Japanese Vegetable Expert's Trick: Keep Cabbage Fresh for Weeks in Just 10 Seconds
A Japanese vegetable expert reveals that inserting a fork into cabbage's core before refrigerating keeps it fresh for weeks, while proper wrapping with newspaper and a loosely sealed plastic bag prevents wilting and rot.
Many households have experienced the problem of buying cabbage only to have it wilt, bruise, or rot quickly when stored improperly. Recently, a Japanese vegetable shop expert unveiled a "10-second freshness preservation technique" that effectively extends cabbage storage life by focusing on the cabbage core.
Aoba Tetsu, a Japanese vegetable and fruit expert with over 15 years of experience working in produce shops, revealed through a Yahoo Japan column that the simplest method uses a fork to maintain vegetable freshness, available at shops for 100 yen. Simply insert the fork directly into the cabbage core before refrigerating—taking less than 10 seconds—which noticeably extends the cabbage's freshness. If you don't have a fork, you can substitute 2-3 toothpicks.
She also recommends not placing cabbage directly in the refrigerator, as cold air will dry out the outer leaves. However, wrapping it too tightly in plastic creates moisture accumulation that causes rapid spoilage.
The proper method is: after inserting the fork into the cabbage core, wrap the head with newspaper or paper towels, place it loosely in a plastic bag without sealing it tightly, then refrigerate.
For longer storage spanning weeks, the expert reveals that Japanese farmers prefer removing the cabbage core and replacing it with paper towels dampened with water, then wrapping with newspaper and a plastic bag while changing the towels every 2-3 days. While this method requires more effort, it's ideal for those wanting extended cabbage storage while maintaining freshness.
Source: ettoday Compiled by Sanook Online News Team
