How to store carrots with mud for a long time

The key to the long storage time of carrots with mud lies in controlling humidity, temperature, and avoiding light. Cold storage, sand storage, cool and ventilated methods, vacuum packaging methods, and cellar storage methods can be used.

1. refrigeration Method

Wrap the carrots with clay in kitchen paper and place them in a fresh-keeping bag. Tighten the bag tightly and place it in the vegetable and fruit compartment of the refrigerator. Soil can reduce water loss, and maintaining a refrigeration temperature of 0-4 degrees Celsius can inhibit bacterial growth, with a shelf life of up to 3-4 weeks. Be careful not to store it together with fruits such as apples and bananas that release a large amount of ethylene.

II. Sand conservation method

Lay 5cm thick wet sand at the bottom of the foam box or wooden box, place carrots with mud vertically, and cover them with sand until they are completely buried. It is advisable to hold the sand tightly to form clumps and release it easily. Store it in a basement or garage at 10-15 degrees Celsius and regularly check the moisture content of the sand. This method can keep it fresh for 2-3 months.

3. Cool and ventilated method

Select unwashed carrots with mud, spread them in bamboo baskets or mesh bags, and place them in a cool and ventilated place. The ambient temperature should be below 18 degrees Celsius, the humidity should be maintained at around 85%, and regular flipping should be done to prevent local decay. This method is suitable for short-term storage for 1-2 weeks, and attention should be paid to moisture prevention during the rainy season.

4. Vacuum packaging method

Carrots with preserved surface soil are sealed with a vacuum machine to isolate oxygen and delay oxidation. After vacuum packaging and refrigeration, it can be stored for more than one month, and frozen storage can last for up to six months. Thoroughly clean the soil before consumption, and frozen carrots are recommended for stewing to maintain their texture.

Fifth, Cellar Storage Method

Dig a 1.5-meter-deep soil cellar at a high altitude, lay straw at the bottom of the cellar to prevent moisture, alternate layer by layer stacking of carrots with mud and fine sand, and cover the top with a 20 centimeter thick soil layer. The cellar temperature is maintained at 4-8 degrees Celsius, with regular ventilation and air exchange, and can be stored for 4-6 months. Pay attention to keeping the humidity inside the cellar below 90%. Regardless of the storage method used, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of carrots and remove individuals that have sprouted, moldy, or softened. Remove damaged carrots before storage to avoid cross contamination. The nutritional value of carrots stored for a long time will gradually decrease. It is recommended to prioritize consuming high-quality individuals with smooth skin and few fibrous roots. In winter, you can try burying some carrots with mud in the soil of flower pots and taking them as needed to keep them fresh. Before cooking, brush the crevices with soft bristles and rinse with running water to reduce pesticide residues.