How To Properly Store Fruit
Properly storing produce is so important because it not only reduces food waste, but it ultimately saves you money. Here’s how to effectively store 5 common fruits to help them stay fresh for longer:
Bananas
As one of the hardest fruits to keep fresh, it has led to a few too many banana bread recipes in my house. The reason bananas get brown so quickly is because bananas release ethylene gas through their stems causing the fruit to ripen faster. One of the best tricks I’ve learned is to cover the stems. By wrapping the ends of the stems in plastic wrap or foil, you can slow down the ripening process.
Apples
Apples do well on their own but in order to keep them truly fresh for even longer, you should refrigerate them. If you refrigerate them (ideally in a crisper drawer), they can stay fresh for almost two months!
Strawberries
We all know strawberries get moldy quick. The trick is to keep them both cold and try. Do not wash them until right before you plan to eat them. Your best bet is to store strawberries in the fridge in a paper towel-lined bowl to absorb any extra moisture.
Blueberries
Blueberries are also prone to mold so do not wash them until you are about to eat them. Similar to strawberries, store blueberries in a dry container lined with paper towels.
Oranges
Oranges do not ripen any further once they've been picked. If you store at them room temperature and out of direct sunlight they will last a week. If refrigerated, they can last 2-4 weeks.
