Apple and Oranges don’t mix.

Do you have a fruit bowl on the counter or table with apples and oranges in it?  If so, it is time to separate them to extend their shelf life and keep your fruit fresh and crisp.

The best place to store apples is the refrigerator because warmer temperatures will shorten the life of your apples. Keep apples close to 32ºF to extend their shelf life 8 to 10 times longer than apples stored at room temperature.

Citrus is best stored in the refrigerator too.  Use a mesh bag or a basket so air can circulate around them, plastic bags can make them moldy.

Apples and oranges stored together omit a gas that will break them down faster, so if you like your fruit room temperature I suggest take it out the night before and leave on the counter.

Now that you know how to store them let me tell you why you should eat an apple a day.

Apples are one of the healthiest fruit you can eat and that’s why they make the top 10 Best Foods list. Apples are great by themselves and they make an excellent addition to salads or your morning cereal, hot or cold.  For additional ideas on how to incorporate them into your daily diet check out the 5 Quick Tips from Harvard’s School of Public Health.

High in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and trace minerals, while low in sugar and calories.   Apples are a great addition to your daily menu.  They are portable, not messy, and some research suggests regular apple consumption may help reduce the risk of some forms of cancer.

They also taste good too.  So make sure to put them on your grocery list this week and be sure to check out Coborn’s Delivers “good, better, best” ratings before you order your produce.

Stacy Klone

KitchenWerks

KitchenWerks.org

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