Carrots can be kept fresh for up to 10 times longer when stored with a simple paper towel, according to the storage experts at Love Food Hate Waste. The tip involves placing the root vegetables in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
Why carrots spoil quickly
Carrots often shrivel up and become tasteless if stored incorrectly. It is common to keep them in a fridge's crisper drawer alongside other vegetables, but picked foods tend to release water after being harvested. This built-up moisture can cause carrots to shrivel, and in extreme cases, they can quickly start to rot or develop fuzzy white mould.
In most cases, excess moisture simply shortens the lifespan of carrots and gives them an unpleasant sour taste that can spoil autumn comfort foods. The key to keeping carrots fresh is to keep them as dry as possible, and a paper towel will soak up any excess moisture near them.
How the paper towel trick works
Carrots are usually stored near other vegetables or kept in their original plastic packaging, but both can trap stagnant water. Vegetables naturally release water, especially in a cold, humid area like a fridge, which is why supermarkets store them in plastic. However, plastic is airtight, and over time, water collects inside the packaging and causes vegetables like carrots to spoil before their expiry date.
Taking carrots out of plastic or storing them in their own container away from other food will protect them from humidity, while a paper towel helps get rid of any moisture they release.
Steps for proper carrot storage
Line a container with a couple of sheets of paper towel and place the carrots inside. Cover the carrots with more paper towels and put the lid on. The lid can be left on to protect the carrots from humidity, or left loose to help moisture evaporate.
If the carrots have any leaf tops, cut them off, as they continue to draw water and nutrients from the carrot even after harvesting. Check the carrots every few days, and change the paper towels if they seem damp. With this method, carrots should stay fresh and crunchy for at least three to four weeks.
