Apples are a popular fruit, but they can be difficult to store. A food storage expert has shared a simple hack to keep apples fresh for months without having to keep them in the fridge
Apples are often delicious when first bought but then can loose their juicy flavour quickly.
Paul Jackson from NRC Business Waste, a food storage expert, has revealed his top tips for keeping apples “fresh for months” without resorting to the fridge, canning or dehydrating. He insists that the “key” to preserving their “crunchiness” lies in selecting the perfect apple.
Paul advises: “The apple must be perfect, which means no bruises, no cuts and no insect damage. Additionally, the stem should remain intact, as a broken or missing stem can lead to faster spoilage.” He also said: “Freshly picked apples from an orchard are ideal since store-bought apples may have been sprayed with chemicals that can affect the ripening process.”
To maintain the fruit’s prime condition, he suggests packing them in dry, aerated materials such as sawdust, grains, heat-dried sand, or even newspaper, which help absorb excess moisture and prevent rot while providing a breathable environment.
Paul adds: “Store the packed apples in a cool, dry place like a pantry or a cellar. It is essential to keep them away from potatoes, as potatoes produce a gas called ethylene that accelerates the ripening process in apples, causing them to spoil faster.” He concludes by saying that a cool environment will slow down the apples’ natural ripening and ageing processes, thereby extending their shelf life.
To further shield them from spoilage, wrap each apple in newspaper to prevent one rotten apple from spoiling the rest. According to the expert, isolating each apple ensures the others remain unaffected, significantly extending their freshness.
Paul added: “Remember, this storage method works best with apples that are freshly picked rather than those that have been stored for some time. Store-bought apples may have already been treated with chemicals or exposed to conditions that affect their ripening, so using fresh apples from an orchard or farmer’s market will yield the best results.”
Similarly, potatoes can be kept for months if stored in similar conditions – a cool, dry location. Store them in a netted bag, wicker basket, or paper bag, but avoid airtight containers at all costs. Exposure to light or moisture can cause rotting, sprouting, and green patches on the skin. Be sure not to eat potatoes that have turned green, as this can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
