Why doesn't salad stuff keep ?

[JohnG]

I've stopped buying salad stuff for the time being as it always seems to go off so quickly and I end up throwing it away. I always buy it from supermarkets and always check there's plenty of use by date left but still it doesn't keep. This applies to lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber and while we're at it potatoes. I buy potatoes and within a few days they are sprouting.
Should I be looking elsewhere for my salad and veg ? I don't want to have to eat salad 3 days on the trot when I buy some just so it doesn't go off !

[leej]

I would say look somewhere else. I've never had a problem with lettuce, tomatoes or cucumber not lasting a good length of time, sometimes weeks. I keep it in the fridge.

[JohnG]

I've tried Asda (they seem to go off quickest), Tesco and Morrisons and had problems with them all. I used to buy a full lettuce but found I was throwing a lot away as it rotted from the centre, so then started buying the bags but they seem to go off even quicker.

[nheather]

Agree with the bags of lettuce - don't last long at all - I'd say that if it lasts beyond 2 days are you are doing well.

Full lettuces last longer.

But lettuce is the only salad stuff I have problems with. All other salad stuff lasts long enough.

Cheers,

Nigel

[JohnG]

Do you all buy your tomatoes and other stuff loose or pre-packed ?

[la gran siete]

Romany lettuce keeps better than others- usually 2 weeks in a fridge

[Dony]

Originally Posted by la gran siete

Romany lettuce keeps better than others- usually 2 weeks in a fridge

yeah...but everytime you open the fridge they have moved on to a different shelf leaving behind a mess!!!!....or was that the Romany gypsies....

[Duncan G]

Originally Posted by la gran siete

Romany lettuce keeps better than others- usually 2 weeks in a fridge

Why would you want to keep it for two weeks though?

[JohnG]

I'm getting the feeling that it's only me who's having these problems !

[Dony]

Originally Posted by JohnG

I'm getting the feeling that it's only me who's having these problems !

don't think you are......my wife used to get annoyed at this too.

A couple of changes she made was to buy fruit and veg not from the supermarkets, but in the local farm shop.

The prices are slighly higher, but she feels this ifs off-set because the produce is normally bigger.

Also, instead of the produce being packaged in plastic bags, all fruit and veg is packed in paper bags. She believes this to be the biggest help in keeping the food fresh.

Finally, all veg is kept in either a container in the fridge, or a veg basket.

[JohnG]

I don't mind paying extra if it's going to keep better and be better quality. I'm not sure we have any of those farm shops but there is a market on Friday and Saturday so I might be better going there ?

[RichardK]

I'd suggest trying organic. I always used to avoid buying organic, but one day I wanted some potatoes, had no choice but to buy organic ones. What I found was that they lasted for weeks before even starting to sprout, and once they did start they sprouted more slowly.

I don't know what the reason for the difference is, but now I only buy organic potatoes and my guess is that you'd find similar with other vegetables.

[WibXL]

We've found that Sainsburys fruit and veg tends to last longer than Morrisons for some reason. Might be worth checking that your fridge is cold enough if it happens no matter where you shop.

[JohnG]

I'd not thought of buying organic, so might give that a try. We also have a Sainsbury nearby so might have a look there as well.

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by JohnG

I'd not thought of buying organic, so might give that a try. We also have a Sainsbury nearby so might have a look there as well.

The only problem being what costs 89p in Morrisons, is £1.49 in Sainsbury