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What Keeps Fruit Fresh the Longest?

Fresh fruit. It's flavorful, delicious and nutritious. But, sometimes, it is also gamble. In fact, the average American family throws out nearly $600 worth of fruit per year. Rather than letting those dollars go to waste, there are a few simple steps to take that will help keep fruit fresh longer.

  1. Counter Top Storage

    • Bowls of fruit can help liven up a room.

      Keeping bowls of fresh fruit on the counter is both functional and fashionable. But, there are a few steps to follow that will help keep that fruit last longer. First of all, certain types of fruit thrive on the counter top more than others. Examples include apples, bananas and tomatoes. Alternatively, berries are best kept in the refrigerator. Also consider placement. Keep fruit away from sunlight in a cool, dry place. This keeps fruit fresh for up to one week.

    Refrigerator Storage

    • Refrigerator storage can be tricky, but there are a few guidelines to follow to extend the life of fridge fruit. First, don't wash the fruit until it is ready for use. Also, berries should be stored in a single layer on a paper towel. Otherwise, one bad berry can spoil the bunch. It's also important to keep some types of fruit separate from other fruit. This is because varieties such as apricots, pears and plums produce ethylene, which makes other fruit spoil.

    Extra Care

    • Stone fruits, such as plums, nectarines and avocados, demand extra attention. They should ripen on the counter top and then be relocated to the refrigerator's crisper. This helps maintain the peak taste while also extending the life of the ripened fruit. As with other refrigerated fruits, keep these separate from each other, as they are big producers of ethylene, a gas that spoils produce.

    Additional Tips

    • Regardless of how it's stored, fruit has a relatively short lifespan. Rather than tossing the ailing fruit, put it to another use. Freeze berries for quick smoothies, make banana bread with browned bananas or make an easy fruit crisp using anything from apples to cherries. It is also fairly easy to make and can jellies or applesauce.

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