Black inside and on the cut - why the cabbage rots during storage

20.10.2018 Cabbage Growing

White cabbage is a storehouse of nutrients, vitamins and trace elements. However, for urban residents remains relevant the question of how to properly store it so that it does not blacken and does not disappear. The best solution is to store the product in the refrigerator or on the balcony. The latter option is not always convenient, but you can store the vegetable in the refrigerator in several ways. The main thing is to know the rules for long-term preservation of the product.

Content

1 Why does cabbage turn black when stored in the refrigerator
2 How to store cabbage in the refrigerator
3 Tips for storing cabbage in the refrigerator
4 Conclusion
5 Reviews

Why does cabbage turn black when stored in the refrigerator

If you do not adhere to the basic rules for storing the product, it eventually loses its nutrients, thereby becoming tasteless and useless. The reason for the appearance of blackness inside the head and on the cut may be not only improper storage conditions. This can also occur when the coxa is affected by various diseases.

Diseases include:

Gray rot. It occurs in the form of a gray coating and an unpleasant smell of mold. If you do not remove the affected areas in a timely manner, then all products will be lost. If you remove the rotting leaves and thoroughly rinse the head of cabbage, then it can still be eaten.
Fusarium wilting. It is characteristic of a plant that grew in dry weather. As a result of the defeat of the vegetable disease, dark points of the vessels will be visible on its section. Such a vegetable is unsuitable for eating.
Alternosis. It is manifested by rotting of the leaves, as a result of which they are easily separated from the heads of cabbage. Leaf decay occurs very quickly.

But the head can also turn black if it is stored incorrectly. This is due to a lack of oxygen and the development of harmful microorganisms. There are several preservation methods that will increase the shelf life of a vegetable crop.

How to store cabbage in the refrigerator

Normal temperature is considered to be from 1 to 5 degrees. Modern refrigerators have a special area where vegetables are stored. If this is not the case, then choose a place on the lower shelf and set the minimum temperature.

Not all heads of cabbage are suitable for conservation. Therefore, before buying a vegetable, it is necessary to make a thorough examination of it. It must meet the following characteristics:

lack of mechanical damage;
the stump is not damaged;
upper leaves tightly attached to the head of cabbage;
they must have a healthy appearance;
dense, not cracking structure.

Important!

If the top sheet is damaged, this will lead to a quick illness of the product. Damage even in the form of small dots is unacceptable. Such leaves must be removed immediately.

There are several ways to store products so that they do not blacken:

in cling film;
in a paper or plastic bag.

For storage, only well-dried heads of cabbage are chosen, so before placing them in the refrigerator, you need to leave them for a couple of days to completely dry. The product must be tightly wrapped with film or paper 2-3 layers. The main condition for wrapping is the lack of air in the space between the vegetable and the film. This will ensure reliable preservation of the vegetable crop for up to one month.

Tips for storing cabbage in the refrigerator

To prevent blackening of the culture, there are other ways to store it:

freezing;
drying.

It can be frozen in several ways: whole heads of cabbage, slices or chopped.Of course, such products for salads will be unsuitable, since loses its original crunch. But for hot dishes this is a great option. Vegetable crops can be stored for up to one year.

If the house has an electric dryer, then the vegetable can be dried. Thus, you can significantly save space. Shredded products are dried for 12 hours at a temperature of 65 degrees.

Such product storage methods will minimize the formation of black spots on a head of cabbage.

Conclusion

The main reason for product blackening is incorrect conditions or non-observance of storage rules for the crop.

The main rule when saving cabbage at home is choosing the right temperature in the refrigerator. The head should be without mechanical damage and with a dense structure without cracked and torn sheets.

Fresh product is stored in several ways:

in general form;
cut into pieces;
chopped.

It’s best to store whole cabbage or sliced into slices in cling film. To do this, it is important to avoid air left between the leaves and the film. Shredded cabbage can be stored in containers or in a plastic bag.

Reviews

Valentine

I keep cabbage in a plastic bag on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. In this form, it does not blacken. True, I try not to keep her for more than a week. With me, for a long time, cabbage becomes a bit sweet. In chopped form I store the vegetable in a container for a maximum of 5 days. This allows you to get a fresh and not spoiled product.

Irina

White cabbage does not like humidity and high or low temperature. I believe that the bottom shelf of the refrigerator is the best place to preserve such a vegetable crop. Moreover, there are special compartments for vegetables. In it, products can be stored for a long time without blackening and souring.