Celery is a much enjoyable green food item popular for its low-calorie vitamin-rich properties. It is a tasty snack and also a staple ingredient for home cooks and chefs. But like all other food items, the taste and benefits of Celery depend on its freshness. So when you go to buy Celery, you should know how long Celery lasts. And decide the quantity to buy accordingly.
Celery shares the same family of Apiaceae with carrots, parsnips, parsley, and celeriac. This magical green food has 94% water, and the rest is vitamins and fibers. It is low in cost and calories and high in vitamin concentration that makes Celery a great snack. Also, it is an easy addition to many foods. You can use it in thousands of dishes to enhance the flavor. Whether you munch its crunchy stalk or add Celery to your chicken soup, the results are always delicious.
This popular food provides a range of health benefits. The fiber present in Celery regulates your digestive and cardiovascular systems. It also contains antioxidants that play an important role in preventing disease and strengthening your immunity system. Celery provides you vitamins A, K, and C. You will also get minerals like potassium and folate when eating Celery. It’s also low in sodium and glycemic index, which positively affects your blood sugar.
Celery is your favorite food to snack out and to make tasty dishes. But nobody likes spoiled food on the table. And you should know how long does Celery lasts in different conditions to serve them fresh. So Read out the article and know everything about proper storage and lifetime of your favorite Celery
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How Long Does Celery Last?
The freshness of Celery depends on what condition you purchase it and how you store it. If you store your Celery properly, it will last more than it is mentioned in the packaging. In all situations, you need to store the Celery in a cold place. Celery will warm up and quickly lose its crispness and crunch if you leave it on the counter.
Celery, to remain fresh, needs to retain its water. If it dries out, the cells will collapse, and the stalks will become limp. The ideal temperature to store Celery is 32 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels between 98 and 100 percent. In this condition, Celery can stay fresh for two to three months. Here is how long does Celery last in different conditions.
#1. How Long Does Celery Last At Room Temperature?
Celery is a root vegetable and has high water content. If you store it properly, it will remain fresh at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the climate of your location. You can store it in a root cellar or a home vegetable cooler. If they tend to dry out, rejuvenate with water.
#2. How Long Does Celery Last In the Refrigerator?
If you store whole fresh Celery properly, it stays good in the fridge for 3 to four 4 weeks. You can follow some rules to enhance the life of Celery. It is good not to cut the celery heads and keep them whole. Then wrap up tightly in aluminum foil and keep them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. If you store it this way, celery stalks can retain their moisture and remain fresh for 3 to 4 weeks.
In a longer-term option, frozen Celery can last for 2 to 3 months. But you can use it only for cooking, and it will become soft after it is thawed.
#3. How Long Does Cooked Celery Last?
If you buy the celery packages available in the market, that will remain good for two to three days in the fridge. But your Home-cooked Celery can last for a week in the refrigerator, depending on the ingredients you will use.
#4. How Long Does Chopped Celery Last?
Once you cut the Celery, its stalks start drying out at a faster rate. So you should keep them in the refrigerator in a sealed container submerged in water. This keeps the Celery hydrated and crisp for 1 to 2 weeks. You can also wrap them with a wet towel to keep them on the shelf for a few days.
How Do You Know Your Celery Has Gone Bad?
You can get the hints from the look and feel if Celery is going bad. Fresh Celery is light green and firm. And a rotten one turns the darker green. Also, the stalks begin to spread out from the bunch as they become soft and bendable. You will also get a rotten smell, and It will look slimy and develop a rubbery feeling.
How To Store Celery To Extend Its Shelf Life?
If you store Celery properly, this will keep the vegetable crisp and prevent wilting. Also, you can enjoy a much better taste when Celery is crunchy and firm. This also ensures longer shelf life for your Celery. Find below the simple tricks!
#1. Store The Celery In A Wrapper
It is the best way to extend the shelf life of Celery. You can wrap it in a damp paper towel and then an aluminum foil. Now store it in the vegetable bin of the refrigerator. You can also store Celery in a sealed plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. It is best to use a plastic container specifically made for Celery.
#2. Store Your Celery In Water
You can use a large glass bowl or a sealed plastic container to store your Celery. It would be good to remove the stakes from the bunch and also cut off the leaves. Then Keep the Celery in the container and fill it with clean or, if possible filtered water. After that, cover the container with a lid or a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. This way, your Celery will stay garden-fresh for several weeks. If you apply this method, even limp stalks will be transformed into crisp by absorbing enough water.
Some More Tips To Enjoy The Benefits Of Celery
- Buy Celery with sturdy, upright stalks. They should not bend but snap easily if you pull them.
- The leaves of the fresh Celery should be crisp and fresh. And its color is light green. You should never buy Celery with yellow or brown patches.
- Chopped Celery loses its nutrients fast. So, you should chop it just before cooking or serving to maintain nutrients.
- It is better to steam Celery instead of frying to retain flavor and almost all of its nutrients.
- If you want to consume the maximum nutritional benefit of Celery, eat fresh Celery within five to seven days.
- The leaves of Celery contain the most nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. But they don’t store well, so eat the leaves within a day or two of purchase.
Conclusion:
Celery is a good option for a snack and a real taste enhancer. But you won’t use the whole bunch in one day because you add Celery to enhance the flavor that requires only one or two ribs. And sometimes you find your stored Celery limp and mushy which disappoints you. This article tells all about how long Celery lasts in different conditions and how to increase its lifetime. Hopefully, it will be helpful for you to store your Celery next time.