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Fruit storage: everything you need to know
Fruit, that flavorful gift from nature, stays fresh and tasty the longest when you store it the right way. But, how can you store fruit longer? In this article, you'll discover the secrets of fruit preservation, from choosing the ideal storage location in your refrigerator to smart freezing of your favorite fruits.
Storing fruit in the fridge
Many fruits stay fresh the longest in the refrigerator with a temperature between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 70% to 90%. The vegetable drawer in the refrigerator is the most suitable place for this, because the temperature there is slightly higher than anywhere else in the fridge. This is also useful for keeping fruit flies at bay. To guard the quality of your fruit, it is important that you only store fruit (and vegetables) in the vegetable drawer.
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Which fruits can you keep in the refrigerator?
The fruits you keep in the refrigerator:
Apples and pears
Kiwis
Plums & nectarines
Grapes
Strawberries
Raspberries
Berries
Cherries
Apricots
Is your fruit ripe? If so, store it in the refrigerator, as this will reduce the ripening process. Outside the refrigerator, the ripening process continues.
What fruits should you not keep in the refrigerator?
Tropical fruits such as bananas, melons, avocados, mangoes and citrus fruits, thrive best in warm climates and therefore deserve a place on the fruit bowl. The same goes for fruiting vegetables, including tomatoes, which do not thrive in the cold. As soon as the thermometer dips below 7 degrees Celsius, they risk cold spoilage. The cells become damaged, lose moisture and are more likely to deteriorate, which also affects their flavor. The same goes for cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and eggplants, so you should store them outside the refrigerator.
Freezing fruit
Many fruits can be frozen, making them easily integrated into a wide range of dishes. One convenient method is to use ice cube trays to freeze freshly squeezed juice or small pieces of fruit mixed with water. You then add these ice cubes to cocktails, mocktails or smoothies to create a refreshing touch and a playful effect. Add a frozen slice of fruit, and you have a drink. It looks cozier right away.
Plus, sealable containers and freezer bags with a convenient zip lock closure are great for storing fruit smoothies. Try this with apples, pears, mangoes and plums. The fruit purée from these fruits serves as a tasty base for making compotes or chutneys, or even as a nutritious snack for little ones.
Above all, what not to do?
Above all, don't forget to unpack your fruit after you buy it. Fruit needs to air and lose its condensation. When you leave fruit wrapped, you create a warm and moist environment in which fruit will rot quickly.
The ripening of fruits such as bananas, apples, pears, peaches and tomatoes is accelerated by the emission of ethylene gas during the ripening process. Therefore, when storing in the fruit bowl, it is important to consider which fruits you combine on the fruit bowl. This applies to apples, apricots, bananas, kiwis, mangoes, melons, nectarines, papayas, passion fruit, pears and plums.
Many people squeeze fruit when they want to check if the fruit is ripe. Although smelling sometimes tells you enough too, feeling is not bad for the fruit. Just make sure you don't do this with your bare hands and make sure you don't squeeze too hard. This knocks out vulnerable spots on the fruit and speeds up the ripening process. Preferably do this with a napkin between them or a glove.
How do I store a banana?
Do not put bananas in the refrigerator. Bananas do not like the cold, they do not ripen further and the skin quickly turns black. So keep your bananas outside the refrigerator.
Can I freeze an avocado?
Want to keep a ripe avocado longer? Store your avocado in the freezer for up to 4 months. Drizzle some lemon or lime juice over the avocado before you freeze it and you'll prevent discoloration when you thaw the avocado.
Can I freeze plums?
Want to keep your ripe plums longer? Freeze them and your plums will keep for up to 12 months. Put your plums in a tightly sealed plastic bag or container in the freezer.
How do I store mango?
A ready-to-eat mango will stay good for several days if you keep it refrigerated. Freeze mango if you want to keep it longer. Remove the skin and stone and cut it into pieces before putting the mango in the freezer.
How can I store grapes?
Grapes store in a cool place for two to four days. You extend this storage time to a week when you store your grapes in the refrigerator. Grapes can also be stored in the freezer. Put them in a sealed bag or container and they will keep for up to 10 months.
Can I store kiwi?
Kiwis stay good for up to two weeks when stored in the refrigerator. Want a fresh kiwi on hand all year round? Then store kiwis in the freezer.
How should I store apples?
Apples stay good outside the refrigerator for up to a week. Do you store your apples in the refrigerator? Then they will stay good for even two to four weeks.
Fruit stays fresh the longest in the refrigerator at 2-4 degrees Celsius and 70-90% humidity, especially in the vegetable drawer. Suitable fruits to keep in the refrigerator are apples, pears, kiwis, plums, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, berries, cherries and apricots. Ripe fruit should be refrigerated to slow down the ripening process. Tropical fruits, such as bananas and melons, do not belong in the refrigerator. Fruit can also be frozen in ice cube trays or sealable containers for later use. Make sure fruit can air out, avoid ethylene-gas interactions, and don't squeeze too hard to avoid damage. Bananas should be stored outside the refrigerator.
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