In the fresh produce world, it’s hard to beat the shelf life of apples, however proper storage is key. The best keeping apples today are Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Fuji, Gala, and Golden Delicious. Here, our best tips for storing apples:
- Store unwashed apples in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
- For best results, keep your refrigerator at 33 to 35 degrees with some humidity to reduce shriveling.
- Sort through your apples often and remove any damaged ones to use for juice or sauce. One bad apple can spoil the bunch!
- Don’t store apples with strong-smelling foods like onions and garlic. Apples can easily take on the odor of those foods.
- You’ll also want to keep apples away from potatoes as they release a gas as they age which causes apples to spoil.
- To store an entire box of apples, consider a second refrigerator or keep the box in a cool, dark place. Wrapping each apple in paper will provide additional protection and delay ripening.
Another important aspect is how to keep your apples from browning once sliced. Here are a few favorite methods to try:
- Salt Water: Mix 1/8 teaspoon salt in 1 cup cold water. Add apples slices and soak for 5 minutes. Rinse. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- Honey: Mix ½ tablespoon honey in 1 cup water. Add apple slices and soak for 5 minutes. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- Fit Organic Fruit and Vegetable Wash: Spray whole apple with Fit Organic Fruit and Vegetable Wash and wipe clean. Slice apple and spray directly onto both cut sides of apple slices. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- Ball® Fruit-Fresh® (sprinkled): Sprinkle Fruit-Fresh on cut sides of apple slices. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- Ball® Fruit-Fresh® (soaked): Mix 1 teaspoon Fruit-Fresh in 1 cup water. Add apple slices and soak for 5 minutes. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- Covered in water: Fill a small plastic storage container with cold water. Add apple slices and cover. Store in refrigerator.
- Pineapple juice:Mix 1 tablespoon pineapple juice in 1 cup water. Add apple slices and soak for 5 minutes. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- True Lemon: Sprinkle True Lemon on cut sides of apple slices. Store in plastic baggie in the refrigerator.
- Orange Juice:Brush cut sides of apple slices with orange juice. Store in plastic baggie in refrigerator.
- Rubber Band:Slice whole apple into segments then put pieces back together so all sides are touching. Secure with a rubber band to keep tight.