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.
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This article, Produce in the ‘Fridge is very helpful! Thank you!
Garlic will keep longer than a month if you store it in your basement. I’ve had bulbs around since October or November. A few of the cloves may start sprouting, but all in all, it’s intended to last. You’re right about tomatoes….they are better at room temperature.
Scott Kustes
uhhh, what kind of fridge are you using? many of these time lines are way exaggerated.
i cannot understand what special refrigeration process is being used to keep strawberries fresh for so long. I sthis cryo-freezing or something? These time lines are completely off. I have never seen spinach or asparagus last longer than a week. The asparagus tips get mushy and so do the spinach leaves.
Hello! Produce must be kept in the trucks, groc. stores or where-ever they decide to store before they reach the consumers. I never have had produce last that time span. It would be great
if we could get fresher fruits and veg.