Store Pineapples Upside Down and Other Amazing Ways to Keep Fruit From Spoiling
While this would be nice, there is no one-size-fits-all storage method that maximizes the freshness of different fruits. Some need to be wrapped in a cocoon of temperate air; others thrive when stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Some care and storage are obvious (do not leave the berries to rot at room temperature), others to a lesser extent. If you ever wondered if bananas can be kept in the refrigerator? or Where should I put this melon? we got you covered.
Apples
Think of apples as lone wolves in the fruit world. Because they release ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening and decomposition, apples should be kept separate from other foods as much as possible. They should especially be kept away from bananas and citrus fruits (which also leak ethylene). While they can be stored at room temperature, they will last the longest – up to four weeks – when stored in their original packaging in your fridge’s fresher drawer.
Berries, cherries and grapes
There is a reason there are holes in the berry containers. Berries are stored for the longest time in the refrigerator in bags or containers with small openings (ventilation holes) that allow moisture to drain away. Water can cause them to rot faster, so be sure to wash a small amount right before eating and not in one go. (Same with cherries and grapes .)
Bananas (and kiwi)
Ever wondered why you often see bananas hanging out at the grocery store? For the same reason apples need to be stored separately: potassium packing dynamos release ethylene gas, which causes them – and everything around them – to ripen faster. In your home, they should be kept away from other fruits — a great option — on a “tree hanger” above the fruit bowl . Dole says you can keep them in the refrigerator , but only after they’re fully ripe (same with kiwi).
Pro tip: Most of the gas comes out of the top of the banana bunch, so wrap the stems in plastic or aluminum foil to slow down browning.
Avocado
Have you ever met an avocado that didn’t turn you on – from a green impenetrable mass today to a purple gruel (presumably) the next day? Then, perhaps, you kept them correctly all this time. Avocados are best stored when they are first ripe on the counter and then moved to the refrigerator, where they can be stored for up to three days. But Love One Today says they need to be firm, not ripe, to be kept cold. Remove them one to two days before meals so they can finish ripening. Once cut, they should be stored with the seed and sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent oxidation.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes should be stored in a cool, dry place with good ventilation and washed immediately before use. Tomatoes last about a week on the counter, and chilled tomatoes last twice as long. (Although some would argue that whole tomatoes should never be refrigerated , as this makes the meat tender and tender.)
Melons and citrus fruits
Whole melons should be stored at room temperature until ripe or cut into slices, whichever comes first. As soon as one of these events occurs, they will immediately go to the refrigerator, preferably in an airtight container.
Once harvested, citrus fruits stop ripening, so always choose the most fragrant and ready-to-eat ones. Store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight, where they are stored for four to seven days.
Peaches, apricots and nectarines
Put all of this on your Don’t Freeze mental list. The cold steals moisture from these succulent treats, dehydrating them and making them tasteless. Store them away from sunlight on the counter where they will last for three to five days.
Mango, plum and pear
Mangoes, plums, and pears should be ripened at room temperature (either in a bowl or in a paper bag if you’re in a hurry) and then transferred to the refrigerator for storage. Peaches and plums can be stored for three to five days at lower temperatures; mango and pear, five to seven.
Pineapple
Did you know that pineapple needs to be stored upside down for a day or two for the sweetness to spread throughout the fruit? We didn’t do that either. Most nutrition experts say this should be done at room temperature before storing ripe fruit in the refrigerator to slow decay.
When in doubt, freeze
If you can’t eat all the fruits before they go bad, consider freezing them. Seed the melons before chopping them into slices, cubes, or balls. Peel the bananas and freeze them whole or in 1/2-inch pieces on parchment paper. Rinse, drain the water and place the berries in one layer on a baking sheet so that they do not stick together. When frozen, transfer them to plastic bags or labeled containers where they can be stored for up to one year.