Here are some basic storage
guidelines for fresh fruit. Humidity can speed up the ripening process.
Most fruits are best kept in a cool, dry place, such as on a countertop
away from sunlight and heat. For tips on preparing a specific produce
item, search by name in
The FruitGuys Magazine.
Remember to always wash your hands, and rinse fruit in cold water before eating, even if it's organic Apples
Apples should be kept in a cool space away from sunlight and heat.
Depending on variety, they will keep in a cool space for up to two
weeks. When refrigerated, most apples will keep for 3–4 weeks.
Apricots
Apricots continue to ripen after picking. They should be stored at room
temperature, away from sunlight and heat until they give softly to the
touch and have a sweet aroma. Once ripe, refrigerate apricots as
necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold temperatures may change their
texture and taste.
Apriums
Apriums are an apricot-plum fruit hybrid. They continue to ripen after
picking and should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and
heat until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. After
ripe, refrigerate apriums as necessary to prevent spoiling, but cold
temperatures may change their texture and taste.
Avocados
Store avocados at room temperature until they are ripe. They’ll give
slightly to pressure when they’re ready to eat. To ripen avocados
faster, put them in a paper bag for a couple of days. After ripening,
they may be refrigerated for several days, and half-avocados should be
stored in an airtight container in the fridge with the pit still in
place (to limit browning).
Bananas
Store bananas at room temperature away from direct sunlight and heat.
Bananas become yellow, soft, and sweet as they ripen. If you want to
speed the ripening process, put bananas in a paper bag with an apple
overnight. The natural ethylene gas released by the apple will help
ripen your bananas. Bananas are very delicate and can be easily damaged
by extreme temperatures, hot or cold. Refrigerating bananas will turn
their skins black. Black skinned bananas were most likely exposed to
extreme cold temperatures. The flesh inside will continue to ripen, even
refrigerated, and can still be eaten, or if too ripe, used for baking.
Berries
Berries are picked ripe and should be enjoyed as soon as possible.
Berries should be kept refrigerated until eaten. Do not wash berries
until you are ready to eat (or freeze) them.
Cherries
Refrigerate cherries unwashed in a plastic bag for up to a week or 10
days. Before eating, rinse the cherries and let them warm to room
temperature for best flavor. If you think you might not eat them before
they spoil, try pitting and freezing the cherries for a refreshing treat
in the hot summer months!
Figs
Figs are picked ripe. If they are hard, let them sit a room temperature
until soft. Once ripe, refrigerate figs until ready to eat. You can
enjoy them cold or at room temperature.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit can be stored at room temperature for a week or so. Keep out
of direct sunlight. You can also refrigerate grapefruit for up to
several weeks.
Grapes
Grapes continue to ripen after being picked—refrigerate grapes to slow
down the ripening process. You can determine freshness by examining the
stems: Fresh grapes will have green and pliable stems, while grapes that
have been stored for a while will have twiggy and woody ones.
Kiwi
Keep kiwifruit at room temperature until ripe, when it gives slightly to
the touch. Once ripe, refrigerated kiwi will keep for a few days. Very
firm unripe kiwi can keep refrigerated for up to two months.
Lemons
Lemons can be stored at room temperature for a couple of weeks. Keep out
of direct sunlight. Refrigerated lemons can keep up to several weeks.
Limes
Limes can be stored at room temperature for a couple of weeks, out of
direct sunlight. Refrigerated lines can keep for up to several weeks.
Mangoes
Mangoes can be stored at room temperature and will continue to ripen.
When they give slightly to touch, they are ready to eat. Refrigerate
mangoes to slow down the ripening process.
Melons
Store melons at room temperature until ripe. The best indicator of melon
ripeness is aroma. If a melon’s sweet fragrance is noticeable, it’s
probably ready to cut and eat. The outside of the melon should feel firm
but give slightly to pressure, particularly on the end where the stem
was. If it feels rock-hard, give it a little more time. Once cut, cover
and refrigerate.
Nectarines
Nectarines are climacteric, which means they ripen after picking.
Nectarines should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and
heat until they give softly to touch and have a sweet aroma. The
FruitGuys strives to deliver them to you on the firm side so they won't
be damaged in shipping. To speed nectarine ripening, place them in a
paper bag on the counter. When they've reached the desired ripeness, eat
or refrigerate nectarines for up to several days.
Oranges
Oranges can be stored at room temperature for a couple of weeks or
refrigerated for up to several weeks. Keep out of direct sunlight.
Passion Fruit
Passion fruit is a fragrant fruit and is best eaten ripe, cut in
half and scooped out. You can tell when a passion fruit is ripe when it
begins to look shriveled. For the best tasting passion fruit, we
recommend you store passion fruit on the counter out of direct sunlight
and give it a few days to "wrinkle-up."
Peaches
Peaches are climacteric, which means they ripen after picking. Peaches
should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat until
they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. The FruitGuys
delivers them to you on the firm side so they won't be damaged during
shipping. Peach ripening can be hastened by placing them in a paper bag
on the counter. When they've reached the desired ripeness, you can
refrigerate peaches, but cold temperatures may change their texture and
taste.
Pears
