Nothing spoils a beautiful matcha latte day more than spoiled milk. Seriously, it has happened too many times. A gallon of milk in my refrigerator has spoiled in one week despite the best-by date being 2 weeks away! It was a reluctant waste. So, what’s the deal?
Turns out, the placement of our foods in the fridge matters.
My mistake? Placing milk on the door shelf.
So, how are we supposed to place our foods? Foods should be placed appropriately, depending on their type and the recommended corresponding storage temperature.
The door shelf is the warmest part of your fridge, followed by the top shelves, middle shelves, crisper shelves, and the bottom shelves.
Whether or not you have seen the viral videos of rats munching away at pizzas, it is a reality that rats are scurrying more in subway stations and pedestrian areas. In the past year, as a New Yorker, I have seen more rats running across subway station staircases and roads than my past 10+ years combined!
Matching your food to the correct storage temperature is
more simple than it may seem:
Top Shelf:
The top shelf is where ready to eat
foods go. For example, you may put
leftovers and drinks in this area.
Middle Shelf:
The middle shelf is where the dairy goes
(and where I should have placed my
milk!). Other dairy products include
butter and cream. Daily items like ready to eat cooked meats and eggs also stay fresh for
longer if you keep them in the cold consistent temperature.
Bottom Shelf:
Meats always go in the bottom shelf or the bottom sealed container because the
temperature at the bottom of the refrigerator is always the coolest. Meat placement in the
containers is to avoid contamination.
Door Shelf:
Sauces, spices, and condiments are placed here since the temperature in the door shelf is
slightly higher and they can survive it.
Crisper Shelves: Fruits go in the crisper shelves, where low humidity can be monitored and
keep them fresh for longer. Veggies/greens are also placed here under high humidity.
That’s all for maintaining the longevity of your foods in the fridge! Another tip is to use an
open packet of baking soda on the side of your fridge or inside to have a clean, odorless
fridge.
Stay fresh and look out for more tips in saving your foods for longer with Flash Grüb!