The arrival of monsoons provides relief from the hot sun in the form of cool air; however, they create a conducive atmosphere where excessive moisture may spoil our kitchen ingredients.According to a report by, Namrita Malhotra, Founder & MD, Savore if the food is not stored correctly, increased moisture may slowly spoil the freshness, flavor, and shelf life of the food. While everyone is concerned about keeping fresh vegetables in good condition during monsoon seasons, we should also consider pantry items such as oils, ghee, and honey.Here are some ways to store them so that their quality remains intact throughout the season.
Prevent cold pressed oils from exposure to heat and light
The coldpressed oils are very prone to environmental factors. The exposure of sunlight and heat as well as air will lead to the oxidation process, which causes a gradual degradation of the oil’s freshness, flavor and nutrient value. In the monsoon season, the temperature fluctuations will cause this to occur even faster.In order to ensure good quality, you should store the oils in dark-colored, sealed bottles in a cool place without exposure to sunlight and kitchen stoves or any other source of heat. It would be better to select small bottles as well, because they are used up fast and therefore do not come into contact with air.
Prevent moisture from affecting ghee
Even though ghee comes with an inherent longevity, moisture is perhaps the greatest enemy for ghee. The entry of just a little bit of moisture into the container will surely cause the deterioration of ghee.The best way to keep ghee is in a perfectly dry, clean glass or stainless steel container with a tight lid. Also, make sure you always use a perfectly dry spoon whenever you are dispensing ghee, and avoid keeping the lid open for a long period of time to ensure that ghee retains its aroma and flavor even during the rainy season.
Keep honey in a dry place
Being moisture-free, honey is one of the most stable food products. Nevertheless, that does not mean honey cannot be affected by humidity.For ensuring that the honey retains its freshness and quality, make sure to always close the lid tightly after using it, and keep it stored away from those places where there is often a build-up of steam, such as the kitchen stove or the sink.
Habits that will make all the difference
Storage of food is another aspect which is part of selecting quality ingredients. Something as simple as always closing your jars after using them, using dry utensils, and storing your pantry items in a dry place will help increase their longevity during the rainy season. A little bit of care will go a long way in helping you retain the quality of your oil, ghee and honey for the duration of the monsoons.
