I think that's only with apples & fruits, not root vegetables- it works because the fruits are totally enclosed in it, too, I think- fruits give off some sort of chemical which accelerates ripening, and sticking them in a brown paper bag both keeps the chemical close to the fruit and keeps light from breaking down the chemical.
Some vegs like the ones I named can benefit from the dark and the moisture absorbing properties of paper. You should not roll the top down even if they give off very little gasses why trap them in. I normally just have brown craft paper on top, but a normal paper bag is fine.
Many fruits and some vegs (like onions) give off a gas that when around in high contractions will make things ripen/rot faster. When you ripen in a paper bag you are trapping those gasses and accelerating the process, its why you roll the top down. The reason that paper is used is any damp can be absorbed by the paper not the fruit, and because the environment is dark.
Longer is right.marveenOctober 23 2006, 03:55:48 UTC
Storing potatoes in a cool cupboard, laid on wooden shelves, I've had them last for up to fourteen weeks--and even then they weren't spoiling, we just ate up the last of that purchase.
That's one of the most useful things I've heard in a long time! I often have potatoes sprouting and other root vegetables going bad. I do keep them out of the kitchen, in a pantry in bins, but I let them go too long, so that would work for me! :)
well first keep potatoes cool and away from onions, apples, bananas these things will help them sprout. the dark and cool will help keep from sprouting.
the sand is not the best for onions (thin cell walls and lots of liquid) keep them were air can get at them and try not to have them touch. A mesh basket can be pretty good. If you have clean old stockings drop an onion in to the bottem and tie a knot then another one about a half inch above that and drop in the next one. this string can be stored in some place like your broom closit, and then you just snip open when you want one.
Make sure you buy ones that arnt soft to start with.
A couple of side notes: it has always amazes me when people throw out fruit and veg that are a bit dessicated. When you put your produce in storage make note where the less perfect pieces are because they go bad first. Any injuries or bruises will spoil quicker. I put mine in a seperate bag so I'll remember to use them first. I hate how it seems like every bag of potatos has at least one that is already rotting.
One question I had was if something does go bad do you kind of scoop out that area of sand and toss it or has anything ever gotten that bad? I had thought I'd try what you're doing but didn't know anyone who had done it so wasn't sure. You described it in really good detail thanks!
as for potatos it sounds weird sniff the bag by the air holes. if it smells rotten dont get it, but even if you smell an "earthy" smell that dosent smell bad put it back.
what you want is a bag that has no or little smell (even a nice one) that there are no shiny or damp spots on the bag if its plastic, feel as many in the bag to see if they are hard, and make sure you dont see a green tinge.
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But really- clueless here.
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Some vegs like the ones I named can benefit from the dark and the moisture absorbing properties of paper. You should not roll the top down even if they give off very little gasses why trap them in. I normally just have brown craft paper on top, but a normal paper bag is fine.
Many fruits and some vegs (like onions) give off a gas that when around in high contractions will make things ripen/rot faster. When you ripen in a paper bag you are trapping those gasses and accelerating the process, its why you roll the top down. The reason that paper is used is any damp can be absorbed by the paper not the fruit, and because the environment is dark.
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Neat info.
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Ash
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Do you think this would work similar for onions?
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the sand is not the best for onions (thin cell walls and lots of liquid) keep them were air can get at them and try not to have them touch. A mesh basket can be pretty good. If you have clean old stockings drop an onion in to the bottem and tie a knot then another one about a half inch above that and drop in the next one. this string can be stored in some place like your broom closit, and then you just snip open when you want one.
Make sure you buy ones that arnt soft to start with.
ash
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One question I had was if something does go bad do you kind of scoop out that area of sand and toss it or has anything ever gotten that bad? I had thought I'd try what you're doing but didn't know anyone who had done it so wasn't sure. You described it in really good detail thanks!
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as for potatos it sounds weird sniff the bag by the air holes. if it smells rotten dont get it, but even if you smell an "earthy" smell that dosent smell bad put it back.
what you want is a bag that has no or little smell (even a nice one) that there are no shiny or damp spots on the bag if its plastic, feel as many in the bag to see if they are hard, and make sure you dont see a green tinge.
ash
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aren't canadians just so darned smart (points at myself)
that's all, nothing constructive.
A
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