How long do apples last unrefrigerated? A Guide on How to Store Apples
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When fall comes around, nothing tastes better than an apple. They are a tasty and healthy snack that will keep you happy and energetic all season. But apples don’t last forever, so you might wonder how long they last once you take them out of the fridge.
This article will answer this question and give helpful tips for storing apples and keeping them fresh for as long as possible. Read on to find out how long do apples last unrefrigerated.
How long do apples last unrefrigerated?
When apples are not in the fridge, they can stay for about five days to two weeks. If you do not put them in the fridge, they will go bad any time after five days. However, several factors may determine how long your apples stay fresh.
- Temperature: If you live in a warmer climate, chances are your apples will go bad faster than in a cooler climate.
- Location stored: Apples behave differently depending on where they are stored. Apples left on the counter last for 5-7 days. In the pantry, the apples may stay fresh for about 3 weeks. Apples have between 4-6 weeks before going bad if stored in the refrigerator. However, when cut, apples stay in the refrigerator for between 3-5 days and in the freezer for about 8 months.
- Form: Is it ripe or not? Ripe apples tend to go bad faster than unripe ones. So, it is advisable to store them separately to prevent an imbalance in ripening.
- Humidity: Some apple varieties have rapid water loss after being picked; however, do better when stored in an environment with low humidity. An example of a low-humidity area is in the drawer of your refrigerator.
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Apples that exhibit signs of expiration should be discarded, as they may contain harmful mold. Apples are particularly susceptible to developing mycotoxins such as patulin, which can be harmful to consume. Patulin, a mycotoxin produced by the Penicillium expansum species, is present in molded apples. When ingested in large quantities, patulin can cause nausea and ulcer bleeding and may raise cancer risk.
How to Keep Apples Fresh?
You can keep fresh apples in a basket or on a wooden fruit tray at room temperature (30 – 40 degrees F with high humidity). Putting them in a paper bag will go bad faster because the bag will trap the moisture and ethylene gas that apples give off. A good way to store apples for a long time is in an apple cellar, especially if you have a lot of apples to store. Apples can be kept in the fridge, but some varieties do better than others.
Some apples, like the Golden Delicious, stay crisper longer when kept in the fridge. Some apples, like the Granny Smith, keep their crispness longer when they are kept at room temperature. If you want apples to last longer in the fridge, put them in a bowl or tray and cover them with a cloth towel or paper towel. If you want to keep them in a bowl, don’t put any water in it because that can cause mold to grow.
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How to store apples that are already ripe.
If you need to store apples that are already fully ripe, you can do so in a few different ways. First, you can put your apples in the fridge. Even though this is how most people store apples, it’s not the best way. When apples are put in the fridge, their taste and feel will change. If you put apples in the fridge, take them out a few hours before you want to eat them so they can get back to room temperature, which is the best temperature for eating apples.
Putting ripe apples in a bowl with water and sugar is another way to store them. The apples will retain their freshness for a longer period of time thanks to the sugar solution, which also inhibits the growth of bacteria. You can also put apples in a cardboard box with holes, as long as they are big enough to let the apples breathe.
How Do You Keep a Large Number of Apples Fresh?
You can preserve apples if you have a lot of them and need to keep them for a long time or if they are ripe, but you don’t have time to eat them all before they go bad. The best way to keep apples for a long time is to can them. Even though it might seem hard, putting apples in jars is easy, and you’ll be glad to have homemade applesauce or apple pie filling on hand.
Another option is freezing the apples instead of putting them in jars. Apple slices, chunks, and pies can all be frozen. Make sure to put them in a container or bag with no holes so they don’t get freezer burn.
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Tips for increasing the shelf life of apples.
To increase the shelf life of apples and other fruits, you must consider practising good storage habits in your home. You will be surprised how long stored fruits like apples last if stored properly. Here are some tips to help you keep your apples as fresh as possible.
- Don’t slice or take a bite of an apple, then leave it on the counter unattended. Leaving an apple in an open space may lead to browning and eventually, molding.
- Store the apples in an airtight bag or individually in plastic bags to prevent the spread of the ethylene gas that leads to the ripening of surrounding apples.
- Avoid washing apples if you are not ready to eat them.
- You can submerge slices or bits of apples in a solution of lemon juice and water. This slows down the natural oxidation process that causes browning.
“Believe it or not, apples (genus Malus) are related to roses.”
― Andy Hamilton
Conclusion.
Having the prestige of storing fresh apples for a long time is not a hard task, as featured in this article. Whether you want to keep them in the fridge for a few days or in canned jars for a few weeks. Remember that canned apples may last up to 18 months when stored properly. You must follow the right procedures to ensure they are stored correctly. Take the apples out of storage when ready to use them, and enjoy!