Do Apples Go Bad in the Fridge?
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is one of the oldest sayings, showing the importance of apples. It is the most widely cultivated fruit and is found in the whole world. There are more than 2500 varieties of apples, and it is consumed throughout the world because of their nutritious values. They are high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals, which is why it is considered the healthiest fruit.
Do Apples Go Bad in The Fridge?
Because of their nutritious values, apples are considered extremely important. Since they are the most abundantly cultivated fruit, they are abundant in most parts of the world; hence, they are a staple item in most households. The question of how long they will last depend widely upon how you store them. A fresh and healthy apple will stay for about a week if you leave it out. After a week, the skin will start wrinkling. to make these apples last longer, you can place them in a fridge.
If you plan to consume the apples within a few days, you can store them on the counter, but remember, apples do not like warmth. Please keep them in a corner, preferably a dark corner, away from the heat.
If you plan to use your apples slowly, the best way is to refrigerate them. However, it help a lot if you stored them the correct way. It is a good idea not to wash them; pack each apple separately and put them away in the fridge’s crisper drawer. Apples remain fresh for longer if stored in a cool and dark place. Pack each apple separately in either a paper towel or a plastic bag with holes. This would help them maintain their freshness. Also, never store apples with other vegetables or fruits because they emit ethylene gas, triggering the decay process for other things.
In short, apples do not go bad in a fridge; refrigerators help keep their freshness. But this is only possible if you plan to store a smaller number of apples. Also, a fridge can help apples keep their freshness for a limited period, around 4 to 6 weeks.
How Long Do Fresh-Picked Apples Last?
Any fruits and vegetables that are freshly picked will last for only a limited time unless proper care is taken. Left to its own devices, a newly picked apple will only be able to maintain its freshness for a few weeks. After two weeks, the apple will start going soft, the skin will wrinkle, and the apple will start rotting in its third week.
If you want to store the apples for longer, you must take a few precautionary measures. For instance, apples don’t fare well in light and heat. Both things trigger the rotting process much earlier than expected. So, once you have your fresh-picked apples, store them away in a dark and cool place. If you have access to a temperature-controlled environment, then that is ideal. You can keep them for up to 10 months if the required temperature is maintained.
You can even refrigerate your apples in the crisp drawer, but again, you need to follow the protocol required for fresh fruit. Please do not wash them; cover them with a damp paper towel or separately wrap each apple in a plastic bag with holes. This wrapping would help the apples retain moisture and prevent rotting. Apples are 25% air, so they prefer a cool environment last longer there.
How long any fruit lasts depend upon how you take care of it. A freshly-picked apple lasts for three weeks if left in normal conditions. If stored well, these apples can last for more than ten months. Please keep reading to know how you can preserve them for even longer.
There are more than 2500 varieties of apples, and it is consumed throughout the world because of their nutritious values.
How Do They Keep Apples Fresh for Months?
Keeping apples fresh on a commercial scale is only possible through CA (Controlled Atmosphere) storage. It’s big storage where you can control the temperature, humidity, and oxygen. The main idea is to put the apples to sleep. Once in hibernation, the decay process slows down, and you can keep your apples fresh for longer. The ideal temperature for a CA Storage for apples is 300 to 350 F. The freezing point for apples is between 270F to 290F. The idea is to keep them cold just short of freezing so the decaying process can be slowed. The relative humidity is kept high, between 90 and 95%. The moisture will prevent dehydration and resultant shriveling. These are the vitals for keeping the apples in cold storage. Now there are a few tricks to ensure that your apples retain their freshness for longer.
1. Pick your apples carefully.
No matter how low you keep the temperature, the apples ripen. So when you pick them, make sure they are mature but not ripe. This time would give them an excellent cushion to grow on.
2. Let the stem be attached.
An apple is 86% water. If the stem is not attached, it will lose its hydration and start rotting.
3. Store different varieties of apples separately.
Different apples ripen at other times. They might even require different storage temperatures, so it is best to store them separately.
4. Store whole fruit.
Apples get bruised easily. Keep the bruised and nicked apples for fresh use as these will rot quickly and the gases released will encourage others to rot with them.
5. Never stack your apples.
Try to keep the apples in trays, so they don’t touch each other. This practice ensures that one bad apple does not cause the whole pile to rot. If you can wrap each in a paper towel, that is even better.
What Happens If You Eat a Bad Apple?
It is not a wise decision to eat bad apples, or for that matter, anything that has gone bad. However, there is a difference between a bad apple and an apple that has gone brown. A bad apple is a rotten apple, and you can see its rot, whereas a brown apple has gone brown because of oxidization but is not rancid. It might appear unappealing for some, but it has not gone bad and is safe for consumption. A brown apple will appear brown; otherwise, it will be crisp and juicy, whereas an apple gone wrong will be soft and moldy.
If you eat an apple that has gone bad, you are at risk of food poisoning. Apples can quickly get mold growth which is caused by microorganisms that are the causes of many allergies and respiratory reactions. These microorganisms even promote patulin growth, which can cause nausea, bleeding ulcers, and food poisoning. It even increases the risk of cancer. These effects occur because of the rot that sets in on the apple.
So, an apple that has gone bad should be thrown away and not consumed. It is not poisonous, but it can cause discomfort. Best to consult a doctor if the condition persists.
