What temperature do apples need to be refrigerated?
Apples are best suited to frigid temperatures between 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum humidity shouldn’t exceed 90% to 95%. Therefore, the bottom drawer of your refrigerator, which is typically the coldest part, is where your apples will be the most content. You can even adjust this drawer’s humidity with some fridges.
What fruits like high humidity?
Fruits that like high humidity include apples, sour cherries, peaches, pears, plums, apricots, avocados and berries, while a medium level is recommended for grapes, sweet cherries, melons and citrus fruits, the Purdue horticulture department advises. Since 1988, Mary Thomsen has been working on the "Valders Journal," a Wisconsin weekly newspaper.
What are the best humidity levels for fruit trees?
Keep things dry, below 85 percent humidity, for pumpkins, squash, onions and garlic. Fruits that like high humidity include apples, sour cherries, peaches, pears, plums, apricots, avocados and berries, while a medium level is recommended for grapes, sweet cherries, melons and citrus fruits, the Purdue horticulture department advises.
What temperature is too high for fruits and vegetables?
Cold and High Humidity Foods. Many vegetables and fruits require temperatures around 32 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 95 percent.
Definition
Relative humidity is the level of water vapor in the air. The higher the percentage of humidity, the more water in the air. You can prevent moisture loss in vegetables and fruits by keeping them cool and at the highest level of relative humidity the particular variety can handle, according to the University of Tennessee Extension.
Importance
Without the proper level of humidity, vegetables and fruits suffer. Produce that shrinks, wrinkles or spoils quickly likely has been stored in too high or too low humidity, say horticulture experts at the Purdue University Cooperative Education Service.
In the Refrigerator
Refrigerator crisper drawers can help maintain the right humidity level, especially if they are kept at least half full. Damp towels placed inside the crisper can compensate for the drier air found in most refrigerators, the University of Tennessee Extension advises.
Vegetables
Vegetables needing high relative humidity between 85 percent and 95 percent include asparagus, beets, broccoli and cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, beans, peas, radishes, corn and turnips. Greens, scallions and lettuces also need high humidity, but should be kept separate, the University of Tennessee Extension recommends.
Fruits
Fruits that like high humidity include apples, sour cherries, peaches, pears, plums, apricots, avocados and berries, while a medium level is recommended for grapes, sweet cherries, melons and citrus fruits, the Purdue horticulture department advises.
Should I store apples in the refrigerator?
Simply put, yes. The fridge is the best place to keep your apples. Ever noticed how apples are sometimes stored in refrigerators in stores? There is a reason for this.
How long will apples stay fresh?
Although storing apples in the refrigerator is the best method of keeping them fresh, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep a few out in a fruit bowl for decorative purposes or a quick-to-reach snack. However, you should keep in mind when you store apples at room temperature, they will only stay at their best quality for around seven days.
How to Store Apples in the Refrigerator
So, now you know that storing apples in the refrigerator is the best way of keeping them healthy, you should also become aware of the best way to store them. You shouldn’t just chuck apples in the fridge and hope they stay fresh.
Temperature and Humidity
As we have mentioned, the best temperature to store your apples is around 31 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Apples adore freezing cold temperatures so the colder, the better! Some experts even recommend you keep your apples in another fridge that isn’t opened very often.
What fruits and vegetables should not be refrigerated?
Just because you can store apples safely in the refrigerator doesn’t mean you can store all fruits and vegetables.
Storing Sliced Apples in the Refrigerator
Ever cut an apple and witnessed it turn brown in front of your very own eyes? This can be frustrating but there is a remedy. You guessed it! Keep them in the fridge! The reason apples begin to turn brown once cut is because oxygen reaches the apple’s inner core.
In Summary
Now you know! To keep your apples fresher and crisper for longer, just store them in the refrigerator and not at room temperature. Your apples could last for weeks or even months in this colder environment.
How Do Humidity Drawers Work?
Humidity drawers, otherwise known as crispers, work by controlling the airflow to the contents within. The “high” setting on the humidity drawer will cut off airflow to the drawer, allowing the contents to sit in the humidity and gases they produce as they ripen.
Which Foods Should You Keep in High-Humidity Drawers?
The rule of thumb is to put any food that wilts into the high-humidity drawer. Strawberries and other produce susceptible to ethylene gas, a byproduct of ripening fruit, should also be stored in this closed environment.
Which Foods Should You Keep in Low-Humidity Drawers?
Foods not sensitive to moisture loss are perfect for the low-humidity drawer. Since these foods are often high-ethylene gas producers, they benefit from the additional venting. According to the experts, you’ll commonly only use low-humidity drawers for fruits.
Which Foods Should Be Stored Outside of the Humidity Drawers?
There are some fruits and vegetables that have needs outside the humidity drawers, and they should be handled differently to extend their edible life. Citrus fruits, for example, prefer very low humidity and often do better stored in the main part of the refrigerator.
Other Tips for Using Humidity Drawers
Humidity drawers and crispers work best if they are more than halfway full, so arrange your fridge as necessary and prolong the life of your produce. If you find that your fruits and vegetables are still going bad before you can eat them, consider upgrading your refrigerator—or pledge to eat more produce more often.
