Latest news with #AmyCross
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Bananas will keep fresh for up to 26 days if you follow this genius storage hack
Bananas can ripen in an instant if they are stored in the wrong place. The majority of households store their bananas in a fruit bowl - but this is actually one of the worst places for them to sit. According to experts bananas should always be kept away from other fruits, especially if you want them to last the week. Storing the kitchen staple next to your apples and oranges can make them ripen rapidly. This causes them to turn into a brown sludgy mess leaving people with no other option but to toss them away. This explains why bananas are one of the UK's most wasted foods with 1.4 million being thrown out every day in the UK. A TikToker has now shared a game-changing tip that will keep your bananas fresher and remain yellow for up to 26 days. The revolutionary advice promises to stop your fruit turning into brown mush before you get the chance to enjoy. The technique stands out from the usual recommendations of using cling film, aluminium foil, or damp paper towels. Amy Cross, who operates the TikTok account @amycrosslegacy, is known for her practical advice on purchasing, cleaning, and storing common fruits and vegetables. She recently divulged her unique jar strategy for keeping bananas "fresh longer". In her TikTok demonstration, Amy shows how she keeps chopped banana segments, peel intact, in a sealed glass mason jar in her refrigerator. To prove its effectiveness, she posted a follow-up 26 days later, revealing the banana still as pristine as when it was first stored, with the skin showing no signs of discolouration. In her video update, she confirms: "These are the bananas I purchased on March 13 and I cut this into thirds and put it into a jar, so they're 26 days old." Expressing her amazement at the result, she continues: "So the whole goal of putting the bananas in the jar was to see if I can get a cut banana to last 12 hours and it's been 26 days." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. If you're not a fan of slicing your bananas, it's advised to store them in a cool, shaded area. Bananas should be kept at around 12 degrees, as they'll ripen faster if they're too warm. A dim room without direct sunlight is ideal, so a warm kitchen isn't the best place for your bananas. For those who wish to store peeled bananas, the juice trick is recommended, as once a banana has been cut and exposed to air, it will quickly turn brown. Just sprinkle some lemon juice or pineapple juice on them - this works particularly well in fruit salads. Speaking about why bananas should be kept away from other fruits, Katherine Kyle from Magical Life Fruit, said: "Keep your bananas separate from all other fruits including other ripe bananas. "Fruits let off ethylene gas when they are ripening, so keeping ripe fruit with unripe fruit will cause the unripe fruit to ripen more quickly."
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Woman's 'secret' to keeping lettuce crisp and fresh for up to six weeks
Lettuce has a notoriously short shelf life, but one food storage expert has shared a simple trick to keep the leafy greens fresh and crisp for a matter of weeks Binning soggy lettuce could soon be a distant memory. With the arrival of sunnier days, many are ditching the winter warmers for fresh, crunchy salads. Lettuce is the cornerstone of these salads, but its notoriously short lifespan often leads to waste unless you're munching on it daily. Yet, a food storage guru has shared a nifty trick to extend your lettuce's life from mere days to several weeks. The key? Proper prep before refrigeration. Amy Cross, a savvy saver who imparts her wisdom on The Cross Legacy website, said: "It seems like when you buy a large amount of lettuce from the store, at least one of them is doomed to die (or at least start the process) before you get a chance to use it. READ MORE: Woman lost more than 13 stone after deciding to 'delay not deny' food "Often, those bad leaves tend to spread their love to other heads of lettuce as well, and then it's a race against the clock to eat that lettuce. Always a good time!" To keep your lettuce perky for up to six weeks, Amy advises soaking the leaves in a mix of water and a splash of white vinegar to banish bacteria and grime. She recommends snipping off the lettuce base, rinsing it under the tap, then dunking it in a bowl with water and about 60ml of vinegar. To keep your lettuce fresh and crisp, first soak the leaves in a cleaning solution for about two minutes. Then rinse under running water to shake off any lingering dirt. Since excess moisture can lead to quicker spoilage, ensure the lettuce is completely dry by either spinning it in a salad spinner or laying out on paper towels for a few hours. Investing in a good salad spinner could be beneficial, and if you're looking for options, Amazon has a range, from a basic £8.99 model to the sturdier OXO version priced at £32.49. IKEA also offers a budget-friendly salad spinner at a mere £5. The key to long-lasting lettuce is dry storage in a glass container – more temperature resistant than plastic and better for maintaining freshness. At Amazon, you can snag a set of nine glass containers with airtight lids for approximately £25. Include a paper towel inside to absorb extra moisture, and your lettuce may stay fresh for up to six weeks. Amy shared her experience, saying: "I was averaging six weeks with this container when I was testing it out. "You can choose to put it in a ziplock bag with a piece of paper towel, but it won't last as long. It is worth the extra effort to know we have fresh lettuce anytime we want a salad."
