Autumn is unofficially ushered in by apples. Whenever the temperature drops, people flock to the orchard to pick crisp, juicy apples straight from the tree. Don’t you wish you could hold onto them just a little bit longer?
We’ll help you learn how and where to store apples so that they last a long time. By doing this, you can enjoy your fall favorites like apple desserts, appetizers, and more well into the winter.
How to Pick the Best Apples
A granny smith is a good apple to choose when you want it to last a long time because it has thicker skin and is more tart. Golden delicious apples have thinner skins and a sweeter taste, so they will ripen and go bad faster in the long run. In general, you should stay away from apples with soft or brown spots at the grocery store or farmer’s market, she says, as they are signs of rotting. Furthermore, the mushy texture won’t taste as good!
The Best Apples to Store
The process of storing apples for winter begins in the grocery store or market. You can store short-term produce of any variety. If you want to store apples into the winter, you’ll find that some types are better than others.
As a general rule, you should seek out thick-skinned, tart varieties. Granny Smith, McIntosh, Fuji, Rome, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Crispin, Gold Rush, Winesap, and Jonathan are among these. Over time, some of these varieties will become even sweeter and more flavorful. As tasty as Golden Delicious may be, it’s not the best for storing due to its thin skin and sweetness.
Although store-bought apples are convenient, they’ve probably been stored for some time before hitting the produce aisle. You’re better off going to the orchard or farmers’ market to get the freshest apples for long-term storage.
As you would with peaches, or any other fruit that bruises easily, handle apples carefully. When storing long-term fruit, only save the best for long-term storage.
We also have compiled a guide that will help you choose apples for applesauce, if you are looking for the best one.
A Guide to Storing Apples
Apples love the cold, unlike many other fruits. A temperature of 30 to 35 degrees F, with 90 percent humidity, is ideal for storing apples. For this reason, they should be stored in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, separate from other produce that may release gases that accelerate ripening. In the refrigerator, apples will last for six to eight weeks.
However, we understand the crisper drawer of your refrigerator is a very valuable space. Even in less than ideal conditions, apples can be stored for months. Here’s how to prepare apples so they can last well into the winter if you want to save space in your refrigerator or have a lot of apples to store.
Here are the things you’ll need:
- Apples
- Newspaper, paper bags, paper towels, or butcher paper
- Boxes, baskets, or crates
- A cool, dark space (like an unheated basement, garage, or closet)
Instructions:
- Choose tart or semi-tart apples with thick skins. Check the apples for bruising, cuts, or any other damage that might prevent them from preserving. You can use apples with imperfections and store the rest.
- Wrap each apple in newspaper to prevent them from touching. You can also use paper bags, paper towels, or butcher paper. Avoid glossy advertisements and prints.
- Sort the apples by variety in a box or boxes of some type. The apples can also be ordered by size, with the smallest at the bottom and the largest at the top. As a result, the larger apples, which ripen faster, will be used first.
- Keep the boxes in a cool place at home. This could be an unheated basement, garage, or even a covered porch (if you live in a moderate climate). You can find a room that stays cooler than others, such as a closet or pantry, if you do not have any of these.
- After you’ve eaten the apples, place them in the fridge in batches – about as many as you’ll need for the week. You should get rid of rotten apples to prevent the damage from spreading to others. Don’t forget to wash them before eating!
The Best Way to Store Cut Apples
Even if you have already cut into your apple but cannot finish it, you can still preserve it for another day or two. Refrigerate in an airtight container after drizzling it with lemon juice to prevent browning.
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