To what extent does Broccoli Last? Tending to Your Storage Concerns
Broccoli is a popular vegetable simply because it is known
to contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. This vegetable is also known to
contain antioxidants that can help you avoid some diseases. Broccoli can be
quite expensive especially when it is not in season. This is why many want to
know if they can be stored.
As a general rule, proper storage will allow you to store
vegetables longer. Without the use of refrigeration, or the right containers,
the broccoli will easily rot within a few days’ time. Exposing the broccoli to
heat and to the open air will make the broccoli rot faster especially if
insects are around.
Aside from letting you know how long the broccoli will
typically last in storage, I will also be helping you to know more about how
you can store it longer. This will allow you to have an abundant supply of
broccoli even during the seasons when this vegetable is typically not readily
available.
How Long Does Broccoli Last?
When stored fresh, broccoli will typically last for a few
days without refrigeration. When placed inside the refrigerator, it can last
anywhere between five to seven days. If it is stored in an airtight container,
it might be able to stay fresh for up to two weeks. The lower its storage
temperature, the longer it’ll last.
As a matter of fact, if you freeze broccoli, you might be
able to extend its shelf life. When opting to freeze this vegetable, you should
consider blanching it first. Freeze the newly blanched broccoli within the next
two hours so you can store it for as long as six to eight months.
If you can store the vegetable in low temperatures
continuously, you might be able to store them for up to a year. Ideally, the
broccoli must be stored in shallow, airtight containers. You should also wrap
it tightly with freezer wrap or with aluminum foil. You can also use heavy duty
freezer bags.
Another way to extend the shelf life of the broccoli last is to
make sure that it is properly cleaned and dried before storage. If you can keep
them frozen at 0℉, the broccoli will stay in good quality
indefinitely. Cooking the broccoli can also kill bacteria and it can
also stop the action of enzymes that will make it rot.
How Do I Know If The Broccoli Was Not Stored Properly?
If you plan on using the broccoli last in the next few days, you
will need to store it in the crisper drawer or the veggie compartment of your
refrigerator. If the broccoli has not been stored properly, its smell, taste
and appearance will change. You should however, judge its freshness by sight
and smell first.
If you think that the broccoli is no longer fresh and if it
has already started to rot, some parts of it will be mushy or bruised. The
broccoli last will also start to appear limp and its green color will slowly turn
yellow over time. The broccoli last will also develop a smell that will intensify as
it begins to rot and decay.
Never try to check the broccoli’s freshness and quality by
trying to taste it first. There is certain health risks involved if you happen
to eat spoiled food. Although storing vegetables can help you save money, it
would be best that you discard ones that have a questionable odor and appearance
instead of risking it.
Other Storage Times That You Should Be Aware Of?
If the broccoli has been frozen, and then thawed, you should
never try to freeze it back again for storage. This is why you should only thaw
the ones that you plan on cooking or eating on the same day. If you thaw the
broccoli last in the fridge, it can be stored for as long as three to four days.
If you thaw the broccoli in water or inside a microwave, you
should eat it immediately as it will develop a rotten odor in the next couple
of hours. As soon as you cook the broccoli, you need to understand that you
will be keeping it in room temperature for hours unless you are taking measures
to keep it hot.
Since bacteria will thrive in room temperature or in
temperatures of 40 °F and 140 °F, you should try to discard the broccoli after
a few hours especially if kids have been eating it with their hands. Do not try
to freeze the broccoli if it has already been cooked and served for
consumption.
Broccoli is an amazing vegetable that a lot of kids and
adults love. Since they are quite expensive, you might want to buy them in bulk
while they are cheap, store them for months, and eat them when they are not
readily available. If you want to store them successfully, you will need to do
it the right way.
Store broccol lasti in the crisper drawer if you want to store
them for a while and consume then in the next few days. Fresh broccoli can stay
in good condition for five to seven days if refrigerated. If you plan on
storing the broccoli for months, you should blanch it and freeze it at 0℉.
This will allow you to store the broccoli indefinitely
especially if the broccoli was properly cleaned, stored in airtight containers
and wrapped in freeze wrap prior to freezing. To help you determine if the
broccoli is still good enough to eat, you need to check its appearance and odor
first.
Never try to taste the broccoli if you are unsure of its freshness
and quality. This can help you avoid health risks. Rotten broccoli can contain
harmful microbes; they will typically have a mushy texture, a yellow color as
well as strong odor.
Source: lovebackyard.com
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