How to Keep Fresh Cut Fruit From Turning Brown

Fresh cut fruit is more appetizing when it looks fresh. To keep fresh cut fruit from turning brown, use these simple tips and save money by not wasting food.

Fresh cut fruit turns brown because of an enzyme, polyphenol oxidase (it's also called tyrosinase) that is contained in the fruit's cells. When the cut fruit is exposed to the air, this enzyme reacts with the oxygen in the air. This reaction is called oxidation and causes fresh cut fruit to turn brown.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fruit
• Citrus juice like lemon, orange, or pineapple
• Refrigerator
• Plastic wrap or other cover for containers

1. 
    
   Cut fresh fruit right before serving.

   The first and easiest way to keep fresh cut fruit from turning brown is to cut it immediately before you serve it. Since the fresh fruit won't be exposed to the air for long, it will not turn brown if eaten fairly quickly.
   
   Another benefit to cutting fruit right before eating it is that fewer nutrients are lost if the fresh fruit is not exposed to air for very long.

2. 
    
   Use citrus juice, like orange.

   If you need to cut fresh fruit ahead of time, pour a small amount of citrus juice over the fruit. Lemon juice, orange juice, or pineapple juice all work because of the acidity they contain. Toss the fruit gently to coat the fruit with the citrus juice.

3. 
    
   Cover fresh cut fruit.

   Next, cover the container with the fresh fruit and refrigerate it. You can use a lid or plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the bowl.
   
   Do not leave fresh fruit unrefrigerated for long--no longer than two hours.

4. Another option for keeping fresh cut fruit from turning brown is to use a commercial powdered product such as Ever-Fresh or Fruit-Fresh. These are anti-darkening products made specifically to keep fresh fruit looking fresh.
   
   This type of product may be a good option when traveling or if you need to take fresh fruit to a potluck or other event.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh cut fruit that has turned brown is still generally all right to eat but avoiding brown coloring is optimal.

[PJWilliams]

on 6/30/2009 Good advice. This will help to keep my fruit salads looking pretty.

[psychonurse]

on 6/21/2009 Great info for this time of year. I knew that lemon juice would work, but never used orange or pineapple juice__thanks!

[Gottaloveit]

on 6/9/2009 I say just drop the fruit into the bottom of a cocktail - problem solved! You people eat fresh fruit by itself? What's the point of THAT?

[QueenofMisc]

on 6/6/2009 thanks for the tips! i love fresh fruit.

[dlcass]

on 6/2/2009 Great tips. I use the lemon juice one all the time.