The Secret To Keeping Celery Crispy In The Fridge
Celery is many things: The "log" of the nostalgic ants on a log snack, a trendy smoothie mix-in, and one very important third of Mirepoix, the essential base for many sauces, soups, and roasts. The fibrous vegetable, grown in long stalks, is a member of the parsley family. Its signature, fairly salty flavor, has made it a key ingredient in many dishes and drinks. Celery juice is a favorite among wellness enthusiasts, and a celery stalk served in a tall Bloody Mary glass is a favorite among brunch enthusiasts. With all of its myriad uses, it's quite likely that you have some celery in your fridge right now. But is that celery being stored to ensure optimum freshness? Well, if your celery is being stored in its store-provided plastic packaging, the answer is no.
This also goes for resealable plastic bags and plastic containers as well. For proper celery storage, you'll want to pull out the aluminum foil instead. This is because plastic bags trap ethylene gas, which can cause celery to spoil more rapidly. Aluminum foil, on the other hand, allows this gas to escape, so your celery stays crisp for longer, and the process of spoiling is slowed down, giving you ample time to use your bunch of celery, whether it be for a cocktail garnish or a healthy cup of celery juice.
Why it works
The saying goes, "One bad apple spoils the bunch." And this is true. One bad apple will cause the other apples surrounding them to spoil at a faster rate than usual. This is because of ethylene gas. Ethylene is a hormone that is essential to the ripening process of fruits and vegetables. However, too much ethylene gas can cause your fruits and veg to spoil. And containers such as plastic bags or plastic wrap trap this gas, causing your produce to go bad. Aluminum foil, on the other hand, doesn't trap as much ethylene gas, keeping your celery crisp and delicious for a longer period of time.
Additionally, aluminum foil prevents oxygen from entering your packaging. Oxidization can also lead to spoilage and can shorten the shelf life of your produce. For celery especially, aluminum foil provides great protection from light and oxygen while also allowing ethylene to escape. And if stored properly, your celery will have a surprisingly long shelf life. If stored in aluminum foil in the fridge, celery can last from two to four weeks, making it a great refrigerator staple, perfect for use in smoothies, juices, a delicious bolognese sauce, or even as a delightful snack. So next time you grab a bunch of celery from the grocery store, you might want to consider wrapping it in tin foil before you pop it in the fridge. The results will be an extended crunch to your celery snacks.