Oranges are a popular type of fruit in this country, especially in winter. Unfortunately, the fruit tends to mold quickly, which is why a few points must be observed when storing the fruit, also known as the orange, in order to achieve an optimal shelf life.

Oranges are best kept in crates in the basement

What happens to oranges stored in the fridge?

In general, storing oranges in the fridge is not recommended. There is a good reason for this: the tropical fruits quickly lose their aroma if 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 fruit stays fresh for up to five months. So it's a matter of weighing up: before the oranges spoil, storing them in the fridge is a good option. However, this is at the expense of the sweetness of the fruit.
When storing in the refrigerator, note that the air cannot circulate well there. So place the oranges next to each other if possible and check them regularly for rotten spots and mold.

What happens to oranges stored at room temperature?

The classic when it comes to fruit storage is a fruit bowl that stands decoratively in the living room or in the kitchen. As beautiful as such a bowl may look, it does have some disadvantages:

  • Room temperature causes most types of fruit to spoil quickly
  • the fruits are directly next to each other or on top of each other
  • several types of fruit are kept together

Oranges get their full aroma at room temperature, but they only keep for a few days. Then they become soft and tend to mold. If the fruits are close together, this quickly spreads to all oranges - especially if they already have bruises due to the narrowness. It is also a disadvantage if oranges are in the fruit bowl together with other types of fruit: apples, pears and bananas emit the ripening gas ethylene, which causes other fruits to ripen or spoil. Citrus fruits in particular, such as oranges, become rotten under the influence of the gas.

Do you have a storage room?

Cool storage cellar owners can buy larger quantities of oranges with peace of mind; their storage room offers optimal conditions for storing oranges:

  • 10°C to 15°C are good storage temperatures for oranges. At these temperatures, they will keep for a few weeks and retain their sweet aroma.
  • Lay the fruit flat next to each other to avoid bruising. Apple crates, for example, are suitable for this.
  • Store the oranges separately from other types of fruit to avoid exposure to the ripening gas ethylene, which would lead to rapid rot.

If you don't have a cool storage room available, it's a good idea not to buy oranges in advance. It is best to consume the freshly bought fruit within two days.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden