LifestyleFood & DrinkFoodCucumbers will last far longer15:56, 30 Jun 2026Updated 16:02, 30 Jun 2026Cucumbers make a refreshing addition to sandwiches or salads during warmer weather, but they're often thrown away because most people haven't learned the correct storage methods. While it might appear sensible to keep salad items in the fridge, cucumbers are actually quite sensitive to cold temperatures and can spoil quickly.‌When exposed to temperatures below 10C, cucumbers can experience cold damage. This happens when the vegetable begins to break down, becoming bruised, shrivelled, and possibly slimy.‌Thankfully, Marzia, a culinary expert and creator of Little Spice Jar, has shared a straightforward trick to keep cucumbers fresh using nothing more than a metal spoon.‌Marzia explained: "Add [cucumbers] to a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Add a metal spoon to the same container. Snap the lid on the container and place it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks."Although it might sound odd, a metal spoon helps maintain consistent temperatures around cucumbers, allowing them to stay fresh for much longer.‌Simply pop the cucumbers in a container along with a metal spoon. Including a paper towel to soak up excess moisture is also helpful.Place the container on the upper or middle shelf of your fridge, as these sections maintain the warmest temperatures and offer the best conditions to keep cucumbers from spoiling. Steer clear of storing cucumbers at the back of the fridge or close to the freezer vent, as extreme cold can cause chilling damage.Article continues belowAdditionally, make sure cucumbers are kept away from tomatoes, which release ethylene gas that speeds up their deterioration.Ethylene gas is an invisible and odourless gas that helps fruit to ripen and develop flavour. Yet when it builds up too much in an enclosed area, it causes nearby produce to rot.By spending just a couple of minutes storing cucumbers correctly, they should stay perfectly fresh and crisp for up to two weeks longer than normal.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Food