The Science of Food Waste: The real reason your food goes bad so quickly

Most people assume food starts “dying” the moment it’s harvested.

But fresh produce is actually still biochemically active long after it’s picked.

Fruits and vegetables continue going through a process called respiration, meaning they’re still essentially breathing - taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. At the same time, they’re also producing ethylene gas as part of the natural ripening process.

You’ve probably seen ethylene in action before. Placing an avocado next to a banana speeds up ripening because bananas release high levels of ethylene gas. Helpful when you want guacamole tonight, less helpful when you’re trying to make your produce last all week.

This is where how you store your food matters.

Airtight containers and plastic wrap can trap excess moisture and ethylene gas around your food. That combination often accelerates spoilage, causing produce to overripen, soften, or mold faster.

You're essentially suffocating your avocados 🥑

This is why beeswax wraps seem like they work some magic.

"It is the secret to eternal bread" - Rachel

Unlike plastic wrap and tupperware, beeswax wraps are breathable. They allow for a gentle exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene gas while still protecting food from drying out too quickly. Instead of trapping everything inside, they create a more balanced environment for fresh food storage.

It’s the perfect sweet spot - The Goldilocks Zone, one might say...

Not too airtight.
Not too exposed.
Just right.

That balance is one of the reasons many people notice foods like herbs, cucumbers, leafy greens, avocados, and cheese staying fresh longer when stored in beeswax wraps.

Ready to let your food breathe?  Shop Beeswax Wraps

Sources
Kader, A.A. (2002). Postharvest Biology and Technology: An Overview. University of California.
https://ucanr.edu/datastoreFiles/234-1450.pdf
Saltveit, M.E. Respiration and Ethylene Production in Fruits and Vegetables. UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center.
http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/files/231548.pdf
ScienceDirect. Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Fresh Produce Respiration.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/modified-atmosphere-packaging
FoodPrint. The Problem of Food Waste.
https://foodprint.org/issues/the-problem-of-food-waste/