Q. Could you explain how green long-life bags work?

THE QUESTION IN FULL

Q. Could you explain how green long life bags or pods work? And do fruit and vegetables kept in them really have the same nutritional properties as fresh-fresh?

A. As they ripen, fruit and vegetables release a gas called ethylene. This helps to continue the ripening process, but ultimately ends up causing the deterioration of fruit and vegetables. The green bags you describe (and the green absorber fridge unit pictured) work by absorbing ethylene gas, slowing the ripening process and therefore the time it takes them to deteriorate.

All fresh produce declines in nutritional value as it ages, so any product delaying this aging process will also keep the level of vitamins up. So use them and they will help maintain nutrition.

Don't store your mushrooms in a plastic bag in the fridge. Mushrooms are 90 per cent water and will go slimy if stored in plastic bags. They will also absorb odours if stored with other foods that have a strong odour. So I always store your mushrooms in the brown paper bags given out at the produce store.