Fruit Storage Guidelines

Have you ever wondered just how long you could store your fruits before they go bad. Here is a guideline of just how long fruits will stay in storage and how to store them properly.

Apples will store in a refrigerator for up to a month. Beware though that apples give off ethylene, which speeds up the ripening process of green vegetables. Store them in a different drawer than or in a sealed plastic bag.

Avocados can be stored in a refrigerator for 2-4 days after they are ripe. It can take 4-7 days for avocados to ripen out on a counter. To speed up the ripening process, place in a paper bag and sore at room temperature for 2-4 days.

Any berry is highly perishable. They will only last 2-4 days in the refrigerator. Remove the damaged berries to help prevent the spread of mold to the other berries. Store them unwashed in a shallow container, not a plastic bag, to allow for air circulation.

Cherries will last only 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Store them unwashed in a shallow container and not a plastic bag. Store them separately if possible, as the tend to absorb odors.

Grapefruit will last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. Store them in a crisper drawer.

Grapes will last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. They are best when eaten right after they are purchased. Store unwashed in a plastic bag in the crisper.

Lemons and limes will last for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh at room temperature for several days, but keep them out of direct sunlight.

Melons will last around a week in the refrigerator if they are left whole. After they are cut, melons will only last 3 days in the refrigerator. Melons will ripen in a few days at room temperature. Keep ripe, uncut melons away from other fruit so that the ethylene does not affect other fruit’s ripening process.
Oranges will last 2 weeks in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. Store them in the crisper drawer.

Peaches and nectarines will last only 3-5 days in the refrigerator. They will ripen within 2-3 days at room temperature. To speed up the ripening process, store in a paper bag out of direct sunlight. After they are ripe, store them in the crisper drawer.

Pears will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. They lose moisture very quickly. To ripen, store them at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Pineapple is best right after purchased. It will only last about 2 days in the refrigerator. Store it in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Plums are highly perishable and will only last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store ripe plums in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer.

Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature for about a week. Chill tomatoes only if that are in danger of going bad.