How to Store Fresh Exotic Produce: A Brisbane Buyer's Guide
Exotic and specialty produce doesn't always follow the same storage rules as everyday supermarket vegetables. Here's a quick reference for getting the most out of what you order from us.
Plantains
Store green plantains at room temperature, away from direct sunlight - never in the fridge, which stops the ripening process. To ripen faster, put them in a paper bag with a ripe apple or banana. Once ripe (yellow or black-spotted), you can refrigerate them for a further 3-4 days, or freeze them (peeled) for long-term storage. Full detail in our plantain ripening guide.
Ginger
Keep fresh ginger in the fridge, ideally in a paper bag or wrapped loosely - it'll keep for a few weeks this way. For longer storage, ginger freezes well whole and can be grated straight from frozen.
Fresh Chillies
Refrigerate fresh chillies in a paper bag or ventilated container. Habaneros and Carolina Reapers keep for about two weeks refrigerated, and freeze well whole for up to 3 months with no need to blanch first - handy for dosing out heat over time. See our Carolina Reaper Guide for more detail.
Fresh Herbs (Curry Leaf, Mint)
Fresh curry leaves and mint keep for about a week refrigerated. For longer storage, curry leaves freeze well as whole sprigs and can be used straight from frozen without thawing.
Okra, Snake Beans & Bitter Melon
These keep best refrigerated in a breathable container (not a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture). Use okra and snake beans within 3-5 days, and bitter melon within about a week, for the best texture.
Duck & Quail Eggs
Store in the fridge like regular eggs. Duck eggs have a thicker shell and slightly longer fridge life than chicken eggs; quail eggs are best used within a couple of weeks.
General Rule of Thumb
Fresh, unprocessed produce always loses quality faster at room temperature in a warm Brisbane kitchen than it does refrigerated - when in doubt, refrigerate in a breathable bag rather than a sealed one, and use fresh items sooner rather than later. Browse our full range on the shop page.