Should You Refrigerate Apples to Keep Them Fresh? Here's What the Experts Say (2024)

Whether you're a fan of Macoun, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or heirloom varietals, chances are you enjoy these fall fruits when they're crisp, juicy, sweet, and maybe a little tart—which is why it's wise to know how to store apples properly. No matter your favorite type, or whether you bought it at the grocery store, farmers market, or a local orchard, apples won't necessarily maintain that optimal state unless you store them properly. We spoke to experts to find out how to keep apples fresh for as long as possible, including whether refrigeration—or the countertop—is the best storage method.

How to Store Apples

Like other pome fruits such as pears and quince, apples should generally be kept in a cool, dry, shaded place, says Ken Wortz, the head distiller for Sauvage Distillery in Charlottesville, N.Y., which makes its signature product, Upstate Vodka, entirely from New York State apples. But there are some storage variables:

House atmosphere: "The best place to store apples is going to depend on your own environmental conditions (such as how warm or humid it is in your home)," says Laura Scheck, chef, educator, and the founder of Teaching Table.

Time and place: How long you want to store the apples and where and how you store other vegetables are also considerations, adds Scheck. For instance, apples can last up to 10 months in a low-temperature root cellar.

Refrigerator vs. Countertop

Both the countertop and the refrigerator are reliable options for apple storage. It ultimately comes down to how long you want to store the apples.

• Long-term: If you want to extend the shelf life of your apples, Wortz and Scheck agree that the crisper drawer of your refrigerator is a great place to store them. "They can last six to eight weeks stored in a refrigerator," says Wortz.
• Environmental factors: If, as noted, your room temperature is on the warm side, says Scheck, the refrigerator is ideal for storing apples for any length of time.
• Short-term: The countertop is an option for shorter storage; apples can last one to two weeks there.

Why Apples Need to Be Stored Apart From Other Fruits

Wherever you choose to store them, keep apples away from other fruits. "Apples release the gaseous hormone ethylene, which will cause other fruits and vegetables to ripen faster, especially if the apples themselves are bruised or overripe," says Scheck. if you don't want to encourage the ripening of other produce, Schenck suggests storing apples as follows:

• In a plastic tub or a bag in the fridge.
• In their own produce drawer in the refrigerator,
• In a separate fruit bowl, away from other fruits, or in a paper bag, on the countertop.

Remove Bruised Apples

That adage about one bad apple spoiling the bunch is actually what happens to your prized Pippin or Crispin varietals if left to their own devices. "Be sure to remove blemishes or consume apples with bruises and blemishes quickly, as these will encourage the remaining apples to rot," says Scheck. Wortz agrees: "If you are storing many apples together, it is good to keep checking them as one bad apple will also ruin the others."

How Long Apples Last

If you purchase apples in the grocery store, there's a good chance that they've been around the block, so to speak., "Store-bought apples have already been stored and spent time in transit," says Wortz. "If they are kept in cold storage, they can be good for months from the date they are picked. Once you buy them, though, they will last one week out of the refrigerator and six to eight weeks in the refrigerator."

Cut Apples

Once apples are cut, Scheck says they should be put in the fridge as soon as possible. And to prevent browning, "wrap them tightly in plastic or beeswax wrap and consume within a few days," she says. She also suggests squeezing some lemon juice on the pieces to inhibit discoloration.

Preventing Food Waste

Remember that slightly damaged apples can still be used in recipes. Simply remove and discard the bruised or blemished parts, says Scheck. "Cook them down into an applesauce or compote that can be used later for a pie or turnover filling, or juice them and freeze the juice for another day. Just use them!"