Broccoli is one of the most popular vegetables which can be enjoyed as a tasty side or a standalone dish . It can be , whether it's steamed, roasted, , fried or sauteed, but if you buy it fresh it needs to be eaten pretty quickly as it has a relatively short shelf life.

When kept out of the fridge and stored on the kitchen counter, will only last around one to two days before going bad. You'll be able to tell if your broccoli has spoiled just by its appearance as it will start to develop yellow or brown spots on its florets. The texture may also turn slightly soft and mushy, and it can start to give off a strong, unpleasant odor which is a sign it needs to be thrown away. But it's possible to extend the shelf life of broccoli by several days simply by storing it correctly.

Food experts say the vegetable will stay fresh for up to five days if it is stored in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

Crisper drawers provide a more humid environment than the rest of the fridge which helps to keep broccoli hydrated and stops it from wilting, so it stays crisp for much longer.

It's also a good idea to keep broccoli away from fruits when you store it as it is sensitive to ethylene gas, which is emitted by fruits like bananas, apples, nectarines and peaches, so storing it separately can help slow down the rotting process.

Food experts recommend placing broccoli in a loosely closed or perforated plastic bag inside the crisper drawer of your refrigerator as airflow and low moisture are key to keeping it fresh.

Mill Food Recycler explains: "You can store whole or cut heads of broccoli in a semi-perforated plastic bag in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.

"Airflow and low moisture are important to keeping broccoli fresh for as long as possible, so if you can't find a semi-perforated plastic bag, just remember to only partially seal whatever bag you use."

Some experts also suggest wrapping broccoli in damp paper towels before placing it in a loosely sealed plastic bag as this can help maintain moisture without causing too much water to build up, helping to extend its freshness.

But make sure not to use too much water as this can speed up the decay of the vegetable.

Tamalu Farm adds: "Loosely wrap your broccoli in a damp paper towel and place it in a plastic bag in your fridge. This is an environment that is moist and healthy for your broccoli to breathe in.

"As we always say, make sure you don't wash your broccoli before doing this method, as too much moisture may cause mould to grow. Just make sure you do a thorough wash before you use it again."