Why you shouldn’t wrap leftover food in aluminum foil
Leftovers? In a container, cover with aluminum foil, and into the fridge. Or not? According to experts, that aluminum foil is actually not such a good idea.
The great enemy of leftover grilled chicken, shawarma or any leftovers whatsoever is oxygen. Bacteria need it to grow and thrive. If you wrap leftover food in aluminum foil, there will always be enough oxygen to get to it. And that means the food spoils just as quickly as it would uncovered in your fridge.
No aluminum foil
No oxygen
So you need to approach it differently. Cling film (the name says it all) ensures that no more oxygen can get to the food, so it’s better for covering your container. Also make sure you use a food storage container that isn’t too big – lots of empty space means plenty of oxygen for all those pathogens – and chill the food quickly. If you have a lid that fits the container, that’s always better than cling film. If hot food is kept at room temperature for two hours or more, you can almost hear the bacteria growing, and this is especially true of food containing dairy or meat.
Flowers and bees
Another reason not to use aluminum foil: it’s really bad for the environment. Producing aluminum foil requires much more energy than producing, for example, cling film. Even more environmentally friendly: those alternative beeswax wraps, although they’re still relatively unknown.
In the freezer
Have you cooked far too much food, leaving you with a huge amount of leftovers? Pack them in freezer bags or containers and put them in your freezer. They’ll keep well for at least a few months, and if you defrost them properly, the quality will remain the same. But remember: even food in the freezer doesn’t last forever.
Also read:
- Freezing cheese? You can, but remember these tips
- Use this tip for the perfect seared crust on your steak
- So typical: men who save the last bit for you
Source: RD.com
