2 days Ago By Sophie Law
Spinach is a nutritious leafy green that can be eaten both raw and cooked, delicious in salads, omlettes, pasta and curries. The vegetable often comes in large bags from the supermarket, but but it has a frustrating habit of wilting quickly if not stored properly. Its high water content and delicate leaves make it especially sensitive to moisture and air exposure.
Without the right storage methods, fresh spinach can turn limp and slimy within just a few days. According to one expert, it's possible to keep spinach fresh and crisp for up to two weeks if stored correctly. Robert Schueller from Melissa’s Produce told Martha Stewart website that you should put a piece of paper towel or kitchen towel in the bag alongside the spinach.
Spinach leaves naturally release a bit of moisture over time. If that moisture just sits in the container or bag, it creates a damp environment — perfect for spoilage. Placing a paper towel in the bag will help by absorbing any excess moisture, which is one of the main reasons spinach wilts and gets slimy so quickly.
If properly stored correctly with a paper towel, spinach in bags can last from 10 to 14 days, according to Robert, due to the extra protection against moisture. The expert also recommends to chill spinach and avoid leaving it - or any type of leafy green - at room temperature as it will wilt in less than six hours. Placing heavier items on top of spinach can crush and damage the leaves, so it's recommend to store them in a fridge drawer or safely on the top shelf.
Robert added that if the spinach is pre-washed (labeled "triple-washed" or "ready to eat"), you don't need to wash it again. Just store it properly with a paper towel to keep it fresh. However, if the spinach is fresh, from a market, or your garden and hasn't been washed, you should wash it — but only right before you’re ready to use it.
Washing it too early adds moisture, which makes it wilt and spoil faster. You can tell if spinach has spoiled if the leaves have softened to a point of looking mushy or slimy, says the expert. Fresh spinach also has almost no smell, so if it smells sour or unpleasant, toss it.
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