How to Keep Sliced Fruit Fresh

Keep sliced fruit fresh and prevent it from turning brown.

Fruit should be an essential part of your daily diet. Fruits contain essential nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, fiber and folate that are vital for maintaining your overall health and can also reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. The downside to fruit is that after it's sliced, it will quickly begin to lose its freshness and turn brown as a result of being exposed to oxygen. Keep sliced fruit fresh to preserve its color.

Things You'll Need

• Medium-sized bowl
• Bottled lemon juice
• Plastic food storage bag with zipper closure

Instructions

1. Add 1 tbsp. of bottled lemon juice and 1 cup of water to a medium-sized bowl.

2. Put the sliced fruit in the bowl. Allow to soak for three to five minutes. Ensure that all surfaces of the fruit are covered with the liquid.

3. Drain the liquid from the sliced fruit.

4. Place the sliced fruit inside a plastic food storage bag with a zipper closure. Squeeze the excess air out of the bag and then tightly seal it.

5. Store the sealed bags inside the refrigerator at temperatures between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The sliced fruit will keep for up to three days.

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave sliced fruit sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: How Can I Keep Fruit From Turning Brown?
• Recipe Goldmine: Fruit
• Home Training Tools: How Does Acid Keep Apples Fresh?
• Utah State University: What's the Best Way to Store Fruits and Vegetables?
• The Yummy Life: How to Prepare Apple & Pear Slices From Browning
• United States Department of Agriculture: Why is it Important to Eat Fruit?

Resources

• United States Department of Agriculture: Keeping Freshness in Fresh-Cut Produce