Tips for preserving food in the refrigerator during summer

　　PART1: Pay attention to keeping fruits fresh in the refrigerator during summer

　　Frozen watermelon is the best choice for many people to relieve heat and reduce dryness. In fact, the refrigerator is not an effective "fresh box" for watermelon. The temperature of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator is generally between 1 and 8 degrees Celsius. According to research, watermelons can be stored for 14 to 21 days at about 13 degrees Celsius, but can only be stored for 2 to 3 days at 4 to 10 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, after picking, the melon body still slowly undergoes enzymatic reactions to produce nutrients. Refrigeration interrupts these reactions and reduces the nutritional value. Watermelon at room temperature contains tomato Red pigment and beta-carotene are 40% and 139% higher than those in iced watermelon. However, a large amount of ice crystals produced during long-term refrigeration of melon pulp will irritate the throat and gastrointestinal tract, which is harmful to healthy produce adverse effects.

　　The correct approach is to store watermelons bought on the market in a cool and ventilated place on the ground. If you like a cold taste, you can put it in the refrigerator two hours before eating. The refrigerator temperature should be adjusted to a high temperature. This can cool down the watermelon without causing it to become too cold. It is best not to store cut watermelon in the refrigerator for more than two hours.

　　Subtropical or tropical fruits such as lemons, oranges, papayas, pineapples, bananas, mangos, and lychees are also favorites in summer. These fruits are best stored at a temperature above 10°C. In summer, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment is generally adjusted between 1 and 7°C. Such temperatures are prone to "frostbite" on these tropical fruits and produce brown spots. It is a good choice to place these tropical fruits indoors in a shaded and cool place. The shelf life of these fruits is also short, usually about 5 to 10 days.

　　Grape Fruits such as berries, cherries, and persimmons are easy to spoil and can also cause mosquito bites. The optimal storage temperature of these fruits is around 0°C, and they are suitable for placement in a relatively closed and low-temperature refrigerator. However, it is best not to store it in the refrigerator for more than 5 days. Before placing it in the refrigerator, it should be sealed in a fresh-keeping bag to reduce moisture loss and avoid squeezing.

　　Temperate fruits such as apples and pears are relatively easy to preserve. The optimal storage temperature is also around 0°C, and the storage period can reach 7 to 10 days. The refrigerator is great for keeping apples and pears fresh. However, it should be noted that do not store a large number of apples together or with other fruits, because ripe apples will release ethylene, which will accelerate the ripening and decay of other fruits. The correct way is to store apples with different degrees of maturity in different fresh-keeping bags.

　　PART2: Pay attention to keeping summer vegetables fresh in the refrigerator

　　The requirements for vegetable storage are also temperature and humidity. For "green leafy vegetables" such as spinach and macaroni, higher temperatures can easily lead to dehydration and wilting. The storage temperature of these vegetables is around 0~1°C, and their general shelf life can only be about 5 days. However, they are also prone to dehydration if placed directly in the refrigerator. It should be sealed in a fresh-keeping bag to prevent excessive moisture on the surface of the vegetable leaves from rotting.

　　The optimal storage temperature of cabbage is -1~0℃, and under suitable humidity conditions, the storage period can even be as long as half a month. The cabbage purchased from the market should also avoid getting wet on the surface. If there is too much moisture, it should be placed in a ventilated place to dry slightly, then packaged in fresh-keeping bags and stored in the refrigerator.

　　Tomatoes are not suitable for long-term storage in the refrigerator. Tomatoes have a high moisture content and are prone to "frostbite" in the refrigerator, and their flavor will also change. Tomatoes are generally best eaten fresh, but their rich vitamin C content will gradually be lost if stored for a long time. In summer, the temperature is high. If you want to store uneaten tomatoes in the refrigerator, you should pay attention to sealing them with plastic wrap to reduce water loss. Do not set the refrigerator temperature too high. The storage time is about 3 to 5 days.

　　The storage temperature of bitter melons, cucumbers, etc. is generally required to be around 7~10℃. In autumn and winter when the weather is cool, they only need to be placed in a ventilated and dry place. In summer when the temperature is higher, they can be placed in the refrigerator, but the temperature of the refrigerator should be adjusted appropriately to avoid "frostbite". The storage time is recommended to be about 5~10 days.

　　Onions, ginger, garlic, coriander, etc. are commonly used condiments in the kitchen. Intact garlic and ginger are easier to preserve. Generally, they can be stored at room temperature for about 10 to 20 days as long as they are not cut into sections. They do not need to be placed in the refrigerator. Onions and coriander are not suitable for storage in the refrigerator, and are more likely to lose water and wilt at room temperature. You can first cut the onions and coriander into small pieces according to the size to be used, and put small portions into seasoning boxes, place them in the freezer, and use them as needed. They can be stored for up to 1 to 3 months, but pay attention to packaging in scattered ways to prevent large cans from being taken out frequently and refrozen.

　　PART3: Pay attention to keeping meat fresh in the refrigerator during summer

　　The storage temperature of meat is generally required to be below 0°C. Raw meat that can be eaten within 1 to 2 days can be placed in the refrigerator, while meat that needs to be stored for a long time should be placed in the freezer for quick freezing, but it is recommended to store it for no more than one week. Cooked meats are also placed in the refrigerator, and the shelf life should not exceed 4 days. To separate raw and cooked meat, raw meat should be stored separately and sealed and placed on the bottom floor of the freezer or refrigerator to prevent juice from penetrating and contaminating other foods.

　　Thawing of frozen meat is also very particular. Many people are greedy for speed and put the meat in cold or hot water to thaw quickly. This method will cause the ice crystals to dissolve quickly, destroy the fiber structure between the meat cells, and cause a large amount of nutrients to be lost outside the meat tissue. It will also cause the meat to age and destroy the taste. The correct way is to place the meat from the freezer to the refrigerator twelve hours in advance and let it defrost slowly. This thawing method is not only suitable for red meat such as pork and chicken, but also for white meat such as fish and shrimp.

　　PART4: Pay attention to keeping other ingredients fresh in the refrigerator during summer

　　Generally, the production date, shelf life and storage temperature are written on the packaging of dairy products. Nowadays, many families like to make homemade yogurt because there are no preservatives added and it is not airtight, so it is easy to spoil. Generally, it is guaranteed to be consumed within 1 to 2 days. Once there is an odor, stop eating it immediately.

　　egg It is also a must-have food in the refrigerator. In a general cold room, fresh eggs can be stored for about half a month, but you must avoid shaking the eggs and causing cracks in the egg shells. Clean the eggs when placed in the refrigerator to avoid residual poultry excrement on the surface from contaminating the refrigerator environment.