How to best preserve food: our tips on International Education Day.

Every year, on January 24th, we celebrate the International Day of Education, an occasion to reflect on the importance of knowledge and education in every area of life, including food. Properly storing food is not just a matter of freshness and flavor, but also a responsible action to reduce waste and respect the planet.

In this article, we want to provide you with some practical tips to best preserve your food, extend its shelf life, and maintain its quality.

1. Why is it important to store food properly?

One of the most common mistakes in the kitchen is poor management of food storage, which can lead to:
✅ Food waste (it is estimated that every year in Italy, more than 67 kg of food per capita is thrown away).
✅ Loss of flavor and nutritional quality of ingredients.
✅ Risks to food safety, with the proliferation of mold and bacteria.

With small adjustments and better organization, we can reduce waste and improve the quality of our diet.

2. Cheeses and cured meats: how to keep them fresh for longer

Cheeses and cured meats are among the products that require more attention in storage. Here are some fundamental rules:

Cheeses

🧀 Fresh cheeses (such as ricotta, mozzarella, and stracchino) should be stored in the refrigerator between 0 and 4°C, in their original packaging or in airtight containers with the whey.

🧀 Aged cheeses (such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, and Grana Padano) should be wrapped in parchment paper or a cotton cloth, and then placed in an airtight container. Never wrap them in plastic wrap, as it prevents proper breathing and can alter the flavor.

🧀 Want more tips for storing cheeses? Here are 10 tips!

Cured meats

🥓 Whole cured meats (such as prosciutto crudo, speck, and salami) should be stored wrapped in a cotton cloth or food paper, in a cool place or in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.

🥓 Sliced cured meats should be sealed with plastic wrap and consumed within a few days to avoid oxidation and loss of aroma.

🥓 Other 10 tips for storing cured meats.

3. Pasta, rice, and flour: the importance of a dry environment

🌾 Pasta and rice should be stored in glass jars or airtight containers to avoid moisture and insect infestations like pantry moths.

🌾 Flours and cereals should be kept in a dry place away from direct light. It is better to transfer them to glass jars rather than leaving them in their original paper bags.

🌾 Got leftover bread? No problem: here are Meri Rose's tips for storing bread.

🌾 A useful trick to prevent insects in flours is to add a few bay leaves to the container.

4. Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar: protect them from light and oxygen

🫒 Extra virgin olive oil is sensitive to light, air, and heat. To store it properly:

Use dark glass bottles to protect it from oxidation.
Store it in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources.
Avoid transferring it too often, as contact with oxygen accelerates deterioration.

🍷 Balsamic vinegar can be stored at room temperature, but it is important to keep it tightly closed to prevent loss of its characteristic aroma.

5. Chocolate, sweets, wine: temperature matters too!

🍫 Chocolate should not be stored in the refrigerator! The ideal temperature is between 14°C and 18°C, in a dry environment away from direct light. If stored improperly, it can develop the typical white bloom due to fat separation.

🍪 Cookies and baked goods should be kept in airtight containers to preserve their crunchiness. And how about honey, how is it stored?

🍷 Do you have bottles of wine to store? Here’s the guide.

6. Fruits and vegetables: each food has its place

🍊 At room temperature:

Tomatoes, bananas, citrus fruits, and avocados: should be kept out of the fridge to preserve their flavor and texture.
Potatoes and onions: keep in a cool, dark place to avoid sprouting.

🥦 In the refrigerator:

Leafy green vegetables (lettuce, spinach, arugula): wrap them in a damp cloth or put them in a perforated container to avoid moisture buildup.
Carrots and celery: immerse them in water inside a jar to keep them crispy for longer.

7. Anti-waste strategies: small gestures for big results

♻ Use the FIFO rule (First In, First Out): place food with the nearest expiration date at the front so they are consumed first.

♻ Freeze leftovers: if you know you won’t consume food in time, freeze it immediately.

♻ Reuse scraps: vegetable peels can make great vegetable broths, while stale bread is perfect for crostini or breadcrumbs.

Food education for a sustainable future

On this International Day of Education, learning to store food properly is a small gesture that can make a big difference. Reducing waste, reusing (here's how to reuse panettone after the Christmas holidays) respecting ingredients and consuming more mindfully are fundamental steps towards a more sustainable future.