Tomatoes and cucumbers make an excellent pair for making tasty salads, but for storage purposes, this pairing might not be ideal. Indeed, keeping them side by side in your pantry or refrigerator may cause a decrease in their freshness and even spoilage of one of the vegetables.



This happens due to the natural chemical substance called ethylene that is released by plants. It appears that tomatoes emit lots of this gas, while cucumbers are very sensitive to its effect. Thus, storing both products near each other leads to the cucumber spoiling more quickly than normal.







Tomatoes release a gas that damages cucumbers — here’s how

Ethylene is a naturally produced gas that plays an important role in the ripening process in fruits, even after being harvested. Tomatoes are known as “climacteric” fruits, which means they continue to release ethylene as they ripen.



In the case of cucumbers, though, things work the other way around. Not only do cucumbers not get any benefit from this process, but they are also highly sensitive to ethylene gas. When cucumbers are put next to tomatoes, they ripen faster than normal.







What happens when you store tomatoes and cucumbers together

These two vegetables react very quickly once put together, with the cucumbers beginning to deteriorate rapidly. The firm and crisp nature of cucumbers will start to disappear slowly, since that is a characteristic of the vegetables. The vegetables also start losing their bright green appearance and turn to an unpleasant yellow colour, and their skin starts to dry out.



With this deterioration process, cucumbers might start giving off a slightly bad smell, and the vegetables might become softer and unfit for eating far more quickly than they usually would.







The best way to store tomatoes and cucumbers separately

Both the tomatoes and cucumbers need to be separated for storage to prolong their freshness.



The tomatoes will need to be stored at room temperature, far from exposure to light. This is because cold temperatures affect the quality of their taste and texture.



On the other hand, cucumbers do not stay fresh for long if not kept in the fridge. They should ideally be covered with a piece of paper towel before storing them in a breathable bag.



Even a small separation between the two can help extend their freshness and reduce food waste.







Why proper storage of fruits and vegetables matters



The proper storage of fruits and vegetables is not only an issue of organisation; it directly affects how long they stay fresh and how good they taste. The most popular cause for early rotting is the pairing of ethylene-producing and ethylene-sensitive foods.



Learning some of the basic principles of food storage, such as the separation of tomatoes and cucumbers, can help in maintaining their quality and extending their shelf life.