Well, good news, Winning Appliances feature a number of outstanding refrigeration solutions which will definitely bring enriched textures and tastes (as well as health benefits!) to your cooking.
Now, Liebherr are definitely one of the leading lights in this respect. This multi-faceted and very prestigious German manufacturer have an output that has encompassed everything from earth-moving equipment to aeronautical components - and, of course, premium refrigeration! We're going to throw a little light on a couple of their outstanding features in a moment.
But first, a qualification: while there is obviously produce which will benefit by being put into a (quality) fridge - there is definitely produce which won't! So, before we explore Liebherr - let's find out what prefers what!
To chill or not to chill
To be clear (in case it wasn't), this is a matter of what's intrinsic to the produce itself. Some just prefer to ripen at room temperature to achieve a good flavour and texture (and, in some cases, the cold can actively prevent them from doing so). A case in point are these familiar - and very delicious - items (pictured below)!
Pink tomatoes ripen to a better taste and red color if they are left at room temperature. In the fridge, they don't turn red - leaving you with a tasteless tomato - and even red tomatoes kept in the fridge lose their flavor.
The science behind this is to do with the effect of temperature on the volatile chemical compound (so-called "volatiles") that contribute to the taste of the tomato. Storing them below room temperature will cause these volatiles to break down.
Other examples of produce that dislike the cold include bananas, citrus fruits, eggplant, berries, peaches and apricots. And definitely don't put your spuds in the fridge - the cold causes their starch to break down too quickly into sugar and for the potato to spoil.
Oh and coffee ... despite the conventional wisdom, it's best not to keep it in the fridge, but to keep it at room temperature to avoid drying out the beans and destroying the oils that give your coffee those essential flavours.
The Cold and The Beautiful
Here is a very abbreviated run-down of those items which should go in the fridge:
- Apples
- Cruciferous vegetables (for the uninitiated, a family which includes Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower).
- Greens such as Lettuce, Kale and Spinach
- Carrots
- Celery
- Figs
- Ginger
- Mushrooms
- Peas
- Peppers
- Pineapple
- Zucchini
And then there are those which should be timed for a bit of both - needing room temperature for the ripening process but refrigeration, once ripened. This applies to produce such as mangoes, kiwi fruits, melons and pears.
Herb preserve
Of course, herbs can require careful handling. While we believe they can definitely be stored in a fridge, it can help to give them some extra love. Here are some expert suggestions:
- Wrap herbs such as oregano, dill, sage, mint and thyme in a damp paper towel - to be sealed in a plastic bag in the fridge.
- Wrap basil in a dry paper towel - any moisture tends to turn the leaves black and limp.
- Lastly, here's a tip: before placing your parsley and coriander in the fridge, put it upright in a glass with some water in it - then cover with a plastic bag to be secured with an elastic band.
Cross contamination prevention
It's important to remember that some things shouldn't be mixed together in the fridge. Fruits and vegetables give off a type of plant hormone known as ethylene gas - which sounds a little scary but it's actually a perfectly natural part of the ripening process.
The problem is that fruits release more ethylene gas than vegetables - which can lead to premature spoiling of veggies that are kept with fruit. If you are someone who likes to fill your fridge with plenty of produce, it can be recommended to choose fridges which provide separate compartments.
It's also important to be aware of the contaminating power of strongly flavored items. Onions and garlic are the most notorious culprits in this respect - being pungent enough that, once cut, they'll need to be stored in tupperware (or even a glass bowl) to prevent their odours from spreading. This is especially true if they are put anywhere near anything that absorbs other flavours easily - such as butter, milk, eggs and breads.
Which is where the good folk at Liebherr come in ...
Biofresh
There are a lot of refrigeration features which have been designed to prolong the lifespan of your fresh produce. Notable amongst them is Liebherr's "Biofresh" feature ... which is able to keep food fresher significantly longer than traditional methods.
One of the key aspects of this technology is that it offers specialised compartments providing the optimum individual environments for fruit and vegetables (as well as fish, meat and dairy products). These compartments are see-through and mounted on rails for added convenience.
BioFresh Plus Drawers, available on select models, are fully customisable so you can regulate the temperature and humidity depending on the type of produce you're storing. With built-in presets for seafood, meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, your fresh food will be stored in the perfect climate for long-term storage.
You end up with multiple climate zones in a single appliance ... a place where you can keep your fruit and vegetables in the ideal conditions - and separated so you don't have any cross-contamination.
With this feature, Liebherr have definitely upped the ante on refrigeration technology - and there are plenty of other great innovations to be found in their range. Be sure to browse their selection at Winning Appliances.
