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| | Fruit can generally be quite delicate, therefore it's important to store it properly to ensure it stays good for as long as possible. There are of course many different kinds of fruits that need to be stored differently.
Let's take a look at the different kinds of fruit and how they should be stored:
Apples
Apples were traditionally stored in a root cellar where the temperature was cooled. Stored properly this way, they could stay good for a few months. While most of us aren't blessed with a root cellar, it's best to store apples in the refrigerator. If you keep the apples in a plastic bag, make sure to make a few holes in the bag so that moisture can escape. Another thing to keep in mind, is to remove any bad apples from your bunch. If you have a bruised or bad apple, then all the apples will quickly follow, therefore pick through them every once in a while to check that they are all in good condition.
Apricots, Nectarines and Peaches.
Store these fruits in cool room temperature. They store fine out on the counter for a day or two, however if you want to store them for longer periods of time, then the fridge (or a cool pantry if you have it) would be the optimal space.
Bananas
We like to store our bananas out on the counter in room temperature. Stored this way, they last a few days, at which point you have hopefully eaten them up. You can also store bananas in the fridge, they will turn black on the outside, but they are fine inside.
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries etc...)
Berries can be quite sensitive and usually don't last for too long. First of all, pick over the berries and throw away any bruised ones. If the berries came in a cardboard container, then that's a good place for them to remain. For more protection, you can place a paper towel over them. You don't want to place berries directly in a plastic bag, however once you wash and dry them you can place them in paper towels and then in a plastic bag for a few days.
Cherries
Cherries store best in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Or possibly, after washing and drying them and place them in paper towels and then in a plastic bag for a few days.
Citrus Fruits (lemons, limes, oranges etc...)
We like to keep citrus fruits out on the counters where they will stay good for a few days. If however you want to prevent them from drying out, then keeping them in a plastic bag in the fridge is a good option.
Melons
Melons need to ripen at room temperature. However once the melons have achieved ripeness, it's best to store them in the refrigerator.
Pears
Pears can be a bit tricky. If the pears are hard and unripe, then it's a good idea to store them at room temperature until they have soften up a bit. If you want to prevent the fruit from ripening, then you can store them in the fridge and then take them out about a week before you want to eat them.
Pineapples
Pineapples should be stored in the refrigerator. They don't do very well in room temperature, and will actually rot.
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