Celery, like many salad items, has a short shelf life once it reaches your fridge. However, changing the way you store it can prolong its freshness for up to four weeks.
Mike from Kitchen Tips Online posed the question: “What is the best way to store celery?”
He then pointed out that manufacturers package celery in plastic wrapping with small holes, indicating that completely encasing celery in plastic isn’t recommended.
The food storage expert added: “Notice they use plastic wrapping, but the interesting thing you should note is the plastic wrapping is open at the end and has small holes.
“That tells us that the manufacturer doesn’t think it’s a good idea to completely encase celery in plastic.”
Sharing an alternative storage method for celery, Mike said: “I have some celery that’s been in the fridge for about four weeks. Now, as you can see I have this celery wrapped up tightly in aluminium foil.”
He demonstrated the effectiveness of this method by breaking a stalk in half, revealing a satisfying crunch even after four weeks.
Explaining why foil works well, Mike said: “The foil protects celery from ethylene gas. If you have fruit in your fridge, and by the way, you should never co-mingle fruits and vegetables.”
Because fruits, when they ripen, give off ethylene gas, and celery doesn’t like ethylene gas. “Mike, a food expert, has revealed the best spot for celery in the fridge is the “coldest part of your fridge, which is usually the crisper drawer”.
He advised his YouTube followers, “Also, you want to keep it separated from any fruits.”
As for where celery should be placed in the fridge, Mike urged the “coldest part of your fridge, which is usually the crisper drawer” is the best place.
If it’s already too late for the celery sticks in your fridge, there is a quick fix you can try. Simply submerge the stalks in a glass of iced water and let the cold water shock work its magic.
