Do Oranges Last Longer in the Fridge
To keep your oranges fresher longer, you need to store them in an environment that’s controlled by hygienic standards. The fridge is the perfect location for this as it’s very cold, which makes the oranges more acidic and less preserved. But this also means they last them much longer: until they get too tart and bitter, even after being stored for a few days. So here are 5 tips on how to keep your orange slices fresh for weeks!
Don’t Over-Peel Them
Over-peeling is the main reason why oranges don’t last as long in the fridge as they should. The core of the orange is edible, but the membrane that surrounds it is not. So, if you peel the orange completely, you’ll end up with a pithy, bitter orange.
To extend the shelf life of your oranges, it’s best to leave only a small skin on, as this is where the pith is located. When you’re ready to use the oranges, just score the skin, and it will easily come off.
Don’t Squeeze Them
Just because you bought oranges that were already peeled, doesn’t mean you should use them that way. Squeezing oranges removes a lot of the valuable pith from the fruit, which will make the orange less shelf-stable. There are many ways to peel oranges, so feel free to go with whatever approach works best with your schedule.
But to maximise the length of time that you can use your oranges, avoid going at them with all your might. Instead, use a spoon to maneuver the fruit into a bowl so you don’t damage the skin. Then, simply leave the oranges in the bowl to rest while you do something else.
Avoid Stacking Them
If you’ve got a pile of oranges sitting in your kitchen, you may find that they get too difficult to remove from their skins. In this case, you may want to try stacking the oranges to keep them from falling out. But stack them carefully so that you don’t end up with an uneven pile of peeled oranges! Once you’ve got the hang of it, you may just find that storing oranges in a stack of flexible plastic bags works better for you than traditional ways of storing them.
Refrigerate After Half-Chilling
If you’ve got a large pile of oranges in the fridge, it’s probably causing issues for your other food. One way to solve this is to avoid putting them in the fridge at all. Instead, chill the oranges gently before storing them. At the same time, you should also cover the oranges with plastic to help them retain their moisture and prevent them from drying out. You should refrigerate your oranges at least three days before using them to make sure they have a chance to finish ripening.
Wrap When Storing
When you’re ready to use your oranges, simply unwrap them and place them in a bowl or jar. If you’re storing them, cover the top with a loose-fitting lid to retain moisture. If you’re giving them away, you may wish to box the oranges in plastic to help them retain moisture too.
Conclusion
After all these tips, it’s likely that your oranges will last you weeks rather than days. Not only will they taste much sweeter, but they’ll also be more acidic, which will help them last longer in the fridge. Storing oranges properly will allow you to enjoy these sweet, winter fruits throughout the year. And by using these tips, you can store your oranges for up to two times longer. What are you waiting for? Go out and start saving those oranges!