Learn why you should store apples separately from other produce. Discover how apples' ethylene gas can cause other fruits and veggies to spoil faster.
1 Answer
Apples release ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process of other fruits and vegetables, causing them to spoil faster. Storing apples separately helps prolong the freshness of your other produce.
Detailed Explanation:
Apples are climacteric fruits, meaning they continue to ripen after being harvested. This ripening process involves the production of ethylene, a natural plant hormone that acts as a ripening agent. When apples are stored near other fruits and vegetables, the ethylene they release triggers or accelerates the ripening process in those nearby items. This can lead to premature spoilage, softening, and a shorter shelf life for your other produce. For example, ethylene can cause bananas to brown quickly, avocados to become overly soft, and leafy greens to wilt. By storing apples separately, you minimize their ethylene exposure to other produce, thus slowing down their ripening and extending their freshness.
Pro Tip:
If you want to ripen an avocado or banana quickly, you can place it in a paper bag with an apple. The ethylene released by the apple will speed up the ripening process.