Want to store celery in fridge and don’t know how long last? Celery is a cooking vegetable that naturally gives a delicious taste to food. Celery is used in a variety of ways, sometimes cooked, or raw, it truly is a versatile vegetable that can be prepared and used however you like. however, for those of you who work with celery, you should know how long it lasts in the refrigerator so you can store it in large quantities for your various cooking needs.
Ok, here we will explain your great question, how long does celery last in the refrigerator, of course we will also explain things related to its shelf life. We will also add how to store celery properly, because its shelf life really depends on how you store it. If you store celery correctly, it will last longer than if you store it the wrong way.
What is Celery?
Celery is a low-calorie vegetable that grows in the soil. It is low growing with a stem consisting of green petioles. the stalk is composed of green, serrated leaves.
Celery leaves are generally used for cooking soups, and the like. This vegetable contains a lot of water, but it is also rich in antioxidants and filled with fiber.
Celery is a vegetable in the Apiaceae family, which also includes parsley, carrots, celeriac, and parsnips.
How to Choose Fresh Celery
Celery is very easy to find in traditional markets to supermarkets. But for those of you who buy them at the market, you have to be smart in choosing these vegetables in order to get fresh ones with a strong aroma. Some of these vegetables wilt easily and lose their aroma.
In addition, how to choose the right celery is important so you can store it longer. If you buy celery that is a few days old at the store, of course you won’t be able to store it for a longer time.
So, choose fresh celery, besides the aroma is still strong, it can also last longer in the refrigerator.
Here are some ways to choose celery properly:
1. Stems are dark green
Choose celery with stems that are dark green or still very green and not yellowish. If you find celery stalks that are light green and slightly yellow, this is a sign that the stalks are not fresh and will not last much longer.
2. Dark green leaves
How to choose celery also pay attention to the color of the leaves. In addition to the dark green stems, the leaves must also be dark green because this indicates that the celery is fresh and has just been harvested.
As well as being dark green, the leaves should also be fresh and showing signs of wilting or splitting.
3. Crispy and hard
Then, how to choose celery is to pay attention to the hardness and crunchiness of the stems and leaves. If the stems are still hard and crunchy, this means they are fresh and of good quality.
If you find celery with soft stalks, this indicates that it has been in the store too long. So, you should choose other celery if you have it, but if you don’t have an option, you can choose wood, but this must be used immediately and not stored.
How to Tell if Celery Is Bad?
Knowing that celery is rotten is very important so you don’t buy it or don’t use it in cooking. Who knows, you have stored celery for several days in the refrigerator or at room temperature, which will make your celery rot. Now, by knowing the key indications for this rotten celery, you certainly won’t use it again when you find your celery rotting.
Look carefully, here are some indications that your celery is no longer suitable for use.
1. Mushy
Fresh celery should be crunchy and firm, if you find your celery is mushy, feels soft, then chances are your celery is rotten or won’t last much longer.
2. Slimy
Have you ever found celery that is wet or slimy. If you have ever seen it in your shop or home, then it is a sign that your celery is no longer suitable for use, you should throw it away instead of eating it.
When celery goes through the process of decay, it secretes mucus and fluids with an unpleasant odor. You should throw it away and not eat it.
3. Moldy
If mold has formed on your celery, then that is an indication that your celery should be thrown away without eating it.
4. Color change
As we saw above that fresh celery is firm, crunchy and fragrant. If you find that your celery has turned yellow, brown, gray or has changed color, then it is likely that your celery is rotting or on the way to decay.
How to Store Celery
Apart from knowing how to choose the right celery, then you have to be able to store celery properly. These are the two main keys to making your celery last longer when stored. So, now that we know how to choose fresh celery, now we have to know how to store it.
The Best Way to Store Celery
The best way to store celery is in the refrigerator, low temperatures or freezing will keep it from oxidizing so it will last longer.
When you store it properly, you can use the celery for a week or two and it’s still fresh.
Storing celery in the fridge isn’t just about putting it away, there are tricks and ways to store celery in the fridge that you have to understand so you can successfully extend the life of celery.
When storing in the refrigerator, you must wrap your celery and the way to wrap it is to wrap the entire head of celery and leave the ends open. You can use aluminum foil or paper towels, then place them in the fridge drawer.
Wrapping the celery like this will trap the release of ethylene compounds and this will keep the celery fresh. If you don’t want to wrap with aluminum foil, you can use aluminum foil instead with wet tissue.
How to Store Chopped Celery
What about chopped celery, can chopped celery be stored in the refrigerator, if “can”, how?
Chopped celery, when stored will dry out more quickly than with whole celery. If it is dry, then the aroma fades and loses its taste for those of us who see it.
If you want to store chopped celery, then you have to find a way to keep it moist. It may be more suitable to store it in water. Storing chopped celery in water, you should use an airtight container with a little space at the top.
Put the chopped celery in a bowl, also add cold water until all the celery is submerged. Then place it in the fridge, and store it, your chopped celery will last for 3 days, every day replace the water with a cleaner and fresher one.
How to Store Celery Root
There is also celery root, how do you store it, is it the same as you store celery in general. Cut off the leaves and the root ends. Then place it in the fridge drawer without washing it, this method of storing celery will last for 4-5 days.
Food Storage – How long does celery last?
Ok, until here we already know how to choose fresh celery and how to store it properly. If you have stored it properly, how long does celery actually last with its freshness.
Raw, fresh celery can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks, see how to store celery properly above.
Frozen celery. Meanwhile, storing celery by freezing it in the freezer will certainly last longer. Storage of celery in the freezer can last up to 12 or even 18 months. The best use for frozen celery is in cooked dishes, the texture and consistency change somewhat and are not suitable for consumption fresh.
Checkup more:
- Can Bananas Be Refrigerated? – All About How to Store Bananas
- How to Store Potatoes to Keep Them Fresh for 6 Months
- 19 Best Celery Seed Substitutes for Delicious Cuisine
How to Keep Celery Sticks Fresh
The way to store celery to maintain its freshness is to store it in water. Place the celery pieces in an airtight container, add water and cover. Place the container in the refrigerator drawer, and it will last for 5 days in good freshness. Change the water every day so that no changes occur.
How to Freeze Celery
How to freeze celery so it lasts up to 18 months. First chop the fresh celery (after washing it). Cutting before freezing is easier than doing it after freezing.
Then boil the celery by placing it in boiling water for 1 minute, and then placing it in ice water for 3 minutes.
Then remove from the ice water and let it dry, when it’s dry, put it in a seal bag (airtight), store it in the freezer and it will last for 12 months or 18 months and you will see your celery stays fresh there.
How to Cook with Frozen Celery
Frozen celery is not suitable for consumption raw, but it is more suitable for inclusion in dishes such as soups, stews, sauces or in stuffings. Once frozen, celery will change in consistency and is not suitable for raw dishes such as salads.
How to Revive Wilted Celery
If the celery you buy at the market has withered or feels a bit soft and there are no signs of spoilage, you can still use your celery. But you should make it fresh again first. The way to revive wilted celery is to soak it in water for a few hours.
After a few hours of soaking in water, the wilted celery will absorb the water and it will expand again and look fresh again. Now your celery is fresh again as if it has been revived from wilting.
Celery Storage Supplies
Keeping celery fresh is by storing it properly in the refrigerator. For this storage you need some materials. These include: A sharp knife, a colander, aluminum foil, tissue paper, an airtight container, and a soup pot for boiling and a freezer bag for storing frozen celery.
FAQs About Celery
There are many questions about how to store and how to choose fresh celery. We’ve collected some frequently asked questions about celery below.
Q: Does raw celery need to be washed before eating?
A: Yes, before eating or preparing it for your cooking, celery is the same as other vegetables that must always be washed to keep it clean.
Q: How long does raw celery that has been chopped or sliced last?
A: Raw celery will keep for a week or two after chopping or slicing, if you store it properly according to directions.
Q: How long does celery last in the fridge after cooking
A: Celery can last in the refrigerator after cooking for about 3 to 5 days. But you have to store it in an airtight container.
Q: Can you freeze celery?
A: Sure, you can freeze your celery. But you should know that frozen celery is only suitable for use in cooking, and not suitable for consumption raw, such as in salads. Once frozen, when thawed the consistency will change.
The way to freeze celery is to wash it clean, cut it, boil it, drain it and store it in a sealer bag and put it in the freezer.
Q: How long does celery last in the freezer?
A: If it’s in the freezer, it looks like the celery will last up to a year or more. You can use it for a period of 12 months to 18 months.
Q: Does celery go bad?
A: It’s true, celery can go bad too, especially if it’s been sitting out in room temperature for a long time. If you see your celery is brown, yellow, slimy and smells bad, then you better throw it away instead to consume it.
Q: How long does celery juice last in the refrigerator?
A: If you are making celery juice, it will last in the fridge for 3 days, but you should store it in an airtight container.
Q: How long does celery last in water (storage in a watery container)
A: How long does celery last in water? It can last for 3 to 5 days of storage. Storing in water helps the celery stay fresh and crunchy. But remember, if you keep it in water, you have to keep the water replaced every day. If not, then the water can be contaminated with bacteria.
Q: How to keep celery sticks fresh?
A: The way to keep celery sticks fresh is to store them in water in an airtight container. All celery stalks that have been cut into pieces must be submerged in water and cover the container properly. Don’t forget to change the water every day to keep it fresh. It will last fresh for 305 days.
Q: How to keep celery fresh without foil?
If you don’t want to use aluminum foil to wrap celery when storing it in the refrigerator, you can store it using a wet tissue. cover with wet tissue and then wrap with airtight plastic. Store in your refrigerator to last for several days. Double-check the storage techniques we described above.
Q: What happens if you eat bad celery?
A: Just like other rotten foods, if you eat rotten celery it will be possible to contract bacteria or viruses. If you are not sure about the freshness of the celery, you should just throw it away.
Q: How long does celery soup last in the fridge?
A: You use celery to make soup or soup, and the rest you want to store in the refrigerator. Don’t worry, Celery Soup can be stored in the refrigerator, but you have to know how long it will grow there. Usually if you store it in an airtight container, the celery soup can last for 3-5 days in the fridge.