What happens to oranges stored in the refrigerator?
In general, it is not recommended to keep oranges in the refrigerator. There is a good reason for this: the tropical fruits quickly lose their aroma when they are stored in cold temperatures. However, you extend the shelf life of oranges enormously if you store them at temperatures between 0 ° C and 9 ° C: The fruits stay fresh for up to five months. So it is a matter of weighing up: Before the oranges spoil, a good option is to store them in the refrigerator. However, this comes at the expense of the fruit sweetness.
When storing in the refrigerator, note that the air cannot circulate well there. If possible, place the oranges next to each other and check them regularly for rotten spots and mold.
also read
- Oranges ripen all year round
- Different ways to freeze oranges
- Orange types and hybrids - great variety in shape and taste
What happens to oranges stored at room temperature?
The classic fruit storage is a fruit bowl that is decorative in the living room or in the kitchen. As beautiful as such a bowl may look, it has some disadvantages:
- Most types of fruit spoil quickly at room temperature
- the fruits are directly next to or on top of each other
- several types of fruit are kept together
Oranges get their full aroma at room temperature, but can only be kept for a few days. Then they become soft and tend to form. If the fruits are close together, this quickly spreads to all oranges - especially if they already have pressure points due to the tightness. It is also a disadvantage if oranges lie in the fruit bowl together with other types of fruit: Apples, pears and bananas evaporate the ripening gas ethylene, which causes other fruits to ripen or spoil. Citrus fruits in particular, such as oranges, will rot under the influence of the gas.
Do you have a storage cellar?
Owners of cool storage cellars can shop for a large number of oranges with peace of mind; Your storage room offers optimal conditions for storing oranges:
- 10 ° C to 15 ° C are good storage temperatures for oranges. They can be kept at these temperatures for a few weeks and retain their sweet aroma.
- Place the fruits next to each other over a large area to avoid pressure points. For example, apple trees are suitable for this.
- Store the oranges separately from other types of fruit so that they are not exposed to the ripening gas ethylene, which would lead to faster rot.
Anyone who does not have a cool storage cellar is well advised not to buy oranges in advance. It is best to consume the freshly purchased fruit within two days.
