Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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My dried fruit is dying!!! (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by TheActualFridge
so I work at a "we proudly serve" sb location on a college campus, all the students are off campus because of summer, we're staying open 4 days a week for the staff that are still here. Im in AZ...it's 115 most days right now and I've started to notice that my strawberries, dragon fruit and even my vanilla bean powder has started to either clump or shrivel up! I think it's cause it's so hot cause it only just started doing this, does anyone know what I can do to stop this? I can't keep throwing them away, they're barley lasting a week 😕
*edit* So I guess I should have elaborated, we're open 4 days a week and by the end of the second day beginning of the third day is when it starts to clump, so I have to throw it out but then I have to open up another one on the 4th day that I end up having to throw out and I'm just wasting too much and not using enough. I don't keep it open over the weekend I'm not holding it longer than a week ✋
*edit* So I guess I should have elaborated, we're open 4 days a week and by the end of the second day beginning of the third day is when it starts to clump, so I have to throw it out but then I have to open up another one on the 4th day that I end up having to throw out and I'm just wasting too much and not using enough. I don't keep it open over the weekend I'm not holding it longer than a week ✋
icelessTrash 8 points 2y ago
The dried fruit only lasts 5 days after opening, it expires. Vanilla Bean powder lasts one week. I've seen that fruit clumps up past it's date, even in non extreme temps. You have to change it but good idea other commenter had was keep it refrigerated, at least over night, to keep it in better shape until it expires.
yyz_barista 7 points 2y ago
Can you try wrapping them with cling film / plastic wrap as part of your closing procedures?
Also, clumping tends to occur with humidity or the fruit getting wet, so not sure if you're running the AC on the days your store is closed?
Finally, why not just dump the fruit before you close for the 3 days a week (assuming you're open Mon-Thurs)? I'm not sure if your volume would support that, but it shouldn't be too much waste, as long as you don't open a bunch of packages right before you close.
(For vanilla bean, you could also only pour part of the bag out, and then reseal it well, folding the bag over a bunch of times and then sealing it with a label or similar thing. It doesn't work as well with the fruit inclusions though)
Also, clumping tends to occur with humidity or the fruit getting wet, so not sure if you're running the AC on the days your store is closed?
Finally, why not just dump the fruit before you close for the 3 days a week (assuming you're open Mon-Thurs)? I'm not sure if your volume would support that, but it shouldn't be too much waste, as long as you don't open a bunch of packages right before you close.
(For vanilla bean, you could also only pour part of the bag out, and then reseal it well, folding the bag over a bunch of times and then sealing it with a label or similar thing. It doesn't work as well with the fruit inclusions though)
Hoax_Pudding_Cup 6 points 2y ago
It might be a huge pain in the rear but try keeping them in a fridge while they're not being used. We have our refreshers right next to our cold.brew so we have a "cold brew" fridge for kegs that store extra refresher items. Hope this helps, and for the love of god stay hydrated and stay safe down there!
yyz_barista 5 points 2y ago
Wouldn't putting the inclusions in the fridge induce moisture into the container since the fridge air is generally pretty moist due to the cooler temperatures?
clumsycalico 1 points 2y ago
You might be right, food science wise. This is at least true for all regular food, so I guess for the dried berries too. OP could use something airtight like putting a piece of plastic wrap under the regular lid and then it would probably work.
starlightluna05 2 points 2y ago
the kiwi starfruit inclusions have been looking brown at my store! :(
clumsycalico 2 points 2y ago
If it makes you feel any better, ours are doing the same thing with less heat than you have and being used up multiple times a day. Actually, just kidding, that kind of makes me feel worse lol I’ve been thinking it was gross all week
hecaete47 1 points 2y ago
You’re open 4 days a week and the expiration date is 5 days for fruit. I’d say to get in a rhythm of prepping a new container on the first day of opening and tossing it out before you’re closed for 3 days (so closing shift on the 4th day).
Nemmin602 1 points 2y ago
When it’s super humid, we put it in the fridge. It helps a lot!
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