How to Store and Keep Water Bamboo Fresh? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Methods
Water bamboo is a relatively common gourd-type vegetable with a sizable market in China, and its planting area is also fairly widespread. However, water bamboo has rather poor storability; if stored improperly, it very easily turns discolored, loses water and becomes hollow, and shows other undesirable conditions. Therefore, the storage and freshness preservation of water bamboo is something we need to pay special attention to after harvest. So today, the editor has brought you storage and freshness preservation methods for water bamboo. Let's take a look below!
1. Heap storage method
After water bamboo planted in autumn enters the harvest period, the temperature has already gradually dropped to around 20 degrees. So when the temperature is suitable, we can simply store it on site for a short time after harvest. First choose a relatively cool place, spread film on the ground, then stack the water bamboo neatly on the film. Control the stacking height at around 50 cm, and after stacking, cover the water bamboo with a layer of rice straw. Then water appropriately to maintain humidity. Stored in a heap this way, it can be kept fresh for about one week. If you trim the base of the water bamboo flat and apply some alum, then it can be stacked for about 12 days; just wash off the alum before transport.
⟦NL>2. Cold storage method
The stem of water bamboo is wrapped by its leaves. During cultivation, when we find that a wasp-waist shape has formed at the water bamboo eye and the stem is thick and strong, harvesting can begin. When harvesting, attention must be paid to the method so that the cold storage method can be used for storage. When harvesting water bamboo, be careful to keep about 2-3 leaf sheaths, and after harvest place it in a 0-degree cold storage. In this way it can be kept fresh for at least about 18 days, and at most up to 60 days. You can also remove the shell after harvest and place it in a plastic bag, and its freshness preservation effect will be even better.
3. Soaking method
After harvesting water bamboo, remove the shell, then place it in a container with clean water. An appropriate amount of ice cubes can be put into the container to lower its temperature, then place some heavy objects on the water bamboo to prevent it from floating. Let the water bamboo sink to the bottom, then during storage change the water frequently to improve water quality and avoid the water quality deteriorating during storage and breeding pathogens, which would cause the water bamboo to become infected with diseases. We can likewise soak it in alum water at a ratio of about 1.5%. However, during soaking we must also change the water frequently, remove foam, add ice, and adjust its storage environment.
4. Transport storage
When transporting water bamboo, it must be transported with the shell on. After reaching the destination, remove the sheath shell of the water bamboo, and then carry out grading. Before packing for transport, pick out the damaged, injured, diseased and pest-affected and other undesirable water bamboo. Then prepare each 20 jin of water bamboo for harvest and market, arrange it neatly, and pack it well in plastic bags. Tie them tightly to improve their firmness, then place them on the transport vehicle. After placing them, cover the bags with a layer of oilcloth to improve their moisture retention. It is best to reach the market within 3 days to avoid the water bamboo deteriorating.
The above is a brief introduction to the storage and freshness preservation methods for water bamboo. The storage and freshness preservation of water bamboo is very important. If stored improperly, it will seriously affect its planting benefits, so everyone must pay close attention! That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.