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Food Rescue Tips: How Long Does Our Food Keep?

The best before date (MHD) is often understood as an expiry or use-by date. However, this is a big mistake. The Hamburg consumer advice center gives useful tips on how to save food and how long it can generally be eaten.

Risk of confusion between the best-before date and the use-by date

However, food that is actually bad no longer belongs on the plate. Food infections or mold toxins are not to be trifled with. More than 200,000 people fall ill every year, mainly due to poor kitchen hygiene, insufficient heating or insufficient cooling, according to the Hamburg consumer advice center. When stored and at the right temperature, foodstuffs can often still be eaten without significant losses in taste and quality or any health risk. As a rule, the food is still edible after the specified best-before date.

The consumer advice center points out that there are two different information on the expiry date. Specifically, the best-before date (MHD) indicates the point in time up to which the manufacturer can guarantee that the food will retain its properties such as smell, taste and nutritional value. However, this always refers to unopened – i.e. completely airtight packed – and correctly stored goods.

The use-by date, in turn, indicates by what point in time a perishable food such as minced meat must be consumed in any case. Food such as raw meat can pose an immediate health risk after just a short time and is therefore marked with the use-by date.

Shelf life of food: This is how long grain and dairy products, drinks, fruit and vegetables can be kept

When it comes to the shelf life of bread, a distinction must be made between fresh bread from the baker and home-baked and packaged bread from the supermarket. The latter lasts much longer – even beyond the best-before date.

Packaged Bread:
Thanks to the enzymes used in production, they can be kept for up to eight weeks and generally still edible after the best-before date has expired
Tip: store in airtight packaging at room temperature and not in the refrigerator. The cold temperatures spoil the bread faster

Fresh bread:
Wheat bread*: can be kept for up to three days
Mixed wheat breads*: keep for three to five days
Mixed breads: keep for four to six days
Mixed rye breads*: keep for five to seven days
Rye breads: keep for six to ten days
Rye meal/wholemeal breads*: keep for eight to twelve days
Tip: it is best to store the bread in clay or stone containers and wipe them out regularly with vinegar. Place sliced ​​bread cut side down and do not refrigerate

The useful life of grain products

Grain products are generally still edible after the best-before date has passed. However, if the best-before date is a little longer, the products should be checked for appearance, mould, smell and, of course, taste before consumption.

Noodles:
Hard and dry noodles can be kept for a very long time after the best-before date has passed
Fresh pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for between three and four weeks
Egg noodles should no longer be eaten after the best-before date
Tip: Make sure it is stored dry
Rice:
Can be kept for up to two years. The following applies: Because of the lower fat content, white, polished rice has a longer shelf life than brown rice
Tip: store dry and airtight
Flour:
Wholemeal flour and meal: shelf life between three and four weeks
Very fine flour: shelf life between two and three months
Very coarse flour: can be stored for up to more than a year
Tip: always store dry, cool, dark and above all tightly closed
Muesli and cornflakes:
Can be kept for months after the best before date has passed
in the event of mold growth, the entire muesli must be disposed of
Tip: always store dry and tightly closed

The lifespan of beverages

Some drinks, such as wine, can be kept for a very long time after the BBD has expired. In general, these are all drinks, but they should be checked for appearance, smell and appearance before consumption.

Mineral water:
Unopened, the bottles can be kept almost indefinitely
Tip: store in a cool, dark place. Plastic bottles in particular should be protected from direct sunlight
Cola:
Can be kept long after the best-before date has passed
However, cola can eventually lose carbon dioxide in PET bottles
Tip: always store in the dark

Juices:
In glass bottles: up to one year after the expiry date
In boxes: up to eight months after the expiry date
In plastic bottles: can be kept for up to three months after the best-before date
Once opened, it only lasts a few days
Tip: always store in a dark and cool place
Beer:
Generally good for months after the expiry date
Pasteurized, heavily hopped beers with a high alcohol content have a longer shelf life
Tip: store in a dark and cool place, avoid strong temperature fluctuations
Wine:
Shelf life varies greatly depending on alcohol and acid levels or cork
Can be kept between one year for normal quality wines and ten years for Beerenauslese wines
Red wine generally has a longer shelf life than white wine. If the bottles are stored horizontally so that no oxygen can get to the cork, red wine will last for many years (and is said to keep getting better)
Tip: store in a cool place and protect from direct sunlight

Milk and milk products – that’s the shelf life

As long as the milk or milk products are unopened, they can still be kept past the best-before date. But once they’re open, caution is advised.

Milk:
Unopened milk packs: best for approximately three days after the best-before date
Raw milk: two to three days after the best before date
Pasteurized milk: Shelf life approximately six days after the expiry date if refrigerated and unopened. Can be kept two to three days after the expiry date if opened
UHT milk: closed, keeps for around eight weeks after the best-before date, opened for around two to three days
Tip: store in a dark and cool place

Butter:
Stored cool: stable up to three weeks after the expiry date
Tip: It is best to store the butter in a butter compartment in the refrigerator in a porcelain or plastic butter dish
Cheese:
Whole pieces of cheese: can be kept for several weeks after the best-before date
Fresh cheese that has been opened or individual slices: can be kept for up to one week after the best-before date
Shrink-wrapped cheese slices: can be kept for up to three weeks after the best-before date
Cheese with a low water content has a longer shelf life
Tip: store in a dark and cool place and separate from other foods. The packaging should not be airtight
Yoghurt and quark:
Unopened: 10 to 14 days past the best before date
Once opened: 3 to 4 days after expiry of the best before date
Tip: store in a dark and cool place
Cream:
Unopened: Can be kept for about four weeks after the expiry date
Once opened: 3 to 4 days after expiry of the best before date
Tip: store in a dark and cool place

Perishable foods: fruits and vegetables

There is no best-before date for fruit and vegetables as they are among the perishable foods.

Fruit and vegetables generally do not have a particularly long shelf life, as their high water content makes them very susceptible to mould
if mold is severe, you should always discard the entire quantity of affected food – even the pieces where the mold is not obvious are likely to be affected
Tip: keep local varieties in the fridge and tropical fruits at room temperature. Apples and tomatoes should always be stored separately from other fruits and vegetables as they release ethylene. As the Hamburg consumer center explains, the plant hormone would accelerate the ripening process of the other fruits and they spoil faster as a result.

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Lifestyle

Drive Away Martens and Effectively Keep Them Away from the Car

Tricks to get rid of pests in the car and keep them away. Because animals such as mice, martens, and cats can damage your car. But with simple home remedies, you can effectively drive away martens for perfect marten protection in the car.

It is not uncommon that you want to start your car in the morning and the engine goes on strike, even though the vehicle may still be brand new. A very common reason for this is pests such as martens and mice, which can climb into the engine compartment without any problems and gnaw on cables and wires there, among other things, which then leads to vehicle failures.

Pest and marten protection for your car

Martens are small and intelligent predators. These little animals, which are often nocturnal, also often seek shelter in cars or in attics. They can cause damage and cause a lot of excitement. They can damage cables, especially in the engine compartment of your car. And mice and cats can also destroy cables and paintwork. There are simple home remedies to protect your car against these pests. And these work very well without costing a lot of money.

Methods to drive away martens

What housewife tips are there that you can use to protect your car. And what are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Before you start protecting your engine with home remedies, you have to clean it thoroughly. Because the scent trail of the marten or the mouse has to be neutralized first. If you don’t do this, the marten will be difficult to drive away, even with the methods mentioned below. Accordingly, a full wash and engine wash are recommended to completely remove all fragrances. Also, note our tips for car washing and car washing.

1) Wire fence as marten protection

A very good and simple method to drive away the marten is the close-meshed wire fence. So put it under the engine compartment and in the wheel arches. This is how you prevent the pests from getting into the engine compartment. Here, however, there can be problems with the TÜV, or the wheel tears open on the wire and breaks after a while.

2) Repel martens with tea tree oil

Another simple solution that provides long-term protection without much work is scents that deter animals. These can be a wide variety of remedies, we have had a particularly good experience with strong-smelling tea tree oil, but cloves or lemongrass are also said to have a deterrent effect. To do this, you must place the substance in a bag or cloth in the engine compartment. You should swap them out from time to time. The advantage here is that this method does not harm the animal, but it drives away the marten by almost 80 percent. However, not all scents work equally well and the pests could quickly get used to the scent. Also read about clever home remedies for rats.

3) Keep vermin away from the car with vinegar

You can also use the home remedy vinegar to drive away from the marten. On the one hand, the original marten smell can be neutralized with it. And on the other hand, the animals are very sensitive to smells and it is said that they do not like to smell the vinegar. In addition, you can effectively fight ants with vinegar.

4) Dog hair against martens

Some people say dog ​​hair doesn’t help against martens, while others swear by it. We think it’s worth a try. At least if you have a dog at home whose hair you can use. Maybe this is the perfect marten protection for your car. Also, read our article on how to drive safely with a dog in the car.

5) Repel martens with ultrasound

Ultrasound is said to be one of the most effective ways to drive away martens. The ultra-high waves should be uncomfortable for the little animal and thus ward them off.

Why poison does not help against martens

Many people do not know what to do and resort to poisoned baits. But in the rarest of cases, this helps successfully against the marten. For someone else will take the place. Additionally, this type of eviction is not pet friendly and the animal is a protected species. Plus, you could endanger your own pets or other pets. Therefore, poison is not recommended. Also, note our tips for catching and driving away mice.

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Lifestyle

Keep and Store Valuables Safely

Tips on keeping and storing valuables. How do you save your assets and where is the safest place to keep valuables such as watches, jewelry, and money? Since the economic crisis, consumers have been more cautious when it comes to their valuables.

Store valuables properly

According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, every adult in Germany has an average net worth of 108,500 euros. Of course, the distribution in the Federal Republic is very different. About every fifth adult has no assets, seven percent have more debt than property. Those who have saved some want their wealth to be safe. And special valuables also need a safe place.

Keep valuables at home?

Especially in times of crisis, many people distrust banks. Instead, they prefer to hide their money in their own homes. Valuables such as watches or jewelery are even more likely to be stored at home. In addition to the material value, these often also have an ideal value, for example, because they are heirlooms or gifts. That’s why most people always want to have such things close by. Many do without the safe deposit box. If you too would like to have your dearest and most valuable sanctuaries at home, you should consider a few important things:

Avoid known hiding places

It is often made too easy for burglars. Because money or valuables are hidden in supposedly safe places. But many such hiding places are also known to the thieves. You should therefore avoid the following unsafe hiding places:

  • Under or in the mattress
  • In the coffee can or comparable containers
  • In the closet
  • Between the dirty laundry
  • In the freezer or refrigerator
  • In flower vases

Store valuables safely in the safe at home

The safest way to store your valuables and money is in a safe. Because burglars have to crack it first before they can get to the treasures inside. But here, too, you should follow a few rules. So it would be best if the safe is permanently installed on the floor or wall. Or use furniture safe. This should weigh at least 200 kg. Otherwise, the thieves could simply steal the safe. In addition, it is advisable to opt for a safe with a number code, as this is less easy to crack than a key lock. Also, note valuable tips against pickpockets.

What does the insurance pay?

Your household contents insurance protects you against burglary. They usually pay even if valuables are lying around openly – but not the entire value. With a safe, of course, things are different. It also depends on the security level. A standard model has security level B. This means that amounts of money up to €80,000 are insured, for example. You will rarely have more at home. If you plan to store large amounts of money and valuables at home, you should definitely contact your insurance company to find out exactly how you are protected.

Provide secure burglary protection

The number of burglaries has increased in recent years. According to the national police crime statistics (PCS), burglaries in 2015 increased by 9.9 percent compared to the previous year. A new high was reached with around 167,000 cases. For comparison: in 2005 there were only around 110,000 burglaries. Not only has the number of burglaries increased, but also the average damage to property. Expensive products and valuables can be found in more and more apartments. If you keep these at home, you have to ensure secure burglary protection so that burglars cannot easily take valuables with them. Without burglary protection, valuables are better kept outside of the four walls.

Store precious metals and valuables in a locker

Since the economic crisis, consumers have considered how to keep their savings safe. Money no longer seemed profitable for many, so they invested their retirement provision in various products: stocks, securities, and also precious metals, and jewelry. You can hold the latter in your hands and have full control. But stored at home, the gold is not safe from burglars. There are lockers for that. Here you can store various precious metals and personal valuables such as jewelry, inherited items, important documents, or contracts. The annual fee to be paid is based on the dimensions of the locker. With security level SG6 and basic insurance of several tens of thousands of euros, all precious metals and valuables are safe in a safe deposit box.

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health

Live Longer With These Foods: 10 Treats That Will Keep You Fit Forever

A balanced diet is good for your health and can even reduce your risk of death. We tell you which 10 treats you should eat every day to extend your life by a few years.

10 foods for a long life: Eat a balanced diet

There are a number of particularly valuable foods that you should eat every day because they have a positive effect on your health. This includes, for example, a certain type of chocolate.

1. Green vegetables: detoxification of the body

Green vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. But it also contains sulphur, which has detoxifying properties – harmful substances are thus filtered out of the body.

2. Nuts: Healthy snack

The perfect snack for in between: Nuts contain many important nutrients and healthy fats and thus keep you fit.

3. Flaxseed: Good fiber and antihypertensive

Flax seeds are one of the superfoods. They contain important fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Whole grains: Against cardiovascular problems

Whole grain foods are the healthier alternative to white flour, which regular consumption even increases the risk of heart disease.

5. Green tea: Makes you awake and fit, helps against cancer

Whether for breakfast or in between: green tea wakes you up and keeps you fit.

6. High Quality Oils: Unsaturated Fatty Acids

High-quality oils with unsaturated fatty acids also deserve a place in your kitchen. According to EatSmarter, for example, olive oil can reduce the risk of a heart attack and possibly even protect against cancer. But rapeseed oil also offers you advantages: the formation of anti-inflammatory substances is promoted. Linseed oil, on the other hand, is a good supplier of omega-3 fatty acids.

7. Raspberries: For younger skin

The small snack for in between not only tastes great, but also has important added value: the fruit is considered to be detoxifying and beneficial for digestion. Raspberries also contain antioxidants that can slow down skin aging and reduce the risk of cancer.

8. Oatmeal: Valuable vitamins, minerals and fiber

As a tasty addition to a smoothie, when baking or in muesli: oatmeal is a healthy food for everyday use. They contain roughage, valuable vitamins, minerals and at the same time little fat. The fiber in particular keeps you full for a long time and gets you through the day well. Oatmeal can also help with gastrointestinal problems. Oatmeal cookies are highly recommended as a healthy snack between meals.

9. Apples: Cleanse the body from within

“One apple a day keeps the doctor away” – this is by no means a myth. Apples not only strengthen the immune system, they also have a high proportion of fiber, flavonoids and polyphenols. These cleanse your body of metabolic toxins. The miracle fruit is also said to help with constipation and diarrhea.

10. Dark Chocolate: Antioxidants for Mental Performance

Surprised? You can also eat chocolate every day – but here we mean dark chocolate with no added sugar. The treat is a health booster: cocoa is a source of antioxidants and improves your mental performance. Chocolate is suitable as a snack between meals or as a dessert.

Conclusion: reduce the risk of death – this is possible with the right diet

A fit body doesn’t just need exercise. A balanced diet is also important. This does not mean that you are only allowed to eat fruit and vegetables, but that many different foods with valuable content should end up on your plate.

Also: Apart from a healthy and balanced diet, you should also drink enough water, get enough sleep and do enough exercise. This is the only way to stay fit and healthy.

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Lifestyle

Keep the Advent Wreath Fresh and Safe for Longer

There are still two weeks until the festival, but are the first brown needles already falling from the Advent wreath? You can prevent this with simple means.

Every year you wonder how your advent wreath stays fresh and safe longer? We have tips and tricks for you for a fresh Advent wreath for Christmas.

Why an Advent wreath?

The Advent wreath not only looks beautiful, but it also shortens the waiting time for Christmas. So many people have it at home. But very few know the history of the Advent wreath. This was introduced in 1839 by evangelical theologians to shorten the waiting time for street children in times of industrialization for Christmas. The original symbolism lies in the increase of light. Since this symbolizes the increasing expectation of the birth of Jesus. Even today, the Advent wreath shortens the waiting time until Christmas. But how does it survive the weeks leading up to the festival?

1) Tie the wreath yourself

Tying Christmas wreaths yourself is fun and extends the shelf life. Use high-quality fir branches for this. Nobili fir branches are ideal because they do not needle. However, they don’t smell that nice either. But they are more durable. If you’re making your own wreath, you’ll want to tie it onto a fresh, moistened floral matrix. This will reduce the drying out of the Advent wreath. To avoid water stains on the table, place everything on a large plate or board. You can also cut the branches on the side and put them in a water bath. Then seal with a hot glue gun.

2) Regularly moistening the branches

If you spray the fir trees and the floral foam lightly with water from time to time, the Advent wreath will stay fresh longer. Spraying with water also has the advantage that the risk of fire is not so great. In addition, replace dry branches. If possible, you can give the arrangement a short water bath once a day. The tips for Christmas trees that you should consider are similarly helpful.

3) Avoid heat

If possible, you should avoid dry heating air. Because the branches do not tolerate heat very well. That’s why they dry out even faster when it’s warm. So never place it directly next to a heat source, such as the radiator or the fireplace. You can also prevent drying out by leaving the Advent wreath out on the balcony overnight. So it gets enough moisture. But be careful, you should avoid avoiding humidity in rooms to prevent mold.

4) Hairspray in exceptional cases

A light film of hairspray also protects the needles from drying out too quickly. But the disadvantage here is that the wreath looks a bit artificial. In addition, the pine scent is lost. Alternatively, you can make your own Christmas scents. Also, note that hairspray makes the wreath highly flammable and dangerous. Therefore, the other tips are recommended. Furthermore, use hairspray as a home remedy for removing felt-tip pens.

Important rules for the Advent wreath

In any case, when you buy the fir trees, you should make sure that they are really fresh. And keep them cool until Advent. But you should never take your eyes off the wreath when the candles are burning. In addition, homemade candles must always be firmly attached. So-called candle plates are suitable for this. But please never attach the candles with just wire. Likewise, for extra safety in the household, you should never blow out the candles. This can cause sparks and set the wreath on fire.

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Cooking Tips

Freezing Brussels Sprouts: These Tips Will Keep Them Fresh

Leftover Brussels sprouts can be easily frozen: we will show you how to preserve the green winter vegetables for a long time and what you need to consider when freezing.

Brussels sprouts can be prepared in many ways – the winter vegetable is also very rich in vitamins and nutrients. If you have your own plant in the garden, you will quickly notice how productive it is: A single Brussels sprouts plant can produce up to 40 florets. If you can’t use up the entire harvest at once, it’s worth freezing Brussels sprouts – we’ll explain how to do that here.

Freezing Brussels sprouts: Clean and blanch

Before you freeze the Brussels sprouts, you should prepare them well:
First, the Brussels sprouts must be cleaned thoroughly. To do this, cut off the stalk and remove the withered and outer leaves.
Wash the Brussels sprouts in a large bowl of lukewarm water or rinse them under the faucet.
In the last preparatory step, you blanch the Brussels sprouts: Put them in a pot of boiling salted water for two minutes. Then scare him off with cold water.

Tip: This is how frozen Brussels sprouts don’t stick together

To prevent the florets from freezing together in the freezer, you should snap freeze them. This way you can always take as many florets out of the glass as you need later.

How it works:
Drain the Brussels sprouts or dry them with paper towels.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have a baking sheet at hand, you can also use a board or a large plate.
Arrange the florets on the tray so they don’t touch each other.
Now place the tray in the freezer or freezer for 1.5 to 2 hours. It is best to set your device to a particularly low temperature during this time.
When you take it out again, the Brussels sprouts are flash frozen. You can now freeze it as normal.

Freezing Brussels sprouts: Here’s how

How to freeze Brussels sprouts:
Store the Brussels sprouts in freezer-safe containers. If you haven’t flash frozen it, you should fill the Brussels sprouts in portion sizes – otherwise there will be some left over after defrosting.
Now place the filled containers in your freezer compartment.
The Brussels sprouts can now be kept for at least half a year. Later, thaw it directly in boiling water.

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Cooking Tips

Storing Radishes: These Tips Will Keep Them Crunchy For Longer

Storing radishes properly is not that difficult. In this article you can read how you can keep the healthy and tasty snack crunchy for longer with a few simple tricks.

Storing radishes: general information

Radishes are among the first vegetables to be harvested throughout the year. The delicious vegetable got its name from Latin. “Radix” appropriately means root. It has been part of European cuisine since the 16th century, originating in France. In the decades and hundreds that followed, it was eaten more and more in other countries as well. Whether in salads, quark dips or simply raw – radishes are always a good choice. If you store radishes in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for up to three days.

You can find out if the radishes are still fresh in the store. They shouldn’t be too soft. Also look at the leaves. The fresher the leaves are, the fresher the radish itself is. Wilted leaves indicate that the radishes have passed their prime.

Storing radishes: storage tips

If you store radishes properly, they stay fresh and crunchy longer:
Cut off leaves and roots with a knife. This prevents the stored water from going into the leaves. This leaves more in the radish itself.
Take a can and put the radishes in it. Alternatively, you can wrap the radishes in damp towels.
Store them in the crisper in the fridge. They stay there for up to three days. A cool basement is an alternative.
Of course you can also freeze radishes. But then they lose their taste, at least partially.
If the radishes have softened, place them in a water bath for a few minutes. This makes them a little crunchier again.

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Food

Grapefruit is Healthy – But You Should Keep That in Mind

Grapefruit is considered healthy because it contains many vitamins, phytochemicals and fiber. However, grapefruit can also be dangerous – especially in combination with certain medications.

Like all citrus fruits, grapefruits are very healthy because of their high vitamin C content. The grapefruit has a lot to offer and also provides many other important nutrients. That is why the fruit is also considered the queen of citrus fruits. However, fresh grapefruit and grapefruit juice can also become a serious health hazard. We explain what makes grapefruit so healthy and what you should definitely pay attention to when eating.

Grapefruit is healthy – thanks to these ingredients

Grapefruit has a particularly high content of vitamin C. The so-called ascorbic acid is important for the immune system and the development of connective tissue, among other things.

In addition, grapefruit also provides folic acid (vitamin B9), the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene and some other B vitamins in smaller quantities. The citrus fruit also contains the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphate. The watery fruit has almost no calories and fat – but a lot of fiber pectin.

The many secondary plant substances also make grapefruit so healthy: carotenoids have an antioxidant, immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effect. They should also be able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, age-related eye diseases and possibly even cancer.

Not healthy: Grapefruit interacting with drugs

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice affect the effects of 85 drugs.
Serious side effects can occur with about half of the drugs. Stomach bleeding, kidney or heart damage and even deaths have been observed.
Mode of action: Grapefruits inhibit the body’s own enzyme CYP3A4. This occurs mainly in the liver and the intestinal wall and is responsible for the breakdown of many drugs. By inhibiting the enzyme, the drugs are broken down less quickly. Many medications have a stronger effect, some weaker.
The drugs affected include antihypertensive drugs, heart pills, sleeping pills and sexual enhancers.
Even a single grapefruit or a glass of grapefruit juice can cause significant interactions. Even 24 hours apart, grapefruits can affect the effectiveness of medications.
For example, grapefruits can lead to pain and muscle weakness in combination with cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart pills to palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath, or water-repellents to high water loss and dehydration, according to the BR.

In addition, grapefruit can also interact with birth control pills. Accordingly, the pill does not lose its effectiveness, but can lead to side effects such as breast tenderness and an increased risk of thrombosis.

Eat grapefruits healthily: Recommended intake

Based on the results, the scientists from the study mentioned advise against consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice at all if you are taking medication.

The researchers also point out that there is still a need for research on drug interactions. It is quite possible that other drug interactions will become known in the future. Therefore, as a precaution, if you are taking prescription medication, you should minimize the consumption of grapefruit or consult your doctor.

Incidentally, the “dangerous” plant substance naringin is also found in grapefruit and in the bitter or Seville oranges, which are often used for jam. The same consumption recommendations apply to these types of fruit. According to the BR, oranges and orange juice are harmless, as is apple juice.

If you are not taking any medication, you do not need to worry about unwanted side effects: Then you can enjoy the healthy grapefruit and self-squeezed grapefruit juice and benefit from the good ingredients.

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Food

Storing Tomatoes: This is How Tomatoes Keep For a Long Time

Tomatoes should not be missing in any kitchen, especially in summer. To keep them fresh and tasty for as long as possible, it is important to store tomatoes correctly. We tell you what you should pay attention to.

Tomatoes are sensitive fruits when it comes to storage: they don’t like refrigerators, but they don’t like too much heat either, and they prefer to spend their time away from other fruits and vegetables. Storing tomatoes correctly not only affects their shelf life, but also their taste, because tomatoes that are harvested unripe continue to ripen in storage. Preparation for storage also plays an important role.

Depending on the variety, tomatoes can be kept for up to 14 days under optimal conditions.

How to prepare tomatoes for storage

Even before the actual storage, you can pay attention to certain things that will ensure that your tomatoes stay fresh for a long time.

If you harvest your own tomatoes, you should first harvest them with the stalks and blossom ends and do not remove them even if they have dried up. The green provides the tomatoes with nutrients even after they have been picked.

The following applies to both self-harvested and purchased tomatoes: it is better not to wash them before storing them. When washed tomatoes go into storage, any moisture left behind can quickly lead to mold growth. Overripe tomatoes, on the other hand, burst easily when pressure is applied to them during washing. Therefore: It is better to wash them just before you eat the tomatoes.

Store tomatoes correctly: It depends on the temperature and location

If you want your tomatoes to last as long as possible, the right temperature plays an important role. So the most important thing first: Tomatoes don’t belong in the fridge. This place is the worst imaginable for storing tomatoes. They react sensitively to cold, which means they lose their taste and acquire a floury consistency. In addition, their vitamin content is reduced by the cold temperatures.

But even an environment that is too warm is not good for the harvested tomatoes when they are already ripe. It causes tomatoes to continue to ripen and can therefore rot quickly.

Tomatoes feel best when they

at room temperature
in an airy but dark or shady place
be stored. A simple shelf or the kitchen table is therefore a suitable place to store tomatoes.

Tip for unripe tomatoes: If you want to let unripe tomatoes ripen, you can put them in a slightly warmer place, for example on a sunlit windowsill. Because the higher temperatures accelerate the post-ripening process.

Store tomatoes correctly: Better without neighbors

Another important point is that it is best to store the fruit separately from other fruits and vegetables. Ripe tomatoes emit ethylene, a gaseous plant hormone that stimulates nearby fruit and vegetables to ripen faster—and possibly rot as a result.

Other fruit and vegetables also emit the ripening gas, which means that tomatoes in turn ripen faster – and possibly go bad.

Fruits and vegetables you should keep separate from include tomatoes

Apples, bananas, pears, apricots
Cucumbers, peppers, hot peppers.
Tip for unripe tomatoes: You can of course take advantage of the effects of ethylene if you want to ripen unripe tomatoes faster. Then just store them with these other fruits and vegetables. After a few days, the tomatoes will have ripened and should then be stored separately.

Store tomatoes correctly: the right container

Many tomatoes from the supermarket come sealed in plastic. However, the fruit does not get enough oxygen in it and therefore rots faster. It is therefore better to buy tomatoes without plastic packaging from the start, so you are also doing something good for the environment.

Tomatoes prefer it airy. Therefore, place them in an open container, such as a bowl, basket, storage box without a lid, or on a plate. Baskets work particularly well if they are made of woven straw or metal struts, as this allows for good ventilation.

To prevent the tomatoes from bruising, you can line the container with a clean kitchen towel beforehand.

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Food

Storing Potatoes: These 7 Tips Will Keep Them Fresh For a Long Time

Storing potatoes properly is not difficult at all. The most important thing is that you protect them from light. Otherwise they will quickly start to germinate or turn green. Here you can find out what else you should pay attention to.

Store potatoes correctly: protect from heat and light

Potatoes begin to germinate quickly in warmth and light. The toxic germs cannot be eaten and they deprive the potato of important nutrients. As a result, it shrinks and loses flavor and firmness. Sprouted potatoes can have high concentrations of toxic glycoalkaloids. This substance is also contained in green potatoes and makes them intolerable. You can prevent or at least delay the potatoes from germinating and turning green by storing them correctly.

In addition, potatoes can easily go moldy – even one affected tuber can spread the rot to many other potatoes and possibly make the entire harvest unusable.

With a little experience, you can even store potatoes for many months until the next season. This is practical because you can buy local potatoes in advance without long transport routes. The late potatoes are ripe in September and October, the early potatoes as early as June.

7 tips for storing potatoes properly

Choose a dark place for storage: for example your pantry, the basement or a shed in the garden. If you don’t have all of this available, you can also store the potatoes in a linen bag in the kitchen to protect them from light.
Pay attention to low temperatures, because the potatoes start to sprout from around 10°C. At the same time, it must not get colder than 4° C, otherwise the starch in the tubers will turn into sugar, which will affect the taste. Ideal for storing potatoes is 4°C to 8°C.
Protect the potatoes from frost (e.g. when storing them in the garden or in cold cellars) and never put them in the freezer.
Store them in a dry and airy place so the potatoes don’t get moldy or rot. A linen sack or a wooden box in which the potatoes are loosely stacked is suitable for storage. Plastic bags are unsuitable for storing potatoes. If you have enough space in the garden, you can also build a potato tower.
Check your potatoes from time to time: If small sprouts have formed, the affected tubers must be eaten as soon as possible. Rotten potatoes must be removed immediately and disposed of with organic waste. Regular rearranging also ensures adequate ventilation.
Store potatoes separately from fruit, especially apples. The ripening gas ethylene that many fruits give off will otherwise quickly spoil the potatoes.
Only undamaged potatoes with an intact skin and without bruises or sprouting are suitable for long-term storage over several months. Slightly damaged potatoes should be eaten quickly. If the potatoes are stored well distributed on slatted frames, they will keep for months.

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