Should you store apples near other fruits? No. Learn how the ethylene gas from apples can cause other produce to spoil much faster.
1 Answer
Storing apples near other fruits can accelerate their ripening and potentially lead to spoilage due to the ethylene gas apples release. It's best to store them separately if you want to prolong the freshness of other fruits.
Detailed Explanation:
Apples are known to produce ethylene, a natural plant hormone that acts as a ripening agent. When apples are stored near other fruits and vegetables, the ethylene they release can cause these other items to ripen much faster than they normally would. This can lead to over-ripening, softening, and ultimately, spoilage.
Fruits particularly susceptible to ethylene include bananas, avocados, tomatoes, and melons. If you want these fruits to ripen quickly, storing them with apples can be beneficial. However, if you want to maintain their freshness for a longer period, it's best to keep them separate.
To minimize the effects of ethylene, you can store apples in the refrigerator, which slows down the production of the gas. You can also use ethylene-absorbing products, such as ethylene-absorbing bags or containers, to further reduce the impact on nearby produce. Proper ventilation can also help dissipate the ethylene gas.
Pro Tip:
Store apples in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator's crisper drawer. The bag helps contain moisture, preventing the apples from drying out, while the perforations allow for some air circulation to reduce ethylene buildup.