Produce in the ‘Fridge

Women’s Health Magazine posted a helpful list showing how long some fruits and vegetables will stay fresh in your refrigerator. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry says produce holds antioxidant power for longer than most people realize. Here is a list of eat-by dates for some popular produce in your refrigerator:

Carrot (peeled) — 51 days
Tomato — 36 days
Garlic — 30 days
Broccoli — 27 days
Strawberry — 22 days
Asparagus — 22 days
Spinach — 19 days
Grapes (black/red and green) — 14 days
Peppers (red and green) — 14 days
Cucumber — 8 days
Lettuce — 8 days

Update: To clarify, the number of days represents the amount of time passed before the researchers saw visual signs that the produce was spoiling. Of course, most would recommend that you eat produce quickly after purchasing it to get the best texture and flavor. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study was not measuring flavor or freshness of the foods; the researchers were instead focused on antioxidant power over time.

Note: I’ve heard from many different sources that you should keep your tomatoes at room temperature because they lose their flavor in the refrigerator.