“An apple a day keeps a doctor away.”
You have probably heard this proverb many times, and many actually believe it. That said, you might possibly have tons of apples in your fridge all the time to prevent getting sick. But you’re worried what if they become rotten.
We all know that storing fruits, including apples, in the fridge is the best way to keep them fresh for longer. While this seems like a logical choice for prolonging their shelf life, many people are unaware of how long those apples last and when to throw them.
Apples are not only tasty fruits but also contain several nutrients. Picking or purchasing an apple is easy, but storing it to keep it crisp and fresh for a long period can be challenging. Is the refrigerator a good choice? If so, how long do apples last in the fridge?
Continue reading to find out how long apples stay fresh in the fridge and how to prolong their shelf life.
Shelf Life of Apples
Apple is a round, nutritious fruit rich in vitamins, fibers, and minerals. It’s a type of prone fruit. They have comparatively less shelf life than other fruits and vegetables, including carrots. On average, fresh apples can last in the fridge for up to 1-3 months if stored properly.
Apples emit the natural gas ethylene, which starts the ripening process. Once the apples are chilled, the temperature drops and the ethylene release slows down, causing the apples to mature more slowly.
Still, it's not as simple as putting apples in the fridge. Apples taken straight from the tree will continue to ripen. When that happens, they won't become any sweeter; instead, they become softer.
Apples are high in fiber, which promotes good digestion. They are also rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. Besides, they are a good source of antioxidants, polyphenols, and vitamin E.
Did you know half of the daily required fiber and most polyphenols are found in the fruit's skin? That’s why it is preferable to eat the fruit with its skin on.
Apple: Nutritional Facts
One medium-sized apple contains the following nutrients:
| Nutrient | Amount per apple |
| Calories | 52 |
| Water | 86% |
| Protein | 0.3 g |
| Carbs | 13.8 g |
| Sugar | 10.4 g |
| Fiber | 2.4 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
How Long Do Apples Last Outside The Fridge?
Apples can be kept at room temperature on the kitchen countertop for roughly 5 to 7 days. If you have a few apples, this is a perfect storage period.
However, if you leave apples unrefrigerated for longer than a week, their quality and nutritional value will drop.
Moreover, the texture and flavor will start to deteriorate, and you'll have no choice but to throw them away. That’s why refrigerating them is the best way to keep apples fresh for longer.
Now, coming back to the main question of our blog.
How Long Do Apples Last In The Fridge?
As explained before, refrigerating apples is the best way to extend their shelf life. How long apples stay fresh in the fridge largely depends on what condition the apple is in. Let’s break it down:
1. Whole apples –
Fresh whole apples can be refrigerated for up to three months. That's a relatively lengthy shelf life for fruit and a far preferable alternative for preserving bulk quantities of apples.
Apples prefer cold weather, with an optimal temperature of 30-40°F and high humidity. The best place to store apples is in the crisper drawer.
2. Cut or sliced apples –
Cutting or slicing apples becomes problematic if you plan to store them. Yes, apples have a much shorter shelf life after they have been cut.
As we said before, storing them whole in the fridge allows them to survive up to three months, but once chopped into pieces, they only last approximately three to five days in the refrigerator.
Note that apples must be kept in a sealed ziplock bag or an airtight container once they have been cut or sliced. Then, you could keep them for three to five days.
How To Store Apples in The Fridge?
You don’t have to think too much when it comes to storing whole raw apples. Keep it simple – store them in a crisper drawer. Apples prefer a cool temperature (not freezing), chilly air, and high relative humidity. The best conditions for storing apples are 32°F and 90% humidity.
According to experts, the ideal place is somewhere dark. If you are unable to achieve those precise circumstances, don't worry—the goal is to obtain the longest possible storage time.
Here’s how to store them:
- Wipe off the debris on the apple’s skin using a clean kitchen towel. (Do not wash it, as it will wash away the protective waxy layer)
- Keep the apples in a plastic bag or crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
- If you’ve bought pre-packaged apples, poke a few holes and then keep them in the crisper as is.
Other Tips For Storing Apples In The Fridge
Here are some of the useful tips to help you make your apples last longer:
- Do not keep your apples near other produce like tomatoes; they will lose their quality and flavor.
- Avoid washing apples unless you're ready to eat them. It may seem odd to store unwashed or dirty apples, but experts say washing promotes faster decay and shortens their shelf life. Once you wash apples with water, you're wearing down the outer waxy protective layer that helps keep out bacteria.
- When shopping in a grocery store, pick apples that are firm, crispy, and free of bruises or nicks on the skin.
- The ideal storage temperature is 30-40 °F. So, set your fridge temperature when storing apples.
- Some experts recommend storing them in the plastic bag they came in.
- If you want to add humidity to extend the shelf life of the apples, you can either keep them in a plastic bag or cover them with a damp paper towel to trap the humidity. Don’t forget to poke a few holes in the bag to release the trapped ethylene gas.
- Apples should be wrapped separately in plastic or paper bags to prevent ethylene gas from spreading and ripening nearby apples.
Can You Freeze Apples?
Although not necessary, you can freeze raw apples like how you freeze bananas. However, due to their water content, apples will be fairly soft when you thaw them.
This means that the water within the apple expands as it turns into ice and breaks the fruit's delicate cell structure with the crystals.
Here's how you can freeze your apples:
- Simply peel and core the apples, then cut them into slices. It's fine if you don't want to peel.
- Put the cut slices in a large bowl or arrange them on a lined baking sheet.
- Splash over the lemon juice to prevent spoilage (Adding lemon is optional.)
- Toss the slices together to ensure they're all lightly coated in lemon juice.
- Open and freeze the slices until firm for two hours.
- Transfer the frozen apples to a container or food bag to preserve their color and taste.
- Since cooler temperatures prolong the shelf life of fresh produce, store entire apples in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator rather than in your cupboard or on the counter.
- These frozen apples can last for up to six months without affecting the taste.
How Can You Tell If Apple Has Gone Bad?
Apples are among the fruits that don't have expiration dates. Therefore, it's better to rely on your senses to tell you whether apples feel or look different than usual.
Fresh apples are normally firm, crispy, sweet, and juicy. Some of the signs that tell your apple has spoiled are:
- Bruising or soft spots
- Brown blemishes and holes
- Mushy texture
- Bland taste
- Discoloration in some areas
- Liquid oozing from the skin
- Soft and spongy feel
- Strong vinegar-like or acrid smell
If you observe any of these signs on your apple, it’s time to discard it. Otherwise, it may cause food poisoning or gastrointestinal issues.
What Are The Risks Of Eating Spoiled Apples?
While it's not generally harmful to consume apples that are becoming a little rotten or expired, molds may start to develop.
Microorganisms are the source of mold, which can make certain people allergic or have respiratory issues. Numerous foodborne infections are caused by mycotoxins, which are grown by certain microbes.
Apples are highly susceptible to a mycotoxin called patulin, produced by the Penicillium expansum species. When consumed in high quantities, patulin can induce nausea and bleeding ulcers and may possibly increase one's risk of cancer.
Mycotoxins can also upset gut bacteria, harming your immune system and increasing the risk of developing serious illnesses.
Conclusion
We hope you have found the answer to the question, “How long do apples last in the fridge?” In general, fresh apples can last up to 2-3 months in the fridge. Whole apples can live up to eight weeks in the refrigerator.
However, if your apples have already been cut or sliced, they can last for up to five days. On the kitchen counter or pantry, apples are edible for 5 days.
If you notice any signs of spoilage like soft bruising, molds, wrinkles, or bad odor, discard them immediately. After all, no one likes to eat rotten apples! Always choose fresh, firm, and heavy apples to avoid wasting them.
FAQs
1. Can refrigerated apples go bad?
Ans: Refrigerated apples can stay fresh for six to eight weeks. After this period, apples can go bad.
2. How do they keep apples fresh for months?
Ans: Apples not intended for the fresh market are stored at low temperatures (usually 30 to 35 degrees F), with low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels.
3. How long are apples good for in the crisper?
Ans: Fresh apples are good if kept in a crisper drawer in your refrigerator for up to six to eight weeks.
4. How can I tell if an apple has gone bad?
Ans: If you notice bruising or soft spots, wrinkled skin, brown blemishes, and a mushy texture on apples, it indicates that they have gone bad.
5. Can apples last for three months in the fridge?
Ans: No. Apples can last only a month or two, max. Beyond that, they are not edible, and they start decaying.
6. Which Apple stores the longest?
Ans: Thick-skinned, firm, and tart apples tend to last longer. Some apples of this style can be stored for up to six months or even a year. Granny Smith, Fuji, Rome, and McIntosh red are some of the apples that have longer shelf lives.
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