hype,” another wrote. A third added: “These containers really do keep fruit and vegetables longer. I highly recommend!!”
You can shop the Tupperware FridgeSmart range here.
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