How to Store Fruit in a Refrigerator

Maximize grocery dollars and flavor by storing fruit properly. Store fruit in a refrigerator properly and you can extend its shelf life for a minimum of two days. Depending on the fruit, refrigeration may not be necessary either. Read on to learn some tips on washing fruits to maintain vitamin content and save on your produce budget as well as your health.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic bags

1. Determine ripeness. Fruit should already be ripe before placing in the refrigerator since lower temperatures slow down ripening. Allow to ripen at room temperature for a few days before placing in the refrigerator.

2. Remove spoiled fruit. Packaged strawberries can be crushed easily and a few can turn rotten quickly. Discard any rotten fruit before placing in the refrigerator.

3. Bag up fruit. Place ripe, unwashed grapes, peaches, apricots, pears, apples and all berries separately in plastic bags and put in the crisper drawer.

4. Leave specific fruit at room temperature. Refrigeration can ruin the flavor of tomatoes, most citrus fruits and melons, as well as shorten their shelf life to two days. Store away from sunlight at a cool temperature and eat when fully ripe. Citrus fruits can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks.

5. Time it. Apples can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month while berries only about three days. Peaches, pears, nectarines, grapes and most exotic fruits can last up to five days in the refrigerator. Add some time to the shelf life by cutting up ripe melon and storing in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.

6. Throw it out. Discard any rotten fruit immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash fruit just before use, as water enables spoilage and mold. If fruit is excessively dirty, wash and dry thoroughly before storing in refrigerator.
• Splash some lemon juice on apples to prevent browning. Use within 24 hours as vitamin content erodes over time.
• Write dates on the plastic bags so there's no guessing if the fruit is spoiled.
• Do not put bananas or pomegranates in the refrigerator because their skin will turn brown.

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