Don't Store Onions and Garlic at Room Temperature in Summer! Nutritionist Reveals 5 Tips to Extend Vegetable Freshness by a Week

As Taiwan enters peak summer, high temperatures across the region are causing vegetables to mold and rot before they can be consumed, while rice stored in bins may quietly develop weevils. According to a report by《女性自身》, Japanese nutrition management specialist Junko Ikegami warns that the commonly understood "room temperature" of around 20°C becomes inadequate when indoor temperatures regularly exceed 30°C. She emphasizes the need to reconsider storage methods for vegetables, rice, onions, and garlic traditionally kept at room temperature. This article compiles expert-recommended summer storage techniques for vegetables and rice to extend freshness and prevent spoilage.

During summer, refrigeration should be the default for all vegetables. "In principle, all vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator," says Ikegami. "When purchasing, buy only what fits in your fridge. If space is limited, keep them in a well-ventilated area at room temperature and consume within one to two days."

Leaving vegetables in hot indoor environments for extended periods increases the risk of softening, rotting, mold, and pest infestation. Minimizing room-temperature storage time is crucial.

Rice should also be refrigerated in summer. Use desiccants or chili peppers to deter pests. Many households buy rice in bulk during sales, but storage methods must adapt to high temperatures. Ikegami recommends, "Store commercially available white rice in the refrigerator during summer. Adding desiccants or chili peppers helps prevent insect infestation, and using specialized rice storage bags is highly recommended."

Particular attention is needed for brown rice, homegrown rice, or rice received as gifts. "These types should be considered strictly off-limits for room temperature storage," she stresses. Brown rice contains more nutrients and oils in its outer layer, making it more prone to spoilage and insect infestation than white rice. Homegrown or gifted rice often lacks professional processing, increasing the risk of pests when stored at room temperature.

If you discover insects, eggs, or strong odors when opening your rice container, stop using it immediately and clean the container and surrounding storage area thoroughly.

Onions and garlic, though typically stored at room temperature, can spoil faster in high heat. Their strong odors, when combined with dark, damp, or poorly ventilated storage conditions, may attract pests like cockroaches once they begin to decay. Ikegami suggests storing onions and garlic in the refrigerator's vegetable compartment during summer and avoiding bulk purchases to reduce spoilage and pest risks.

Wrap leafy greens in damp kitchen paper; use thick plastic bags for daikon radishes. Depending on water content and characteristics, vegetables can be wrapped in kitchen paper, newspaper, plastic wrap, plastic bags, or thicker transparent bags. "Adding an extra step of placing vegetables in a plastic bag helps reduce cold air exposure and moisture loss," she explains. "For high-moisture vegetables like daikon, use thicker plastic bags. For leafy greens, wrapping them in slightly damp kitchen paper helps maintain crispness longer."

Ensure the paper is not overly wet to prevent excess moisture from causing rot.

Store tomatoes and bell peppers stem-side down to reduce pressure on the fruit. Vegetables with stems, such as tomatoes and peppers, should be stored with the stem facing down, which can extend freshness to about one week. Avoid stacking too high or placing heavy items on top, as surface damage accelerates spoilage.

Store vegetables and rice in the vegetable compartment, filling it to about 70% capacity. Ikegami advises that both vegetables and rice should ideally be stored in the refrigerator's vegetable compartment. This section maintains slightly higher temperature and humidity than the main chilling compartment, preventing cold damage to produce. Overfilling raises internal temperature, so aim to fill only about 70% of the compartment's total capacity.