Here's How You Should Really Be Storing Your Apples

Is there anything worse than biting into a mealy apple? Answer: No. To get your apples to stay crisp and delicious as long as possible, it's all about storage. Improperly storing this tasty fruit can lead to spoilage in just a few days. And unlike overripe bananas, there's not much one can do with grainy apples. 

Maintaining the shelf life of apples for as long as possible starts with proper selection. According to Food & Wine, at the store or orchard you'll want to look for smaller apples with thick skin. Norm Schultz, farm manager at Linvilla Orchards in Media, Pennsylvania told the site, "Also, for some reason the tarter apples store longer than the sweeter apples." Good thing Granny Smith apples are super yummy.

Once you have picked the best of the bunch, where you store the fruit is key. But is the counter or fridge more ideal for apple storage?

"Apples are not a fan of the warmth, so best to store them in the fridge, specifically in the crisper drawer, unless you are planning to eat them within 2-3 days, in which case you can keep them on the counter," Maggie Michalcyzk, MS, RD told Cooking Light. But beware of what you store close to your apples because this finicky fruit can absorb the flavor of other foods like onion. Eww! Also keep in mind that a rotten apple or one that has just one brown spot can ruin other apples and fruits stored nearby because it emits ethylene faster. 

Although apples may seem high-maintenance, the good news is they last a long time compared to other fruits like berries and bananas. On the counter, an apple is good to eat for up to a week, while in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator (the ideal temperature for apple storage is 31 to 35 degrees), an apple can last for an entire month. Thanks, technology!

So, the fridge it is if you want to get the most out of a versatile fruit that can be eaten straight out of the bag, enjoyed in pies, or pureed into sauce. How do you like them apples?