Quantity and storage life of fruits and vegetables

Maintaining proper quality and storage of “fruits and vegetables” is essential for a good lifestyle of an individual. This is because the better quality and fresh “fruits and vegetables” provides an individual with vital nutrients, plant chemicals and minerals. Moreover, a proper diet with fresh vegetables and fruits supports an individual with an enhanced metabolism rate, a better digestion system. In most cases, it serves the purpose of natural medication within a being by preventing the individual from several deadly diseases, by increasing the immunity level. Storage and maintaining a proper quality is necessary as it helps in retaining the quality of “vegetables and fruits” keeping intact its food value. 

“Quality” and “storage life” of “fruits and vegetables” are essential and both these terms are interlinked in nature. “Quality” of “fruits and vegetables” are restored depending on the “storage life”. An ideal temperature is required in maintaining the quality and freshness reserved within “vegetables and fruits”. 

Definition of “storage life”

“Storage life” is also known as “shelf life” when discussing “fruits and vegetables”. The term “shelf life” suggests the “length of time” that is taken for proper preservation of “fruits and vegetables” which are fit for consumption, and that means “stored fruits and vegetables” are to be consumed without “becoming unfit” or are degraded of their quality. It is crucial in levelling the product as an individual needs to know how long the “fruits or vegetables” will retain their “food value” for consumption. 

Suitable conditions for “shelf life”

From several studies, it has been acknowledged that for major vegetables, crops of “cool-season” need to be kept in cool places which have a temperature between “32 degrees to 35 degrees F”, whereas, vegetables of “warmer season” need to be kept in places of warmth. The temperature for these warmer crops needs to be within “44 degrees to 55-degree F”. As acknowledged, it is understood that both “fruits and vegetables” have primarily two “shelf life”, one of “shelf life in a cupboard” and “shelf life in the refrigerator”. For fruits shelf life varies from days to months as it differs from one fruit to another. Although it is acknowledged that, “shelf life” is essential in preserving the “food value” of any fruit or vegetable.

Factors are taken care of while maintaining the “quality and storage life” of fruits and vegetables

Certain crucial factors are there that are to be required in preserving the “quality and storage life” of fruits and vegetables. Such factors contribute to the aspect of “physical injury”, “exposure to extreme temperatures”, “delayed cooling”, “storage at chilling temperatures”. In addition to these other factors include “duration of extended storages”, “relative humidity”. All these factors if not maintained properly may affect the food value of “fruits and vegetables” as these factors may lower the nutrition value at the time of “marketing of the respective commodity” such as “packing and as well storage”. 

Need for maintaining “quality and storage life” of fruits and vegetables

Storage and maintaining the “quality and storage life” is important as it keeps individuals safe from “foodborne illnesses”. Maintenance of the “nutritional value” of vegetables and fruits are crucial as better storages increase the quality of consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits by individuals. This in turn supports the healthy life of respective individuals and intake of better quality constitutes essential vitamins, minerals, fibres and also compounds that help in fighting deadly diseases such as cancer. 

Factors leading to consumption of “fresh vegetables and fruits”

Several factors have been noticed that is now leading to the trend of usage of more and more “fresh vegetables and fruits” and primarily based on the “purchase behaviour” of an individual. Such factors are a recent study mentioned that the notion of nutritional value lies higher than the aspect of “flavour”, “ripeness” and “appearances”. Furthermore, to consumers the “nutritional value” is more important than that of respective “growing season”, “price”, “location” and also whether “practices associated” with “organic versus convention”. Moreover, it is acknowledged that customers are more encouraged by vegetables and fruits for they are vital sources of fibres, several essential minerals, natural compounds for fighting deadly diseases and vitamins.

Conclusion   

In conclusion, the topic, the necessary aspects associated with the “quality and storage life” of “fruits and vegetables” are intensively explored in this study. Starting with the importance of better quality “fruit and vegetables” with its values and how they affect an individual with its “quality and storage life” has been discussed effectively. Moreover, the better quality of “fruits and vegetables” helps in enhancing the lifestyle of an individual and as well preventing the individual from getting affected by deadly diseases. In addition to this preserving or proper storage of “fruits and vegetables” provides with retaining medicinal qualities within and helps in notions of availability.