Fruits are one of the sweetest and most delicious gifts of nature and one of its superstars is definitely the sweet and crispy classic fruits known as apples.
If you are a fan of apples and fruits in general, you must have some somewhere in your house. Aside from storing them in a fruit bowl, they can also be refrigerated.
But, how long do apples last in the fridge?
Well, the answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the variety of apples, their level of ripeness, as well as the fridge temperature. In this article, you will find out what the shelf life of refrigerated apples is based on these factors.
You will also learn some valuable information about refrigerating apples properly, so it is best to begin.
How Long Do Apples Last In The Fridge Based On Their Variety?
In general, most types of apples can last in the fridge for about 4-6 weeks.
However, since there are a lot of different varieties of apples, their shelf life will not be the same. In the table below are the shelf lives of some popular types of apples.
What Is An Apple’s Fridge Shelf Life Considering Ripeness?
Although the factor that plays the most important role in the shelf life of refrigerated apples is their type, their level of ripeness can also play a role.
When you purchase unripe apples and store them in the fridge, they will usually stay good there for up to 3-4 weeks or even more, based on their type.
You can also store them at room temperature until they ripen and then transfer them to the fridge to extend their shelf life.
If you are dealing with ripe apples, it is not a good idea to leave them in the fridge for too long. It is best to consume them within 1-2 weeks because, in that time frame, they will be the freshest.
If you leave them in the fridge for longer, they won’t harm you, but their quality won’t be at the highest level.
What About The Refrigerator Temperature?
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the refrigerator temperature should be 40°F (4.5°C) or less.
The main reason for this is the fact that temperatures above this are in the so-called temperature danger zone (40-140 degrees F) and, at any of those temperatures, the harmful bacteria can multiply quickly and do harm to your health if you consume it.
So, the standard fridge temperature ranges from 37°F (2.7°C) to 39°F (3.8°C) and, at that temperature, your apple will stay good for the standard amount of time, based on the type and the level of ripeness.
However, some types of refrigerators operate at lower temperatures, i.e. at 34°F (1.1°C) or 35°F (1.6°C) and they are considered the lowest fridge temperatures.
At those temperatures, apples can last for longer periods of time, i.e. based on the type and level of ripeness, while some can even last for up to 2 months.
Take note that it is not a good thing to set the fridge temperature too low because that can cause other products to freeze or become damaged.
Can You Refrigerate Cooked Or Sliced Apples?
Although they are crispiest, juiciest, and most delicious when consumed fresh, apples are not limited and they can be cooked and incorporated into various types of sweet and savory dishes and beverages.
So, the question of storing cooked apples in the fridge arises. Cooked apples can be stored in the refrigerator, but they won’t last as long as fresh ones.
The same goes for sliced apples as their shelf life in the fridge is as much the same as cooked apples.
Namely, if you store them properly, i.e. cool them down to room temperature (cooked apples) and store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag, cooked and sliced apples will stay good for up to 4-5 days.
If you want to extend their shelf life for much longer, it is best to store them in the freezer and they will last there for up to even 6 months.
Just don’t leave them at room temperature because they will go bad after only 2 hours due to harmful bacteria growth.
Why Should You Store Your Apples In The Fridge?
Although it is sometimes not necessary to refrigerate apples, this storage method has many benefits for your favorite fruit. So, below are some of the most important reasons to choose this storage method for your apples.
1. Longer Shelf Life: This is the most obvious reason to choose the fridge as the home for your apples. Unlike room temperature, the temperature in the fridge will slow down the ripening process and keep your apples fresh for several weeks.
2. Spoilage Reduction: If you refrigerate your apples, you won’t have to worry about their spoilage because the cool temperature in the fridge slows down the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can cause apples to spoil more quickly.
3. Keeping The Best Quality: Apples stored in the fridge retain their crisp texture and firmness for longer, compared to those stored at room temperature.
The humidity in the fridge is also lower and this helps prevent moisture loss, which can cause apples to become soft and mealy.
4. Keeps Them Flavorful And Nutritious: Finally, storing apples in the fridge will make them retain their flavor and nutrients for longer.
Namely, exposure to heat and light can cause the breakdown of nutrients, so keeping your apples in the fridge can help preserve their nutritional value.
How To Refrigerate Them The Right Way
Now that you know that a fridge can extend the shelf life of your apples and offer some other benefits as well, let me give you some good tips for storing those same apples the right way.
• Refrigerate Them Whole: It is always better to refrigerate your apples whole because apple slices are exposed to air that causes the release of an enzyme that will make your apples oxidize and turn brown.
• Separate Bad From Good Ones: It is essential that you, before storing them in the fridge, separate bad or damaged apples from the good ones because the bad apples will accelerate the spoilage of good apples.
• Do Not Wash Them: It is not a good idea to wash apples before refrigerating them because that can expose them to too much moisture, compromising their skin and leaving it to premature molding and rotting.
• Wrap Them Separately: It is best to wrap every individual apple tightly in plastic wrap because, that way, you will ensure that it will cover the entire fruit and protect it from moisture that can potentially accelerate their spoilage.
• Put Them In The Crisper Drawer: The best place for your apples to be is definitely the refrigerator’s crisper drawer because it is the coolest place and apples tend to last longer at lower temperatures.
• Keep Them Away From Ethylene Gas: Apples are the types of fruits that produce ethylene gas, so it is not a good idea to store them close to other ethylene gas-producing fruits (avocados, mangoes, bananas, etc.) because they will speed up the ripening process of each other.
What Are The Signs Of Bad Apples?
Apples do not come with an expiration date like some other food products, so it is best to store them properly and follow the shelf life guidelines. However, when you are still trying to figure it out, it is best to check if there are any spoilage signs.
Spoilage Signs Of Apples:
• Discoloration: The first sign to look out for, is certainly discoloration. So, if you notice that your apple has turned brown or has some dark spots on it, it is best to discard it.
• Mold: Although a moldy apple is not something that you can see every day, it can happen sometimes. So, if you see any mold on your apple, it is not enough to just cut off the moldy part.
Moldy apples are inedible because they can be harmful to your health, so it is best to get rid of them immediately.
• Holes: If you see any holes in your apples, then there are probably worms or insects inside of it and it has become the breeding ground for mold.
• Soft Texture: If your apple feels mushy or soft, it has likely started to rot. The same goes for soft spots; getting rid of those apples is best.
• Wrinkles: Pretty much every apple will wrinkle if left for too long. When it does, it is a sign of decay and your apple won’t be as good and fresh as it has been before.
• Bad Smell: A spoiled apple may emit an unpleasant odor, which is a clear sign that it has gone bad and that it is not suitable for consumption anymore.