Broccoli will last twice as long with 10 second task before storing it

Broccoli is one of the most popular vegetables amongst Brits, and for good reason, with it offering delicious meal choices whether it's steamed, fried, boiled or roasted.

Many may have noticed the green veg is prone to spoiling after a few days, even when refrigerated, letting off a terrible odour.

You can thank the sulforaphane compound, also found in Brussels sprouts, for that distinct smell, which also happens to be a powerful antioxidant.

Storing broccoli the right way not only frees up your kitchen from any awful stenches but also allows you to cook tasty meals throughout the week without having to stock up again.

There are several ways to extend the shelf life of your broccoli, with some effective methods allowing it to be kept for up to five days, while others can double this time.

First things first, you need to know what signs to pay attention to when buying your veg, particularly broccoli.

For the longest shelf-life, buy it whole, as when cut, broccoli, and most produce, is exposed to the air, which kicks off the deterioration process.

Opt for a broccoli which has a bright green and firm head, avoid any yellowish discolourations while, according to chef and cookbook author Nathan Lyon, "The cut stem end should be smooth with no cracks and pockmarks."

Once purchased, you want to place the whole broccoli heads in a microperforated plastic bag and then store them in your fridge's crisper drawer to help them last longer.

The crisper drawer provides a more humid environment, which helps prevent broccoli from drying out and wilting.

Similarly, placing the broccoli heads in a container with a bit of water at the bottom, making sure the heads of the florets aren't submerged, and loosely wrapping the container in plastic wrap will prolong shelf-life, too.

Finally, another common mistake made, which reduces the optimal lifespan of broccoli, is washing the veg wholly and later storing unused bits back in the fridge.

This is because excess water jumpstarts decay, so, although washing before use is advised, make sure not to restore any broccoli after it's come into contact with water unless you plan on using it within the next day or so.