How to keep seasonal berries and fruits longer. How to keep berries, fruits and vegetables fresh for as long as possible

Storage of berries is a topical issue not only for farmers who grow fruits for sale. At the height of summer, when almost all the bushes and trees in your garden begin to bear fruit, the shelf life of berries and temperature conditions can help you enjoy fresh berries for a very long time.

Let's figure out how to store berries in such a way that they do not lose their taste and nutrients for as long as possible.

To do this, first of all, you need to urgently cool them. The faster you do this, the longer the berries can last. For example, a delay in cooling by 1-1.5 hours leads to the fact that the berries will be stored for 1 or even 2 days less.

What is it connected with? Why such a hurry? After picking the berries, the biochemical processes in them do not stop: they are preparing for further reproduction. Your task is to slow down these processes. Phytopathogenic microflora is suppressed at a temperature close to the freezing point, but not reaching it.

Proper storage of berries involves the following simple rules:

Collect regularly and selectively, avoiding overripe, sorting immediately upon collection;

15-20 minutes after harvest, it is urgent to cool the crop;

You need to pick berries in the morning. At this time, the pulp has the highest density;

Choose the right, "breathable container";

Monitor temperatures.

From the table below you will find out what are the storage conditions for fruits and berries in the refrigerator.

Maximum freezing point- this is the point after which freezing of berries or fruits occurs, accompanied by cell destruction. That is, it is impossible to store the crop below this temperature.

The large range in the shelf life of some berries and fruits is due to the variety of varieties and the degree of maturity.

Humidity during storage of berries and fruits should be 85-90%.

Berry or fruit	Storage temperature of berries and fruits, °С	Shelf life of berries and fruits, °С	Maximum freezing point of berries and fruits, °С
Strawberry	-,1,5 - 0	no more than 1 week	- 0,3
Blackberry	- 2,5 - 0	3 days	- 0,3
Gooseberry	-3 - 0	3-4 weeks	-1,1
plums	- 3 - 0	3-4 weeks	-0,3
Cherry	0	5 days-3 weeks	-1,7
Apricot	0 - +1	1-3 weeks	-1,1
Cherries	+1 - +1,5	4-5 weeks	-1,5
Currant	-1,5 - 0	1-4 weeks	-1

So, the storage of berries at a high level is achieved while maintaining the correct temperature. However, each berry has its own "secret" of storage. Let's talk about the most popular fruits and berries of our gardens in more detail.

Storage of berries: main groups

How to store raspberries and strawberries?

These are the most tender berries. In no case should they be sorted out after collection for the purpose of subsequent storage. After harvesting, raspberries and strawberries need to be cooled immediately.

The shelf life of strawberries without a refrigerator is no more than 24 hours; in the refrigerator while maintaining a temperature of + 3 ° C - 2-3 days; - 0.5°C - up to five days.

The shelf life of raspberries without refrigeration is no more than 8 hours; when cooled to 0-+0.5 ° C, the storage of raspberries increases up to 2-3 days.

How to store cherries?

Cherries keep well in trays and blisters

Storage of cherries largely depends on the degree of maturity and variety. For example, the shelf life of denser cherries (biggaro groups - with a cartilaginous, dense pulp structure) can be extended by lowering the fruit storage temperature to -1.5 ° C. However, for mature berries with a soft pulp structure (guini group), such a low temperature can be fatal. Therefore, it is better to store cherries at an optimum temperature of about 1 ° C.

It is important to know that with a sharp change in temperature - when you take cherries out of the refrigerator into a warm apartment - condensation appears on its surface. Such a berry is no longer subject to further storage, it must either be used immediately or a transitional temperature regime of 8-10 ° C should be organized.

Without a refrigerator, keeping fresh cherries is only three days. In three days, a fourth or fifth of the berries becomes unusable.

How to store plums?

The plum will last longer if the wax coating is not damaged.

For optimal storage, plums must be picked together with the stalk, carefully, without damaging the wax coating. Plums can be stored at 0°C for up to two weeks. However, after that, the temperature should be raised to + 5- + 6 ° C so that the pulp does not turn brown.

Dense plums can be stored in plastic bags. But large, soft fruits for long-term storage are better to shift with a material that can pass air.

How to store blackcurrant?

Currant storage without refrigeration is possible only for three days. Then the berries release juice, grow moldy, and rapidly lose weight. A week later, the loss of organic acids and vitamin C by blackcurrant is accelerated.

You can store currants in plastic bags at a temperature of 0- +2 degrees. So berries can store their beneficial properties for 2 or even 3 months.

Containers for storing berries and fruits: general recommendations

In such baskets, the berries will stay fresh for a long time.

Perfect for storing berries, plastic containers, containers made of thick cardboard or wood with side holes are suitable. The holes will give access for ventilation of the container and proper cooling. The more tender the berry, the smaller the layer can be laid and the smaller the container should be taken.

To store currants, gooseberries or raspberries, you can take veneer baskets. As a rule, up to 2.5 kg of berries are placed in them; strawberries can be stored in small plastic blisters; plums and cherries - in trays.

For large, soft fruits, it is better to take boxes made of corrugated cardboard or wood.

Let's start with a little chemistry lesson. Ethylene is an odorless and colorless gas that helps some fruits ripen. In some fruits there is a lot of it (for example, apples and pears), and in some it is negligible.

• apples,
• apricots,
• avocado,
• bananas,
• melons,
• fig,
• nectarine,
• peaches,
• pears,
• plums,
• tomatoes.

They should not be stored with other fruits and vegetables. Unless you want them to ripen faster.

For example, if you put a banana in a paper bag, it will ripen faster because the ethylene will be trapped in the paper. Or you can put an apple or a pear with a banana.

It is also worth considering the fact that ethylene comes out of the damaged fetus faster. As a result, one cracked apple can make the whole package go bad faster than usual.

What and where to store

After going to the market or to the store, you need to put what you bought in the right place. Otherwise, all efforts and money will be wasted.

Stored in the refrigerator:

• artichokes
• Beet
• Brussels sprouts
• Celery
• Cherry
• Grape
• Green bean
• Lima beans
• leafy vegetables
• Leek
• Spinach
• sprouts
• Zucchini

For refrigeration storage, you have three options: store unpackaged, in a plastic bag, or in a paper bag. The plastic bag keeps moisture inside, so it's best not to overtighten it or poke a few holes in it.

It is advisable not to wash vegetables and fruits before sending them to the refrigerator. If you wash them, dry them well, otherwise mold may appear, and this is not very good for other products and your health.

After maturation are stored:

• Avocado
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• plums

Store in water:

• asparagus
• greenery

You need to store it in the same way as you would store flowers: cut off the tips and put in a glass with a little water.

Store in a paper bag:

• mushrooms

Do not wash and store in a plastic bag:

• Broccoli
• Carrot
• Cauliflower
• Corn
• Cranberry
• green onion
• lettuce
• Peas
• Radish

Do not wash and store, laying out in one layer:

• Blackberry
• Blueberry
• Strawberry
• Raspberry

The listed berries cannot be washed and put a large amount in one tray. The berries are very tender, and their skin is also soft. When washing, you damage them, the juice flows out and they simply turn sour. If you store them in small trays in one layer, they will last much longer.

Stored on the kitchen table:

• Apples
• Bananas
• tomatoes
• Basil
• cucumbers
• eggplant
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• oranges
• Mango
• Papaya
• Pepper
• Persimmon
• A pineapple
• Bananas
• Watermelon
• Garnet

The listed vegetables and fruits should not be placed in direct sunlight or near the stove. From time to time you need to shift them from place to place so that the fetus does not lie on the same side for a long time. This is especially true for tomatoes.

Store in a dark cool place:

• Garlic
• Potato
• Pumpkin
• Leek

No wonder cellars are so popular in the villages. After all, it is in them that not only pickles and jams are stored all winter, but also potatoes, onions, pumpkins and garlic.

Let's start with a little chemistry lesson. Ethylene is an odorless and colorless gas that helps some fruits ripen. In some fruits there is a lot of it (for example, apples and pears), and in some it is negligible.

• apples,
• apricots,
• avocado,
• bananas,
• melons,
• fig,
• nectarine,
• peaches,
• pears,
• plums,
• tomatoes.

They should not be stored with other fruits and vegetables. Unless you want them to ripen faster.

For example, if you put a banana in a paper bag, it will ripen faster because the ethylene will be trapped in the paper. Or you can put an apple or a pear with a banana.

It is also worth considering the fact that ethylene comes out of the damaged fetus faster. As a result, one cracked apple can make the whole package go bad faster than usual.

What and where to store

After going to the market or to the store, you need to put what you bought in the right place. Otherwise, all efforts and money will be wasted.

Stored in the refrigerator:

• artichokes
• Beet
• Brussels sprouts
• Celery
• Cherry
• Grape
• Green bean
• Lima beans
• leafy vegetables
• Leek
• Spinach
• sprouts
• Zucchini

For refrigeration storage, you have three options: store unpackaged, in a plastic bag, or in a paper bag. The plastic bag keeps moisture inside, so it's best not to overtighten it or poke a few holes in it.

It is advisable not to wash vegetables and fruits before sending them to the refrigerator. If you wash them, dry them well, otherwise mold may appear, and this is not very good for other products and your health.

After maturation are stored:

• Avocado
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• plums

Store in water:

• asparagus
• greenery

You need to store it in the same way as you would store flowers: cut off the tips and put in a glass with a little water.

Store in a paper bag:

• mushrooms

Do not wash and store in a plastic bag:

• Broccoli
• Carrot
• Cauliflower
• Corn
• Cranberry
• green onion
• lettuce
• Peas
• Radish

Do not wash and store, laying out in one layer:

• Blackberry
• Blueberry
• Strawberry
• Raspberry

The listed berries cannot be washed and put a large amount in one tray. The berries are very tender, and their skin is also soft. When washing, you damage them, the juice flows out and they simply turn sour. If you store them in small trays in one layer, they will last much longer.

Stored on the kitchen table:

• Apples
• Bananas
• tomatoes
• Basil
• cucumbers
• eggplant
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• oranges
• Mango
• Papaya
• Pepper
• Persimmon
• A pineapple
• Bananas
• Watermelon
• Garnet

The listed vegetables and fruits should not be placed in direct sunlight or near the stove. From time to time you need to shift them from place to place so that the fetus does not lie on the same side for a long time. This is especially true for tomatoes.

Store in a dark cool place:

• Garlic
• Potato
• Pumpkin
• Leek

No wonder cellars are so popular in the villages. After all, it is in them that not only pickles and jams are stored all winter, but also potatoes, onions, pumpkins and garlic.

In the old days, housewives had to invent themselves in order to extend the shelf life of berries and fruits, so they either dried them or lowered them into running water. Much to the happiness of modern women, technology does not stand still and they no longer need to store delicious fruits with such difficulties. For these purposes, every house has a refrigerator.

With it, you can store for a long time not only hard fruits, but also tender and very juicy berries. True, in this case, you need to know little tricks that will help you enjoy pears, apples, bananas and strawberries as long as possible.

How long can a cut watermelon be stored in the refrigerator?

Cut watermelon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

• Most often, we buy watermelons, which later we cannot eat and we have to put them in the refrigerator for storage. Surely everyone who did this noticed that low temperature indicators have a rather negative effect on this large berry. It becomes less tasty and fragrant and, what is the most untidy, begins to flow very strongly.

• Therefore, it will be better if you still buy watermelons that your family can master at a time. But still, if it already happened that you had to put a cut watermelon in the refrigerator, then be sure to cover its cut with cling film and try to eat it within 48 hours.

• After this time, it will begin to lose not only taste properties, but also the beneficial substances that it contains. Watermelon, which has lain in the refrigerator for more than 3 days, in general, is better not to eat. By this time, fermentation processes will begin in its pulp, which can negatively affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

How long can you keep cut melon in the refrigerator?

Rules for storing melons in the refrigerator

A cut melon, like a watermelon, cannot lie in the refrigerator. You can store it there for no more than a day and a half. If she lies in it more long term, then pathogenic bacteria will begin to multiply on its pulp, causing fermentation and decay of berries and fruits.

Such processes can start even earlier if you store the melon at a temperature above +5. If you see that you cannot eat the fruit for one day, then it is better to cut it into portions and freeze. In this form, it will remain tasty and healthy for almost six months.

What fruits can not be stored in the refrigerator?

Tropical fruits should not be refrigerated

• Do not think that the refrigerator can extend the shelf life of absolutely all fruits. Some of them do not tolerate low temperatures very well and it is from its impact that they begin to deteriorate and rot. It is strictly forbidden to put absolutely all tropical fruits and persimmons in the refrigerator. For them, room temperature is more acceptable.

• If you wrap these fruits in several layers of paper and put them on a pantry shelf, they can stay tasty and healthy for at least 7 days. Of course, this does not mean that all these fruits, in general, cannot be put in the refrigerator. If you put them there solely to cool (literally for an hour or two), then this will not affect either their taste or their appearance.

• Yes, and if you still decide to store tropical fruits in the refrigerator, then put unripe vile ones in it. They will release a little less ethylene, which means they can stay normal for 5 to 8 days.

Is it possible to store bananas in the refrigerator and where is the best place to store them so that they do not turn black?

Bananas should not be stored in the refrigerator.

• + 12 is considered the optimal temperature for storing bananas, so if you put them in the refrigerator, they will definitely not like it. Even on a shelf for storing vegetables, the temperature readings will be lower than they need, which means that the fruits will supercool very quickly and begin to lose all their taste.

• But most of all, the low temperature affects the appearance of the banana. Its peel is first covered with black dots, and then, in general, completely blackens. In view of this, if you want these fruits to have and beautiful appearance, and great taste, then find a place for them in the kitchen cabinet or in the pantry.

• Just put them on a large dish, wrap with cling film and put them in a place where there is a minimum of light. If you store bananas this way, they will last 10 to 14 days.

Is it possible and how to store peaches in the refrigerator?

Peaches Storage Tips

• Zero degrees is considered the most ideal temperature for storing peaches, so you can easily extend their shelf life with the help of a refrigerator. But if you want them to remain tasty and fragrant here as long as possible, then be sure to consider the features of this fruit. Since it has a fairly tender peel and juicy pulp, it cannot be piled up.

• So you can crush the lower fruits, and they will very quickly infect whole peaches with pathogenic microflora. If possible, lay them out in one, maximum two rows and be sure to shift each layer with paper or cotton. It also takes into account the fact that this fruit overripes very quickly, so it is absolutely forbidden to lie with fruits that emit ethylene in large quantities (these are apples and pears).

• If you put them very close to each other, then the peaches will overripe in just a day, and then even low temperatures will not help you keep them for even the most minimal time.

How to store lemons in the refrigerator and for how long?

• I want to say right away that it is undesirable to keep lemons in the refrigerator. Low temperature has a detrimental effect on them, and they very quickly begin to deteriorate and rot. But still, in this case, there are little tricks that will help you store this fruit in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 weeks.

• So, if you stop the exposure of the lemon peel to oxygen, you can minimize the effect of cold on the lemon. Just try to surface it vegetable oil and then wrapped in plain paper. So you not only limit the effect of oxygen, but also protect the fruit from condensation, which inevitably appears on all products in the refrigerator.

• Another proven option is to store lemons in a jar of water. But keep in mind that in order for them to remain fresh, the water in the container must be changed at least 2 times a day and be sure to keep it in the green zone of the refrigerator.

How to store cranberries in the refrigerator and for how long

Keeping cranberries fresh

• Cranberries are a rather delicate berry, so you need to store it at low temperatures. If you live in an apartment, then the refrigerator is the ideal storage place. You can keep it here both fresh and frozen. If you like to eat these berries without additional processing, then simply clean them of plant debris, put them in small containers with airtight lids and put them on a shelf for storing vegetables.

• Here the berries will remain edible for 1 to 2 months. If you want to extend their shelf life for another month and a half, then put them in glass jars, fill them with pre-boiled water (completely cooled) and place them in the zero zone of the refrigerator. Well, those who want to cook cranberry dishes until the new harvest can freeze the berries.

• You also need to freeze them in small portions, otherwise you will have to periodically defrost all the berries at once, and this will greatly reduce their shelf life.

How to store apples in the refrigerator and for how long?

Storing apples in the refrigerator

• Apples are among those fruits that, even after picking, continue to intensively release ethylene, which contributes to the rapid ripening of absolutely all fruits. Therefore, if you want to lay fruits for long-term storage, then they must be properly prepared for this. For this, an apple must be kept at a temperature of 25 to 30 degrees for 2 days.

• Under the action of high temperature, almost all ethylene will be released from them and this will stop the maturation process. After this, the apples will need to be cooled, and then laid out in food bags with holes for ventilation. In this form, they will remain tasty and juicy for 1 to 2 months.

• Yes, and remember to store apples together different varieties undesirable. Since some varieties ripen faster than others, this can lead to the fact that some apples will begin to lose their taste, while others will still remain greenish.

How to store raspberries in the refrigerator and for how long?

Raspberry Storage Recommendations

Raspberries can be stored in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. But it will remain fresh and tasty only if you store unripe, and most importantly, intact berries. They are best laid out in small hermetically sealed containers and placed in the zero zone.

In case you want to enjoy the taste of these berries for a longer period, then freeze them or grind them with sugar. But keep in mind that in this case it is extremely important to use only the highest quality berries. If you overlook and at least one spoiled raspberry gets to the raspberry, then in the process of long-term storage, the taste of all other fruits will be quite spoiled.

How to store blueberries in the refrigerator and for how long?

Storing blueberries in jars

Fresh blueberries without any additional processing can quite easily stand in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. At the same time, it will not lose either its excellent taste or useful properties. If you want this berry to lie in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks, then put it in a specially processed container. Take wide-mouth bottles or half-liter jars and heat them well in the oven.

When they are cold, carefully place blueberries in them (no need to tamp them down), close the container with sterile lids and place on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. If you want blueberries to last 5-7 months, then just freeze them. To do this, first pour it in a thin layer on a tray, and then put it in the freezer. When the berries are frozen, put them in a plastic bag, tie it tightly and place it near the rest of the frozen fruits.

Can grapes be stored in the refrigerator and for how long?

Grape storage rules

Grapes, like almost all berries and fruits, do not tolerate high temperatures quite well, so you need to put them in the refrigerator immediately after you enter the house. If you plan to eat it within a day or two, you can simply put it in a clean bowl and place it in the green area of ​​the refrigerator.

If you will be storing it for a month or two, then allocate space for it on the vegetable shelf. Spread it there in one layer, and cover it with a paper towel on top. If possible, then place it as close as possible to the back wall of the refrigerator. Since here the temperature is more suitable for grapes, then here they can remain tasty and fresh for up to 4 months.

Can mangoes be stored in the refrigerator and for how long?

Ways to store mangoes at home

Since the optimum storage temperature for mango is +10, it is undesirable to store it in the refrigerator. Cold will quickly make it less tasty and sour. Therefore, it will be better if you store this fruit at room temperature.

But if you still want to prepare a mango for the future, then cut it into a small cube and freeze it just like the rest of the berries and fruits. This method of storage will extend the shelf life of the fruit by almost six months.

How to store cherries in the refrigerator and for how long?

Fresh-frozen cherry

Fresh cherries can be stored in the refrigerator without compromising its taste for no more than a day. After that, processes inevitably begin to occur in it, which lead to the fact that the fermentation process begins in the pulp. In order for it to remain tasty and healthy all this time, it must be carefully, literally in one layer, laid out on a tray or on a large bowl and placed in the green zone of the refrigerator.

If you bought a lot of cherries, then you have one way out - freezing. It is better to freeze it in portions, after washing and drying it. Frozen cherries can quite easily lie for at least 6 months.

How to store blackberries in the refrigerator and for how long?

Blackberry Storage Recommendations

Blackberries are a very tender berry, so even with a strong desire to store it for a long time, you will not be able to. In the refrigerator, unwashed blackberries can lie for no more than 4 days, so if you want to eat this product throughout the winter, you will have to freeze it.

In this case, the berries will first need to be sorted out, washed, dried, and only then frozen in portions. If there is no room in the freezer, then simply grind the blackberries with sugar, put them in sterile jars and store them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

How to store red and black currants in the refrigerator and for how long?

Red and black currants can be frozen

Freshly picked and, most importantly, unwashed currant berries can be stored in the refrigerator for 10 to 14 days. And if you put them in a glass container, and cover it with a paper napkin on top, you can store fragrant berries for almost a month. True, for this you will have to remove the napkin from the jar once a day and let the fruits breathe a little.

Freezing is suitable for longer storage. If you first freeze the currants in one layer and only then put them in a plastic bag or plastic container, then you will get whole berries that do not stick together, which can be used to make sauces, compotes, jams and delicious toppings for pies.

Can kiwi be stored in the refrigerator and for how long?

It is best to put a greenish fruit in the refrigerator

• A fruit like kiwi does not grow in our country. As a rule, he comes to us from Asian countries, so most often he will get greenish on store shelves. If you plan to store kiwi for some time, then choose elastic, unripe fruits for this. When you bring them home, carefully wrap them in cling film (preferably individually) and put them in a vegetable storage box.

• If you want to speed up the kiwi ripening process, then take a hermetically sealed bag and put an apple or a banana in it along with the kiwi. In a closed space, ethylene gas will quickly accumulate and kiwi will reach the desired condition, literally in one day.

• But keep in mind, no matter what storage method you choose, it is undesirable to keep kiwi in the refrigerator for more than 14 days. After this time, the cold temperature will still take its toll and the fruits will first become very watery, and then begin to rot.

How to store strawberries in the refrigerator and for how long?

Storing strawberries in the refrigerator

Strawberries have one not very good property; without a refrigerator, they deteriorate very quickly and begin to rot. Therefore, if you want to extend the shelf life of this berry, then keep it on the shelf for storing vegetables and fruits. It is necessary to lay it there not washed and possibly in one layer, if you see that you will get 2 or 3 layers of strawberries, then shift each row with paper napkins.

They will protect strawberries from moisture and from ethylene, which is released from the rest of the fruit. In this form, strawberries can lie from 3 to 7 days. For longer storage of fragrant fruits, only freezing is suitable. Before freezing the berries, they must be washed, dried a little, and then laid out in one row in the freezer. After that, you just have to wait until the cold does its job and put the strawberries in plastic containers.

How to store plums in the refrigerator and for how long?

Plum storage rules

Plums, provided that they are unripe and undamaged, can be stored in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 days. All you need to do for this is just lay them out in neat rows. You can place them on any dish convenient for you or use a chicken egg tray to store fruits. Just take the plums and put one by one into special recesses.

Since plums are not very fond of low temperatures, they should be stored in the green zone of the refrigerator. You can also freeze plum fruits if you wish. In this case, you can eat them not for two weeks, but for six months. After defrosting, plums practically do not change their taste and, most interestingly, they keep their original shape perfectly.

How to store pears in the refrigerator and for how long?

Storing Pears in the Refrigerator

Pears, especially winter varieties, keep well enough in the refrigerator. But it is best to keep them in it on a shelf exclusively with fruits and berries. If onions, garlic or beets are very close to them, they will quickly become saturated with foreign odors and their taste will not be very pleasant.

If you want these fruits to lie in the refrigerator for more than 2 months, then wrap each pear individually in paper, and then pack them literally in a kilogram in plastic bags. Make holes in them for ventilation and put them in the green zone of the refrigerator.

How to store gooseberries in the refrigerator and for how long?

Gooseberry storage

Gooseberries, like other berries, are very difficult to store. If you want it to retain all its excellent taste for at least two weeks, then you will have to sort it out as carefully as possible, and then carefully fold it into a cardboard box.

If you don’t have it, then feel free to use a plastic container, just after putting the gooseberries in it, be sure to show a paper napkin on top of it, which will absorb excess moisture.

In addition, this berry can be safely frozen. In this case, you can afford to immediately pack the gooseberries into portions and freeze them in this form. Since these berries have a rather thick peel, they will not stick together even under the influence of low temperatures.

Video: How to freeze cherries, blueberries and other berries. Tricks from the Marmalade Fox

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There is nothing complicated in the proper storage of fruits, the main thing is to follow some basic rules. They are in the following points:

• fruit quality;
• suitable storage space;
• purity;
• separate content.

Quality fruits are one of the most important components of long-term fruit storage. The fruit must be picked by hand and must not be rotten or damaged.

An absolutely suitable place for fruit storage is a well-ventilated, cool, rodent- and insect-proof room. Ideal if it is a cellar, basement or garage.

In addition, humidity is of great importance, which ideally should be around 80%. The most suitable temperature in winter is from 1 to 4°C, in spring and summer it should not exceed 12°C. Fruits should not freeze, because in this case they will lose vitamins, as well as taste and smell.

The cleanliness of the premises is a matter of course. If this is a cellar or basement, then it is advisable to disinfect and whitewash the walls. Wash and dry shelves and containers in which food will be stored.

It is good if the fruit boxes are sealed, but do not forget about their need for regular airing.

Separate storage is very important for some types of fruit, especially apples and pears, as they easily take on other odors. Moreover, apples release ethylene, which leads to accelerated ripening of other fruits. Some fruits, such as bananas, can easily spoil other types of fruits.

Where can you store fresh fruit?

In the dry zone, room temperature reaches about 18-20°C with characteristic low humidity. At home, fruits are most often stored on shelves in kitchen cabinets or in the pantry. This is an ideal place for dried fruits, but fresh fruits will not lie here for a long time.

The cold zone is a room with a temperature of 12°C and slightly high humidity. It could be, for example, a basement. It is great for successfully storing both fruits and vegetables.

If you do not have a basement at home, then the fruits can be stored on the balcony.

The cooled zone is a refrigerator, the temperature in which should be in the range from 0 to 5°C. This is the best place for those fruits that you are going to process into compote or consume within a few days. The coldest storage area for fruits is the freezer. In it, frozen fruits can lie for a very long time, but to the detriment of their beneficial properties.

In the fridge

Today, almost every home has a refrigerator. With the advent of this unit, we have long forgotten that some products can be stored outside the refrigerator. Moreover, some types of fruits categorically do not tolerate cold. For example, citrus fruits, bananas and all tropical fruits cannot be stored in it.

It is best to put fruits there that you did not eat the day before and are going to do it in the near future. It is better to put too ripe fruits in the refrigerator, because only he can save them.

Of the frost-resistant fruits, strawberries can be noted, they are not afraid of frost and therefore the refrigerator will be the most comfortable place to store them. The berry can safely lie there for several days, packed in small baskets. It is best to divide the strawberries into several parts so that they do not spoil.

In addition to strawberries, fruits such as apples, grapes, ripe pears can be stored in the refrigerator. In this case, the lower temperature limit should not be lower than 8 ° C, and the upper one - above 13 ° C. Sweet cherries, cherries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, blueberries and other berries can lie on the topmost shelf for no more than two or three days.

In the kitchen

The most popular fruit today is the apple. It can be seen on the table in almost any home. This fruit is ideally stored on clean wooden shelves so that the fruits do not touch each other. Leave a little space between the containers for air. This will allow the apple to ripen faster.

The storage place should not be heavily ventilated, as the fruit will quickly begin to dry out.

Pears can be stored in the same way as apples. Citrus fruits - lemons, oranges, grapefruits and others stay relatively fresh for a long time if wrapped in newspaper, placed in a box and stored in a cool and dark place.

How to store fruits at home

How to store unripe fruit at home

For many fruit growers and traders, the favorite fruit is often the one that is able to ripen outside of natural conditions without loss of taste and quality. These fruits include apples, bananas and pears. Some fruits can also be ripened at home, but their taste will be significantly different from those fruits that ripen on a tree. This applies to pineapples, apricots, peaches and nectarines.

It is advisable to buy plums exclusively ripe, since, most often, they do not ripen at home and remain unripe.

Unripe peaches should be stored at room temperature for 2 weeks to a month, depending on the degree of ripeness.

How long and at what temperature can exotic fruits be stored

Exotic fruits are usually bought unripe and left to ripen at home. How long it takes the fruit to ripen depends on the conditions under which they will be stored. Their ripening can be accelerated by an apple that releases a special substance.

Simply put an avocado or mango in a paper bag along with an apple and leave it for a few days at room temperature. Pineapple ripens within 2-3 days.

Uneaten fruit must be wrapped in cling film and refrigerated for a maximum of 2 days.

In no case should bananas be stored in the refrigerator; the temperature for their ripening and storage should not be lower than 14 ° C. If the fruit is stored at a low temperature, it will adversely affect its taste and texture. You will recognize a ripe banana by the characteristic brown spots on the peel, which indicates the presence of fructose. Unripe bananas are hard to digest and have a starchy taste.

Dried fruits

If you regularly consume dried fruits, you should know that they have special conditions for proper storage. The most important thing for this product is humidity and heat. Therefore, it is best to store dried fruits in a dry place at a temperature not exceeding 10-12°C.

If you have stocked up on a large amount of drying, then it must be washed and dried again in the oven. This will help to avoid the risk of mold, which mainly affects under-dried fruits. Choose a special container for storing the product. Glass jars or cotton bags are best. Don't forget about expiration dates. Dried fruits cannot be stored for more than a year.

In autumn, it's time to think about how to save fruit and stock up on a dose of vitamins for the winter. The most common ways are:

• Freezing.

This method is widespread not only in our country, but also in the USA, where 20 million families resort to freezing fruits without fear of losing their nutritional value;

• Canning.

This is a convenient and not very complicated process. In order to preserve your favorite fruits with high quality and tasty, you just need to follow certain rules;

• Drying.

Although the fruit loses some of its vitamins, flavor, and color during this process, it is one of the most popular ways to preserve fruit.

• Do not wash fruits before putting them in the refrigerator.
• Remember that not all foods need to be stored in a cold place, so they will stay fresh longer.
• If fruits are wrapped in cling film, their shelf life will increase significantly.
• Healthy fruits such as grapes are best eaten immediately.