Yes. Learn how storing apples near leafy greens can cause the greens to wilt and yellow faster due to the ethylene gas apples release.
1 Answer
Yes, storing apples with leafy greens can cause the greens to spoil faster due to the ethylene gas released by the apples. Ethylene accelerates the ripening process.
Detailed Explanation:
Apples, like many fruits, naturally produce ethylene gas as they ripen. This gas acts as a plant hormone, influencing various processes like fruit ripening and leaf abscission (shedding). While ethylene is beneficial for ripening fruits, it can be detrimental to other produce, particularly leafy greens. Leafy greens are highly sensitive to ethylene, and exposure to it can cause them to yellow, wilt, and decay more quickly. Therefore, storing apples in close proximity to leafy greens will expose the greens to higher concentrations of ethylene, shortening their shelf life and affecting their overall freshness. To maintain the quality of both apples and leafy greens, it's best to store them separately.
Pro Tip:
Store apples in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, away from leafy greens and other ethylene-sensitive vegetables like broccoli and lettuce, to prolong the freshness of all your produce.