How to Store Fruit So It Lasts As Long As Possible, No Matter What Type
Fruit salad season is upon us, and we couldn’t be more stoked. But the next time you hit the farmers market to stock up, wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly how to store all the delectable berries, citrus and stone fruits you bring home? Read on for a guide to storing every single type of fruit out there, whether you’re partial to avocados, kiwis or bananas. Not only will these tips help your spoils last longer, but you also won’t have to throw away half-eaten produce ever again.
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Apples
How to Store: If you plan on eating the apples in a few days, leave them on the kitchen counter—they'll last for about a week. To keep them fresh for up to a month, stash ’em in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Cover the remaining half (or slices) in tightly pressed plastic wrap and stick the apple back in the fridge. This will help prevent browning, which is caused by oxidation.
Avocados
How to Store: If you bought ripe avocados, pop them in the fridge to keep them from turning mushy and brown in a flash. They’ll keep for about three days. If they’re not ripe yet, store them on the counter in a paper bag until they're soft, which should take about two days.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Brush lemon juice on the uneaten half to prevent it from browning, then press plastic wrap against the surface before putting it in the fridge.
Bananas
How to Store: Bananas can sit on your countertop and should stay fresh for about five days. Unripe bananas can be ripened faster when stored in a paper bag, and even more so if they're stored next to apples or avocados. Ripe bananas will stay fresh longer if stored separately as opposed to in a bunch. If your banana is fully ripe, pause the ripening process by storing it in the fridge.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Ideally, the uneaten half is still in the peel. If it is, just wrap the exposed end with plastic wrap, place the fruit in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge for one to two days.
Blackberries
How to Store: To keep blackberries fresh for as long as possible, pluck the mushy, moldy ones from the carton ASAP. Lay the rest out on a paper towel-lined plate or container in your fridge, where they should keep for up to four days.
Blueberries
How to Store: First, get rid of any overripe or moldy blueberries, since they can spoil the rest of the bunch. Then, store them in their original container inside the fridge, since most berry cartons are equipped with holes for ventilation. They should last a full week.
Cherries
How to Store: Like berries, cherries are best stored between layers of paper towels. The drier you keep them, the longer they'll last, since cherries absorb water when rinsed. If kept dry and cold, they'll last for about a week in the fridge, but you can freeze them for longer.
Grapefruit
How to Store: Just like oranges, grapefruit can rest on your countertop at room temperature for about a week for maximum freshness. Once it's ripe and soft, you can transfer it to the fridge to stop the ripening.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Store leftover halves (or whatever juice you can save) in an airtight plastic container in the fridge. You can also peel the rind and pith from it before storing.
Grapes
How to Store: Stick them in a bowl (or a ventilated bag, like the one they come in) in the fridge and they should stay fresh for up to a week. Don't wash them until you're about to serve them.
Kiwi
How to Store: Kiwis that aren't yet ripe will keep in the crisper drawer of your fridge for up to a whole month. When you're ready to eat them, transfer them to the kitchen counter, where they will ripen in three to five days. You can speed up the process by placing it next to an apple or banana to ripen.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the fridge.
Mangoes
How to Store: Fridge storage is best to keep ripe mangoes fresh for about four days. But if you're working with underripe mango, it should be left on the counter for a few days to soften before being placed in the fridge.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Slice or chop your leftovers, then store them in a plastic bag or container in the fridge.
Melons
How to Store: Whether you're a fan of watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew, the melon should be left on the counter for about two or three days until soft. Once ripe, pop the melon in the fridge and eat it within five days.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Keep any sliced up leftovers in a plastic dish covered with plastic wrap.
Oranges
How to Store: On your countertop, oranges should stay fresh for about a week. Storing them in the fridge instead extends their shelf life to three or four weeks, but note that their insides will dry over time in the cold. Brining them to room temperature before eating them can help restore some of their juiciness.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Wrap any uneaten slices in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Peaches
How to Store: If they’re ripe, pop them in the fridge and they should keep for four to five days. If the peaches aren't ripe yet, keep them on the kitchen counter at room temperature for two to seven days until they're soft. A paper bag can speed the process.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Ideally, you can slice it up and keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Pears
How to Store: Fully ripe pears will keep in the fridge for up to five days. To ripen, they should be moved to the kitchen counter and left to soften for three to ten days.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Just like apples, leftover pear slices should be covered with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge.
Pineapple
How to Store: If it’s whole, keep it on the countertop for a few days to ripen fully. If it’s sliced, you should keep it in the fridge. Either way, pineapple kept in the fridge will last about five days.
If You’ve Eaten Some: Cover it in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the fridge.
Strawberries
How to Store: Just like blueberries, you should get rid of any gross-looking strawberries first, then store the rest in a perforated container (like the one they came in). They'll last on the counter in a single layer for about two days, if you plan on eating them ASAP. You can also keep them for up to a week in the fridge, preferably in a single layer in a sealed container lined with paper towels.
Raspberries
How to Store: To maximize their shelf life, you should remove the bad raspberries from the carton first, then lay them out on a paper towel-lined plate in your fridge. This way, they should keep for three to four days. Be sure they're thoroughly patted dry before being stored.
Tomatoes
How to Store: Store tomatoes in the fridge, but be sure to let them come up to room temperature before eating them. (They can stay fresh for up to a week in the cold, but letting them warm before indulging helps restore their juiciness and flavor.)
If You’ve Eaten Some: It’s best to store them in the fridge with the cut side down on a paper towel inside an airtight container.
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