7 Ways to Keep the Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruits are highly nutritious and beneficial to the body and still, they manage to keep a rather high position in the list of worldwide snack favourites and meal additions defying the myth that sweet foods are not all that great for the body. However, keeping fruits fresh can be a challenge, as they have a limited shelf life due to their natural ripening process. Why don’t you read on and get to learn practical tips on how to extend the longevity of these fruits, ensuring you get to savour the natural goodness for as long as possible?

How To Keep Your Fruits Fresh For Longer Periods

• Understanding Fruit Shelf Life

The first step in the right direction in the journey of learning how to keep your fruits fresh, it’s essential to understand the concept of fruit shelf life. What does this mean? Different fruits, due to their different natures, have varying lifespans after being harvested or purchased. Some fruits, like berries and peaches, have shorter shelf lives and need to be consumed relatively quickly. On the other hand, apples and citrus fruits tend to have a longer shelf life. When you know the average shelf life of your fruits, you’d be at an advantage when it comes to planning your fruit consumption and storage more effectively.

• Optimal Storage Conditions

Different fruits have storage conditions that are best for them. Tropical fruits, for instance, are not big lovers of temperature changes. They start to ripen rapidly and that leads to spoilage. So, avoid any temperature changes when it comes to tropicals. To keep bananas fresh, store them at room temperature until they ripen, and then move them to the refrigerator to extend their life. For papayas and avocados too, the process is not different. Store them at room temperature until they reach the desired level of ripeness, after which they can be placed in the refrigerator for a few more days.

Citrus fruits are sturdier, in the sense that they have a natural protective skin that helps them preserve their freshness. However, to maximize their shelf life, keep oranges and grapefruits in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Don’t leave them exposed to air for extended periods, if you don’t like your fruits dried out and juiceless.

Apples and pears can stay fresh for an extended period if you store them correctly. You can keep them in the refrigerator but you need to keep them away from other fruits. They release a gas called “ethylene”, and the effect of this gas on other fruits is premature ripening. Also, inspect apples and pears for any bruises or blemishes before storing them to prevent the spread of spoilage.

• Sorting and Inspection

To avoid spoilage, it’s advisable to consume the ripest fruits first. But you can’t exactly search through all the oranges you have in store every time you need an orange just because you’re looking for the ripest one, can you? It’s better to keep them sorted according to their ripeness levels in the first place. Also, before you store fruits, it’s advisable to inspect them for any signs of damage or overripeness. Remove any bruised or spoiled fruits from the batch to prevent them from affecting the others. Then, dispose of the overripe ones if they aren’t consumable anymore.

• Gentle Handing

To keep your fresh fruits in the best condition possible, handle them like you would handle an egg. It might not be that apparent but bruising not only affects the fruit’s appearance, it also accelerates the spoilage process. By handling fruits gently, you can minimize bruising and extend their shelf life. Hold them with care, avoid squeezing or dropping them and they’ll thank you by preserving their texture and flavor.

Also, arranging fruits in a single layer rather than just stacking them on top of one another is another difference-making hack. Stacking fruits can put pressure on your fruits, causing bruising and accelerated spoilage. If you don’t have enough space or the fruits are just too much, consider stacking multiple containers or trays instead of the fruits directly to maintain a single-layer arrangement. This technique helps ensure that each fruit receives proper airflow and reduces the risk of damage.

• Separating Ethylene-Producing Fruits

As mentioned earlier on in this article, there are certain fruits that release a natural plant hormone called ethylene gas, which causes rapid and premature ripening in other fruits. If ethylene-producing fruits cause premature ripening in ethylene-sensitive fruits, the simple solution is keeping them away from each other. It’s a no-brainer, really. Ethylene producers include bananas, apples, avocados, tomatoes, etc. Ethylene-sensitive fruits that should be kept away from these producers include berries, grapes, melons, citrus fruits and many others.

• Wash Before Consumption

Before consuming fresh fruits, there is something you should always do; wash them. You don’t want to leave any dirt, pesticides, and bacteria that may be present on the surface. Washing fruits helps you reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and you get to enjoy clean, safe fruits. To wash fruits effectively, rinse them under cool, running water, gently rubbing the surface with your hands or a soft brush. Dry the fruits thoroughly after washing to prevent the growth of mould or decay.

• Freezing for Long-Term Storage

Freezing is one of the best methods for long-term storage of fruits. It preserves both their freshness and nutritional value. Freezing not slows down the ripening process but also helps your fruits maintain their texture and flavour.  However, when you’re freezing your fruits, if you don’t package them properly, they could get freezer burns. So make sure you use airtight containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.

Also, label your packages with the fruit type and date of freezing so you don’t have to open the containers to know what is inside. By the way, some fruits are not recommended for freezing. They tend to become mushy and lose their texture after thawing. Some of them are watermelon, citrus fruits, and cucumbers.

Remember to handle fruits with care, avoiding rough handling or stacking to minimize bruising and damage. All you have to do is follow these tips, and you can fully enjoy the natural flavorss, textures, and nutritional benefits of fresh fruits for longer periods.