Are you guilty of buying fresh produce only to have it spoil a few days later? You're not alone: Studies have found that Americans throw away a fourth of all the produce they buy! Here are some tips to help keep your fruits fresh as long as possible.
- Fruits such as avocados, tomatoes, mangoes, melons, apples, and pears will ripen quicker if they’re left sitting out on your countertop.
- Keep your other fruits away from bananas. They emit gases that will speed the ripening of any fruits that are nearby.
- Fruits such as grapes, citrus, and berries should always be refrigerated.
- Refrain from washing berries until you are ready to eat them. You want to store them in a dry and covered container.
- To extend the freshness of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit, store them in your crisper drawer or in a mesh bag in your refrigerator.
- Once fruits are fully ripe, you can refrigerate them to help them last a little longer. However, for the best flavor, you want to return them to room temperature.
- One of the worst things you could do for a fruit is to store it in an airtight bag. The lack of air flow speeds up decay.
The Kitchn's Guide to Storing Fruits and Vegetables [The Kitchn]
Keep Fruits & Vegetables Fresher Longer [American Heart Association]
Spoiled Rotten – How to Store Fruits and Vegetables [Vegetarian Times]
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