And what to do instead.
And how to store fruit correctly isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
There are a variety of issues at playand those can vary from one kitchen to another.
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Here we outline five common fruit storage mistakes and what you should do instead.
You Wash Berries Before Refrigerating Them
It can be tempting to give berries a rinse beforestoring themin the refrigerator.
Plus it can save time later, no?
“All fruits have a natural barrier that allows them to ripen slowly on the plant.
If you rinse them, you take off that protective layer, causing them to break down very quickly.
This is particularly true for berries, which can start breaking down within hours.”
You Keep a Bowl of Bananas with Other Ripe Fruit on Your Counter
We get it.
But what you keep in that fruit bowl matters.
But that practice can backfire.
Bananas release a gas called ethylene that acts as a hormone, inducing ripening in other fruit.
And when your kitchen is warm, it increases ethylene production."
The temperature of your kitchen may feel obvious while you have a roast in the oven.
Plus the lights in your kitchen add additional warmth.
An ice-cold clementine can be a refreshing treat.
In such cases, the refrigerator may be the best option.
You Dump Fresh Fruit into a Bag Before Freezing
Sometimes you just have tofreeze fruit.
Luckily, the solution is actually quite simple!
Then when the fruit is frozen solid, transfer it to afood storage container.
Bottom Line
Fruit is not only delicious but it’s also a collective powerhouse of nutrients.
However, if you don’t store it properly, you may end up wasting more than you eat.
