As a rule, when we bring fruit home, we do one of two things: we put everything in a basket on the countertop or throw in the refrigerator. The chance to make a mistake is not big, because almost all fruits can be stored in the refrigerator, and almost all fruits can last at least a couple of days at room temperature. But if you want to get the maximum pleasure and benefit from the gifts of nature and save the budget, it’s worth a little understanding of this issue.

 

In this article, you will learn the general principles of storing bananas, apples, pears, lemons, tangerines, and other fruits, and you will find a memo on the terms and conditions of storage of different types of fruits and berries.

 

8 general principles on how to store fruits at home

 

Principle 1. Do not store fruits and vegetables together. Fruits that emit large amounts of ethylene (the ripening agent) can accelerate the ripening of nearby vegetables and spoil them.

 

Principle 2. Immediately throw away moldy fruits. Before storing the fruit in a refrigerator, cupboard or tabletop vase, be sure to remove any spoiled fruit to prevent the spread of mold. Try to eat overripe fruits first.

 

Principle 3. Store unripe fruits at room temperature, preferably in a paper bag. This is especially true for apricots, peaches, pears, plums, persimmons, avocados, kiwis and mangoes. The bag will become a trap for ethylene – a gas that is secreted by the fruits and acts as a maturing agent. Want to speed up the process even further? Put the apple in the bag. Ripe and, especially, overripe fruits should be stored in the refrigerator.

 

Principle 4. Store fruits on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or in a special compartment for fruits. The exception is fruits that need to be stored at room temperature (whole melons, bananas, citruses, unripe fruits), as well as apples – they should be stored on the top shelf of the refrigerator, separate from other fruits.

 

Principle 5. Do not store fruit in a jam-packed container in the refrigerator. The air around the fruits should circulate freely.

 

Principle 6. Eat cut fruits as quickly as possible and do not store them for more than two days in the refrigerator. This is especially true for watermelons, melons, and pumpkins, as well as persimmons. Chopped fruits cannot be stored at room temperature – they will quickly deteriorate and wrinkle and will attract midges and flies.

 

Principle 7. In the refrigerator, store unwashed fruits in their original packaging or in an empty bag. Fruits stored at room temperature should be removed from the packaging immediately.

 

Principle 8. Always have a fruit bowl on a table or countertop. It is better to choose a place that is always in sight and easily accessible. So you and your household will not forget about these delicious vitamins, and they are a great decoration for the interior.

 

Where and for how long to store fruits and berries

Some fruits need to be stored at low temperatures, and some, on the contrary, like warmth. This memo will help you avoid mistakes. Keep in mind that the recommendations below assume that your products are ripe and ready to be eaten.

 

Bananas

For bananas to not go black, they must be stored in a cabinet or on a table, but not in the refrigerator.

Shelf life at room temperature: 5 days.

Ideal location: in a fruit bowl on a table, in a cabinet or in a cool and dry place.

Hint: ripe bananas can be frozen for baking or consumption as a natural “ice cream” (the skins will turn black, but the pulp will be good).

 

Apples

These are the most convenient fruits for home storage, as they can be stored both in the refrigerator, in a cupboard or on a table longer than all other fruits.

Shelf life: up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Location: it is best to store apples on the upper shelves, and most importantly, separately from other fruits.

 

Melon, Watermelon, Pumpkin

During prolonged storage in the refrigerator, they lose their taste and aroma.

Location: in the refrigerator in the fruit compartment or in the cupboard / on the table (except for overripe and damaged fruits).

Shelf life: up to 5-7 days in the whole form, up to 2-3 days in cut form.

 

Apricots

Location: unripe apricots should be stored at room temperature, preferably in paper bags.

Shelf life in the refrigerator: 5 days.

 

Citruses

Citruses are those fruits that are best stored in a bowl on a table, in a cardboard box in a cabinet or other dry and preferably cool place, but not in the refrigerator. Therefore, buying them can only be done a week in advance, but not more. However, you can also store them in the refrigerator for quite some time (up to 2-3 weeks), though in a week or ten days the fruits will begin to lose their aroma, juiciness, and taste. Lemons and limes really easily absorb extraneous odors, just keep that in mind.

Location: in the cabinet, on the table. Or on the lower shelf or in a special compartment for fruits in the refrigerator.

Shelf life: on the table – from 3 to 7 days, in the refrigerator: oranges – up to 2 weeks, lemons, limes and grapefruits – up to 3 weeks, tangerines – up to 1 week.

 

Pears

Do not be upset if the pears on the store counter are green and hard. The fact is that these fruits are harvested unripe because on the tree they begin to rot even before ripening. It is totally normal to buy pears a week in advance when they are unripe, and waiting for them to ripen at home. When buying soft and juicy fruits, try to eat them as quickly as possible.

Location: in the cabinet, on the table. To accelerate the ripening of pears, you need to lay them on paper bags and keep them at room temperature. Ripe and overripe pears can be stored in the refrigerator for one or two days (on the bottom shelf or in a special compartment for fruits).

Duration: 5 days. Asian pears are stored longer – up to 7 days at room temperature and several weeks in the refrigerator.

 

Grapes

Location: The grapes are best stored in a paper bag (or perforated plastic packaging) in the refrigerator.

Shelf life: 1 to 2 weeks. But it is better to eat grapes for 3 days, later it will start to frown.

 

Kiwi

Location: ripe fruits – in the refrigerator, unripe – at room temperature.

Duration: 4 days on the table, and up to several weeks in the refrigerator.

 

Mango

Location: fridge.

Duration: 4 days.

 

Peaches and nectarines

Location: fridge.

Duration: 5 days.

 

Pineapple

Location: full, fresh – at room temperature on a table or in a cabinet; sliced ​​- in the refrigerator.

Duration: 5 days in full form at room temperature and 3 days in the refrigerator (in a cut form).

 

Plum

Location: refrigerator; unripe plums are stored at room temperature;

Duration: 5 days.

 

Persimmon

Location: unripe fruits are stored at room temperature, waiting for ripening, then eaten as quickly as possible.

Duration: after ripening – 2-3 days.

 

Pomegranate

Location: fridge.

Shelf life: the whole pomegranate can be stored up to 3 weeks, pomegranate seeds are stored for 3 days.

 

Blackberry

Location: in the refrigerator, laid out in a single layer on a paper towel.

Shelf life: 2 days

 

Blueberry

Location: in the refrigerator.

Shelf life: 1 week.

 

Cherries

Location: in the refrigerator in an open bag or bowl.

Duration: 3 days.

 

Cranberry

Location: fridge.

Duration: 1 month.

 

Raspberries

Location: in the refrigerator, laid out in a single layer on a paper towel.

Shelf life: 3 days

 

Strawberries

Location: in the refrigerator.

Shelf life: 3 days.