There are fruits with which we do not hesitate for a moment whether to store them inside or outside the refrigerator. Almost no one thinks about leaving red fruits like blueberries, blackberries or raspberries out of the refrigerator; Grapes, cherries or strawberries, pineapples or avocados are also not suitable if they are already very ripe, because this way we will partially slow down the process and they will not spoil so quickly.
Eye! If the avocado in question is still green, it will be better to leave it outside because a temperature below 5ºC can damage it.
We store soft fruits or strawberries in the refrigerator – in your local store or supermarket you will always find them in the cold section – as they are very sensitive and are greatly affected by heat. In the case of grapes, for example, it is also advisable to store them in the refrigerator because they contain a lot of sugar, which quickly turns into gaseous ethanol and accelerates the deterioration process.
It seems that in winter we do not have so many doubts about where and how to store our fruits and in most cases we will go directly to the fruit bowl to leave them on hand and always keep them at room temperature to consume them whenever we want.
As for those that are kept in the refrigerator, it is advisable to take them out a little before consuming them, so that they regain all their flavor, aroma and texture.
It is better to leave some fruits aside, since a sudden change in temperature can also cause alterations in their metabolism and structure, altering their texture, color and even flavor. And even though they remain safe to eat, they are no longer as appetizing.
The dilemma can arise more frequently when the mercury begins to rise, through spring and, of course, during the summer months. When it’s hot, we can wonder if it’s better to leave some fruits in the fruit bowl that we brought from the market, or if we’re lucky, that we just picked from the tree.
Bananas, apples, kiwis and oranges are usually some of the fruits that confuse us the most. We tell you where to save each of them:
Bananas
With few exceptions, bananas should never be stored in the refrigerator. Being a tropical fruit, they should always be at room temperature. We tell you that if your kitchen is very closed and does not have any type of ventilation, it may be useful to keep them in the refrigerator, but in the least cold part and inside a paper bag for them. protect.
It is a fruit that is very sensitive to changes in temperature and cannot stand being exposed to the sun or cold currents for a long time.
We’ll give you a tip: if you pack with movie by making the tip of the cluster transparent, you will slow down its maturation. Another thing you need to know is that the banana continues to ripen once we pick it from the banana tree – it is climacteric – and releases ethylene during this process, so it is best not to mix in fruit bowl with other fruits to avoid cross contamination.
Apples
You’ve probably ever picked up an apple with a beautiful bright red color on the outside, but were disappointed when you took a bite and felt a sandy texture inside. This happens because during the apple ripening process, cellular degradation occurs, which causes its pulp to disintegrate.
Well, it greatly depends on how we store our apples. To keep them fresh and crisp, the best place to store them is in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, between 4 and 6ºC, away from sunlight and with controlled humidity.
Do not store them near other ethylene-producing fruits. Check them frequently to avoid damaging them or storing rotting parts. In winter they can be stored in the fruit basket.
Kiwis
They can be stored for at least two weeks out of the refrigerator in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight.
The kiwi is a very slow-ripening fruit. In other words, at room temperature, they will ripen little by little. If you want to speed up the process, we give you a tip: put them in a bag for a day with, for example, a banana which produces ethylene. Don’t leave it longer, or it will ripen too much, changing its texture and flavor.
Oranges
If you buy them in a box, try to make sure it has holes so they can be ventilated, and move them around so they aren’t always at the bottom, as they will eventually go bad.
Oranges should be stored in a dry, ventilated place. They can be stored out of the refrigerator, checking frequently for any rotting pieces, which could end up contaminating the rest.
One tip is to store them in a large container where they can be spread out rather than piled up, on a bed of paper, cardboard or straw.
Other storage tips:
- Do not wash the fruit before storing it, do it when you are going to eat it and remove any damaged parts.
- Don’t let them soak, put them under the tap and let the water run until you see that they are clean.
- If you’re going to take them with your skin, scrub it well to remove as much residue and contaminants as possible.
- Put the fruit you store in the refrigerator in the least cold drawers. Do this separately from vegetables, so they are not damaged by the ethylene produced by some fruits.
- If you have ever peeled and cut a fruit, its place cannot be other than the refrigerator. The same thing happens with whipped fruit.
- In some cases it may be convenient to freeze certain fruits such as strawberries, berries, mango or ripe bananas to keep them longer and be able to use them in smoothies, as an addition to yogurt or in other desserts homemade.
Either way, remember that it is very important to consume fruits and vegetables daily. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you should eat at least 400 grams, or five servings, of fruits and vegetables per day, not including tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes.
According to the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX), however, per capita consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables decreased in 2023, with 2.7% less if we takes as a reference the previous year for fruit, with a total of 78.5 kilos per person per year.
