Love fruits but lack a refrigerator to store them? Then not to worry at all. You can store fruits without refrigeration. It might sound strange for some people to think of a life without a refrigerator, but fruits are best kept outside the fridge.
Why?
Because a majority of fruits lose flavor when stored inside the fridge. Also, they tend to lose texture rapidly when you take the fruits out to cut them. Therefore, it is best to store fruits in a basket.
However, you should keep a few things in mind to make fruits long laster without refrigeration. And below are some tricks and tips that will help to keep your produce fresh for weeks.
Best way to store fruits without a fridge
It is okay to run out of refrigeration space if you have a small fridge. You need to find the right spot to store fresh produce in case of no fridge at home. Below are some basics to store fresh fruits right way to maintain their freshness for a long.
- Washing fruits is important before storing them, especially citrus fruits. Simply rinse them under running water to remove dirt, bacteria, or bugs from the surface. There is no need to use cleaning agents or bleach to wash fruits.
- Let the produce dry completely before storing them away. Do not dry fruits under direct sunlight.
- After washing and drying, find a well-ventilated spot to keep your fruit basket wherein you’ll store the fresh produce. Use a wooden basket/cabinet or stainless steel mesh basket to ensure air flows properly.
- Look for a cool, dark space to maintain the freshness of fruits for a long.
- Look out for stained or bruised fruits. Either throw them away or have them as a snack to prevent them from spoiling the rest of the produce in the basket.
How long can fruits last without refrigeration?
The lifespan of a fruit depends on its freshness and storage method. A farm-fresh fruit or vegetable will definitely outsurvive the ones kept for too long in the store or basket. Let us have a look below to have a better idea of what fruits can you keep long for fresh without a refrigerator.
1. Bananas
Soft, mushy bananas are hard to store for longer than 2-3 days without refrigeration. This is because they are susceptible to bruising and browning quickly. Unless you’re planning to make a banana pie or a large bowl of smoothie, it is better to buy limited bananas that you can finish within 3 days.
However, if you hate to go to the grocery store often then buy a large bunch of bananas with 50% unripe ones. Till the time you finish eating the ripe bananas, the unripe ones will slowly ripe, thus, saving you from frequent grocery visits. Also, this way you can make the bananas last for a week.
2. Apples
Apples can survive up to 7 days at room temperature. Make sure to store apples away from citrus fruits as they might over-ripen them. Store fresh apples in a well-ventilated area to keep the crunchiness for a long time.
3. Grapes
A little more air circulation is necessary for keeping grapes fresh without a fridge. The tiny little fruits tend to lose texture quickly. So it is important to store grapes on a counter and it will last for 2-4 days. Also, do not keep other fruits on top of grapes or the fruit might mold.
4. Avocados
A hard shell of avocadoes makes you think they can go days without refrigeration. But it is quite the opposite. It is hard to preserve avocados at room temperature. Ripe avocadoes last 2-3 days at room temperature.
It is best to buy unripe avocadoes if you don’t have a refrigerator at home. They ripen quickly at room temperature. So it is best to consume them immediately after they are ripe for the best taste.
5. Oranges and other citrus fruits
If you love oranges then here’s some good news for you. Oranges can last up to a month without refrigeration. Just make sure to wrap individual fruit in aluminum foil and store them away from bananas and apples. This single step will keep your favorite oranges fresh for up to 30 days.
Storing citrus fruits without aluminum foil can last for a week to 10 days. Still, good to go if you love having orange juice every morning.
6. Strawberries
Sweet and tangy strawberries ripe quickly at room temperature. So it is best to consume them the same day after proper rinsing and drying. They tend to lose their flavor and texture fast. You might not be able to enjoy the same freshness after 1-2 days.
Bottom Line
Ripe fruits are a bit hard to keep fresh for a long time at room temperature but are not an impossible task. With the right storage tips and tricks, you can keep your favorite fruits fresh and enjoy them without a fridge. And now that you know how long fruits can go without refrigeration, I’m sure you’ll make the right choice when buying them. And later, enjoy nutritious bites.
