We wait all year until fruit season finally arrives but when you head out to the farmers market to stockpile some fruit, you might be wondering how to store it properly. The following guide will help you to properly take care of every single type of fruit that you bring home.
Apples
How to Store: Put them in the refrigerator as soon as they get home. They should last for up to three weeks.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Cover the remaining slices or partially eaten apples tightly in plastic wrap and put them back in the fridge right away. It will stop the oxidation, which is what causes the browning.
Pears
How to Store: Refrigerate pears for a shelf life of about five days.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Treat them the same as apples, cover them with plastic wrap.
Avocado
How to Store: As soon as avocados get ripe, put them in the refrigerator and they will last for about three days. They should be stored on the counter until they are ripe.
If They Are Partially Eaten: You can keep them from browning by brushing lemon juice on the uneaten half. Put plastic wrap tightly against the surface and put them in the refrigerator.
Bananas
How to Store: Bananas should stay fresh for about five days on the countertop.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Try to leave the uneaten half in the peel and wrap the exposed end with plastic before putting in the refrigerator.
Grapes
How to Store: Keep them in a bowl or a ventilated bag in the refrigerator and they will stay fresh for up to a week.
Raspberries
How to Store: In order to maximize shelflife, remove bad raspberries from the carton and put them out on a paper towel-lined plate in the fridge. They should last up to four days.
Blackberries
How to Store: Use the same method as raspberries.
Tomatoes
How to Store: Store tomatoes in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature before eating them. They should stay edible for a week in the fridge.
If They Are Partially Eaten: The best thing to do is to put them on a paper towel upside down in the refrigerator inside of a plastic container with a lid.
Melons
How to Store: Melon should last for a week or more in the refrigerator.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Cut up any leftovers and put them in a covered, plastic dish in the refrigerator.
Mangoes
How to Store: You can keep mangoes fresh for about four days in the refrigerator.
Blueberries
How to Store: Remove any overripe berries and seal them in the original plastic container in the fridge. They should last a week.
Cherries
How to Store: Cherries should last for three days in a refrigerator if you store them in a bowl.
Oranges
How to Store: Store them in a bowl on your countertop and they will last a week or longer.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Keep uneaten slices in a plastic baggie.
Grapefruit
How to Store: Store them on the countertop and they will last at least a week.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Store any leftovers and the juice (if possible) in a plastic container.
Kiwi
How to Store: You can keep Kiwi in the refrigerator for three or four days.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Wrap partially eaten Kiwi in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Peaches
How to Store: Store ripe peaches in the refrigerator for up to five days.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Slice any partially eaten peaches and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Pineapple
How to Store: You can keep a whole pineapple on the countertop for up to five days. If it’s sliced, keep it in the refrigerator.
If They Are Partially Eaten: Cover partially eaten pineapple in plastic wrap.
Strawberries
How to Store: Strawberries are similar to blueberries. Remove any overripe strawberries and then store them in a perforated container, such as the one that you bought them in.