DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Keep Fruits and Vegetables Cold, But No

DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Keep Fruits and Vegetables Cold, But Not Too Cold
By Jill Moss¹

Broadcast: Monday, August 08, 2005

This is Barbara Klein with the VOA Special English Development Report.

Cold storage can keep foods in good condition for months after the growing season. But foods can be damaged if they are kept too cold. So this week we offer some advice about cold storage. It comes from Practical Action, an anti-poverty group in Britain. Practical Action is the new name for the Intermediate² Technology Development Group.

The experts say the best way is to prepare foods for storage while still in the field. For best results, harvest fruits and vegetables at the correct harvesting time. And try not to damage them. Use a sharp knife.

Place the harvested items on a clean surface or directly into storage containers. Do not place them on the ground. Dirt can lead to bugs³ or fungus⁴ growth in cold storage.

Use clean water to remove dirt, and keep the water clean. But it is usually better not to remove outer leaves from fruits and vegetables before storage. Without the leaves, food can become dry.

Fruits and vegetables must be cool from field heat before they are put into storage. If they are placed in cool water, however, it can spread fungus throughout the food. A better idea is to harvest foods either early or late in the day, then leave them to cool naturally.

The experts at Practical Action say all fruits and vegetables have a "critical temperature" for storage. Damage may happen if they get any colder. With potatoes, for example, the cell structure can break down.

Some fruits and vegetables must be stored at zero to four degrees Celsius⁵. Others need four to eight degrees. And still others must be stored above eight degrees.

Wet the fruits and vegetables so they do not become too dry during storage. The best time to do this is before storage. Cover the items in plastic once they reach the correct storage temperature. Most fruits and vegetables need the relative humidity⁶ in storage to be kept between eighty-five and ninety-five percent.

Finally, airflow must not be restricted⁷. Leave space between the food containers and the walls of the storage area. Keep the space clean and, lastly, try not to open the doors too often.

Internet users⁸ can get more information about cold storage at itdg.org. Again, the address is itdg.org.

This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss. I'm Barbara Klein.

 

1 moss   

n.苔，藓，地衣

参考例句：

• Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
• He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。

2 intermediate   

adj.中间的，居间的，中级的；n.中间体，媒介物

参考例句：

• This country is now at an intermediate stage of development.这个国家目前正处于发展的中间阶段。
• Gray is intermediate between black and white.灰色介于黑色和白色之间。

3 bugs   

adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误

参考例句：

• All programs have bugs and need endless refinement. 所有的程序都有漏洞，都需要不断改进。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The sacks of rice were swarming with bugs. 一袋袋的米里长满了虫子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 fungus   

n.真菌，真菌类植物

参考例句：

• Mushrooms are a type of fungus.蘑菇是一种真菌。
• This fungus can just be detected by the unaided eye.这种真菌只用肉眼就能检查出。

5 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

6 humidity   

n.湿度，潮湿，湿气

参考例句：

• The house is not comfortable tonight ,because of the high humidity.由于湿度高，今晚屋子里不舒服。
• It's difficult to work because of the humidity.由于空气潮湿，工作很困难。

7 restricted   

adj.有限的；受约束的

参考例句：

• Speed is restricted to 30 mph in towns. 在城里车速不得超过每小时30英里。
• a restricted range of foods 有限的食物种类

8 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。