food storage

Coffee drinkers all differ in their opinions about the best way to store beans, and insist on doing everything from freezing coffee to storing it whole in glass canisters. So what is truly the best way to preserve the flavor of coffee grounds?

According to the National Coffee Association, coffee's biggest enemies are air, moisture, heat, and light — in that order. Contact with air causes coffee to lose flavor; moisture will make it deteriorate more rapidly; heat will spoil it; and sunlight will cause beans to taste stale.

Transfer coffee grounds to a container with an airtight seal, and store them in a cool, dark, dry place, where they will keep for as long as two weeks. When possible, buy valve-sealed (not vacuum-sealed) whole beans, and grind them right before brewing them.

Generally, coffee shouldn't be frozen — the extreme cold will break down the bean's oils, and the very porous grounds will easily absorb other flavors in the freezer. If you've got a surplus of coffee, however, you can freeze it in a pinch. But know that you shouldn't return it to the freezer after it's been removed — and never place it in the refrigerator.

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Yes, you can— but you may not want to. According to the USDA, when raw meat is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking. For this reason, it's perfectly OK to purchase, say, a previously frozen piece of salmon from Trader Joe's, and then put it in your freezer when you get home.

But if you refreeze thawed poultry or meat, you will be compromising quality of taste and texture. Not only does meat lose water during the defrosting process, but refreezing it also creates ice crystals within the structure of the meat that alter its fibers, leaving an unfortunately dry cut of meat.

Of course, like all raw animal protein, the true safety of the product will depend on whether it's been properly handled. The best ways to defrost raw meat are in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave — not on a room-temperature kitchen counter.

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To foil or to plastic wrap: that is the age-old question that's been around longer than I've known how to cook. So which keeps food fresher longer? The answer is that it all depends on what you're aiming to preserve.

Foil has a much more substantial thickness. It's preferable for aromatic, heavily scented foods like curries. It also prevents freezer burn, so use it for items that you're storing for a lengthy period of time in the freezer.
For fresh foods, opt for plastic; it's capable of sealing produce tighter than foil and is ideal for things like avocados and apples, which turn color when exposed. Aluminum reacts badly with acidic fruits and foods, whereas plastic wrap doesn't. Plastic wrap can even help to accelerate the marinating process.

It's important to keep in mind how you'll be reheating the food. It goes without saying that foil can't be microwaved, but heats well in the oven. While plastic wrap would melt under the heat of an oven, it seals in moisture in the microwave. If all else fails, there's always tupperware.

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Sick of your fruits and veggies going bad immediately (or so it seems) after you take them home?

These new Produce Savers from Rubbermaid keep fruits and vegetables fresh and crisp up to 33 percent longer as compared to other traditional food-storage methods. The containers allow the produce to breathe while also separating it from moisture, making getting your five a day a lot more attainable when you know it's going to be fresh. I really like that I can bring one of these into work, knowing my in-season fruit will not get squished on my way and will stay fresher longer.

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The other day I opened my refrigerator and pulled out the gourmet Italian bologna I had been snacking on earlier in the week. However, I was greeted by that gross, gag-inducing old lunchmeat smell. Disappointed and shocked, I wondered: Just how long does fresh sliced deli meat last? I did some research and came across an incredibly useful chart that lists tons of ingredients and how long they last in the fridge or freezer.

According to the chart, my open luncheon meat lasts just three to five days in the fridge. To check out the shelf life of a bunch of common ingredients, read more

Pineapple happens to be one of my absolute favorite fruits. Yesterday they were on sale at my local Whole Foods (2 for $6) and I decided to grab a pair. When I got to the checkout counter, the gal asked if I would like her to remove the tops for me. I said yes and watched as she gave the leafy bit a firm twist.

Once the leaves had been popped off, she told me an amazing tip: she suggested I store the pineapple upside down. This helps the sweet juice that has accumulated on the bottom during shipping, flow back to the other end.

I've often wondered why one side of the pineapple is sweeter than the other, and it looks like I finally discovered why! So tell me, did you know this trick already and do you think it works?

• Check out this sneak peek of Spain...on the Road Again. It looks like so much fun! — People
• Bon Appétit has made over their website to feature their top 100 recipes. — The BA Blog
• Update the classic rice krispie treat by using Fruit Cheerios instead of rice cereal. — Erin Cooks
• Love chocolate? Be sure to read these tips for storing your beloved chocolate bars. — Candy Blog
• How well does the pancake puff pan work? — The Kitchn
• Get the 411 on which containers are best for storing food. —Culinate
• Tyler Florence, Curtis Stone, and Ingrid Hoffmann battle to make the best sandwich on Oprah's Sandwich Showdown. Padma provides her two cents and announces the winner. — Oprah

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• Mario Batali now has a regular online column. Does this mean he's become one of those food bloggers that he hates? - Serious Eats
• Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito shares his family recipes. - Secret Sauce
• Learn more about Ani Phyo, a true life raw foodist. - Culinate



• The alstroemeria flower (aka Peruvian lily) will look great as your next floral centerpiece. - CasaSugar
• When ultra cheap comfort food becomes gourmet, the prices go up too. - Will Work For Food
• Don't put away that grill! If you do, you'll miss out on grilled pork tenderloin with herbed cornmeal rub. - Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen
• According to Zagat, London tops the list of most expensive cities to eat in. - Yummr
• Sick of fresh food going bad? Here are some food storage tips. - Fit Sugar
• You've been eating them for years, but what exactly are CornNuts? - Chow