How to extend the shelf life of your groceries, according to a chef

As we try to lessen the need to go out amid quarantine, it's important to know how to keep your food fresh for as long as possible.

Chef Victor Barangan shared tips on how to store your groceries in an episode of GMA Public Affairs' "New Normal."

1. Fruits

According to the chef, you should separate ripe and unripe fruits. Keep the unripe ones in room temperature to allow them to mature.

"'Pag hinog naman na pwede na natin siya ilagay sa ating chiller para ma-maintain ang sweetness niya, di na siya tumuloy," Barangan said.

The same thing also applies to tomatoes, and apparently, you should also inspect each banana and not store it as a bunch.

"Once na merong hinog na hinog [na saging] diyan, tapos naisama sa ibang batch, ang tendency hihinugin niya lahat," he explained.

2. Green, leafy veggies

When it comes to storing green, leafy vegetables, Barangan said you should wrap them in foil to avoid exposing them to the air.

"'Pag exposed naman siya sa chiller, mapapansin niyo na biglang malalanta na lang. Sa storage, pwede natin siyang ibalot sa foil para hindi siya natatamaan ng hangin. Kasi minsan 'yun 'yung cause bakit siya nalalanta," he said.

If you don't have foil, you can repurpose containers of coffee packs, creamers, and the like, which have a foil lining inside.

3. Bread and pastries

These should be simply stored in a chiller, the chef said.

"Mapo-prolong ang shelf niyan, siguro mga five to six days, pwede pa yan," he said.

4. Meat

Apparently, you should be storing your meat in tupperwares, and not simply keep them in the plastic you bought them in.

"Manipis 'yan eh, so pag na-freeze yan sa freezer...ang tendency, baka mabutas lang. O kaya baka 'pag tinamaan ng ibang frozen items baka masira lang din. So we need a sturdy plastic," Barangan said.

He added that meat should only be stored for a week, so you should cook them within that time period.

—JCB, GMA News