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Why do the fruits spoil so fast? Understanding the reason behind the ripening of fruit can help you store it the right way. As per the Su Library of Medicine, some fruits, like apples and bananas, release a natural gas called ethylene that speeds up ripening. Proper storage regulates ethylene levels. Temperature also affects ripening. Cold storage in the refrigerator slows down the process, while leaving produce out on the counter makes it happen faster.
As per the National Library of Medicine, washing fruits right after purchase spreads bacteria and causes them to spoil quicker. Wait to rinse until right before eating. The way you store fruits makes a big difference. Whole fruits last longer than chopped ones, which are exposed to more air.
Here are some tips to follow for fruit storage: With these, you'll be able to enjoy fresh, ripe produce without waste. A little knowledge goes a long way towards getting the most out of your grocery budget.
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Keep The Fruits Dry
Fruits can go bad quickly if they get too wet. Before you put fresh fruits away, it's important to dry them off. Take a paper towel or tissue and gently wipe all the fruits. Get rid of any extra drops or wet spots. Wet fruits are more likely to get brown spots or start rotting faster. Drying them off prevents this.
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Wrap Or Seal Fruits
The best way to store them depends on whether they are whole or cut up. Whole fruits should be wrapped in plastic wrap or paper bags, which protects them from getting germs or smells from other foods. But sliced or chopped fruit is best kept in a tightly sealed container so the pieces don't dry out. Make sure to put the container of cut fruit in the freezer so it stays fresh longer.
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Fix The Browning Of Cut Fruits
When fruit is cut, it starts to turn brown quickly. This happens because of oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that happens when the insides of the fruit are exposed to air. It causes the fruit to go bad and lose its fresh, crunchy texture. This can be stopped by squeezing some lemon juice over the cut fruit right away. As per the National Library of Medicine, the juice from lemons contains a substance called ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid blocks the oxidation reaction.
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Temperature Matters
Fruits should be kept at room temperature if possible. Keep them away from sunlight and things that give off heat, like the oven. Some fruits, though, can stay fresher if you put them in the fridge. Berries, grapes, oranges, lemons, and limes will last longer in the fridge. Put them in the drawers in the fridge or in sealed bags or boxes. This stops them from losing water and helps them stay crunchy.
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Freeze Fruits
When you have a lot of fruit that you won't be able to eat before it goes bad, freezing it is a good option. Cut up the fruit into small pieces and spread the pieces out on a baking sheet. Put the baking sheet in the freezer so the fruit pieces freeze individually. Once they're frozen, take the pieces off the baking sheet and put them in a freezer bag or container. This way, the fruit pieces don't all freeze together in a big clump. Frozen fruit can still be used to make smoothies, pies, or other desserts even after it's been frozen and thawed.
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Avoid Storing Fruits Together
Fruits should be stored separately, not all together. Some fruits, like apples, bananas, and avocados, make a gas called ethylene that speeds up ripening. If you mix these fruits with others in the same bag or container, the ethylene will make the other fruits ripen faster. This can cause them to rot and go bad quicker. Keeping fruits separated in different bags or containers prevents this. The fruits that make ethylene won't affect the others, so they'll all stay fresh longer.
