It can be so confusing. You purchase fresh fruit from the farmers market, roadside stand or grocery store and bring them home; now you need to decide where and how to store them. Are they to be stored in the refrigerator or on the countertop?
We know that according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is recommended we eat between one and one half and 2 cups of fruit each day, depending upon age and activity level. If we don’t store them properly, how do we maintain maximum flavor without needing to throw them away?
Fresh fruits purchased from farmers markets and roadside stands are picked fresh and are ready to consume after purchase. However, those purchased from the grocery store are likely picked before they are fully ripe and shipped to the store so they can survive the shipping process.
What should I keep on the counter? There are some fruits that will continue to ripen and should not be refrigerated until they are mature. If they are refrigerated before they are ripe, it could cause them to lose flavor and have a mealy texture. These fruits include: Apricot, avocados, bananas, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums and tomatoes .
How do I speed up ripening? If you want to speed up the ripening process, you can place the fruit in a single layer in a large paper bag, fold the top down and check it every day to see if it has become ripe. Once fully ripened it can be eaten and the remainder refrigerated for safety.
What should I keep in the refrigerator? Some fruits are extremely perishable and must be refrigerated as soon as they are brought home. These fruits will not continue to ripen after they have been picked. Do not leave these on the counter at room temperature as it will speed the decay process. These delicate fruits include: Most berries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries; cherries, grapes, pomegranates , rhubarb and tangerines.
Some Fruits can be stored on the counter or refrigerator. There are some fruits that do not have a preference on where they are stored and can be left at room temperature or stored in the refrigerator without any harm to the quality or taste of the fruit. These fruits will not ripen after picking. These are the ones you might store in a fruit basket on the counter. They include apples, clementines, lemons, limes, oranges, and watermelon.
Always rinse fresh fruits and veggies thoroughly. Before preparing or eating fresh fruits, rinse them under clean, running water; rub fruits briskly with your hands or produce brush to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel after rinsing.
Once fruits are cut, they must be stored in the refrigerator immediately for food safety reasons. This includes fruits bought at the store that are pre-cut or peeled. Once cut or peeled, they should be refrigerated within 2 hours. If it is left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, throw it away.
When shopping for fruits, look for those with no bruising, cut, or torn skin, since this can cause them to spoil faster. Those that are excessively soft are at the end of their lifespan. The fruit should be firm, but not rock hard.
Always keep fruits separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood while shopping, preparing, or storing. You do not want to risk cross contamination of fruit since it will not likely be cooked.
For more information on this topic or to get a copy of a storage chart for fruits and vegetables contact the Newton County Extension office at 446-2240. The Arkansas Cooperative Division of Agriculture is an equal access and affirmative action institution.
