5 Long-Lasting Fruits That Take Weeks to Spoil, According to Food Scientists
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/long-lasting-fruit-GettyImages-1830977162-e7685f43a530448ebc4f5ae1dad026da.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "5 Long-Lasting Fruits That Take Weeks to Spoil, According to Food Scientists")
Key Points
- Apples, citrus, and a variety of berries are among some of the longest lasting fruits.
- These fruits have properties that slow down the ripening process, including a thick skin, high pectin content, high acidity, and low production of ethylene gas.
- To maximize the lifespan of each fruit, store them in the refrigerator and limit exposure to moisture.
There’s a lot we can do to save money on groceries: shopping with a full stomach, planning meals around sales, and storing food properly. But when it comes to perishable items like fresh fruit, it also helps to focus on options that have a long shelf life. After all, when you know which varieties naturally last a long time, it will be easy to regularly keep fruit on hand while reducing waste and shopping trips. To start, reach for these long-lasting fruits, as recommended by food scientists.
Apples
Apples have impressively long lifespans, making them a fruit bowl staple. This is due to several factors, including their high content of pectin—a type of fiber that provides structure, which helps slow down softening over time, explains food scientist Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D. Apples also “have a natural waxy protective layer on their skins called ‘bloom,’ which looks like a powdery white coating,” says Le. This reduces moisture loss and provides more structure, thereby delaying deterioration. What’s more, “apples produce relatively low amounts of ethylene gas, which further slows ripening,” notes Kimberly Baker, Ph.D., RD, LD, director of the Clemson Extension Food Systems and Safety Program Team.
When stored at room temperature, apples can last a few weeks, but refrigeration can extend their shelf-life to several months, per Le. The cool temperatures help by slowing down the ripening process, according to Baker.
Citrus Fruits
For a fruit with a long shelf-life, reach for citrus like oranges, grapefruits, and clementines. “Citrus has a naturally long shelf-life thanks to its thick peel,” shares Baker. Not only does this peel protect the fruit, but it also contains an oil with antimicrobial properties that slow down spoilage, she adds. Plus, like apples, citrus fruits contain pectin, which delays softening by providing structure, per Le.
“Citrus fruits can stay fresh for up to eight weeks when stored in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator,” explains Baker. To maintain its quality, do your best to limit humidity, as excess moisture can dry out the skin or promote mold growth, says Baker.
Grapes
Like apples, grapes naturally have a waxy, whitish coating on their skin. This layer provides structure to the grapes while preventing moisture loss, keeping the fruit fresh for a long time, per Le.
“Grapes are best stored in the refrigerator, and can last up to a few weeks when stored this way,” explains Le. The cool temperatures will slow down the natural deterioration of the fruit while preventing the growth of mold, he says.
Cranberries
Many berries are highly perishable, but cranberries are an exception. The reason? “They last longer than most other berries due to their high acidity, which slows spoilage,” explains Baker. Cranberries also have a firm skin, which helps retain moisture and keeps them fresh, says Baker.
To get the most out of your cranberries, store them in a sealed plastic container in the refrigerator. Be sure to “remove as much air as possible to reduce humidity and prevent deterioration,” says Baker. When stored properly, cranberries can last up to two weeks, according to the experts at Penn State University.
Blueberries
Blueberries, like cranberries, have a thick skin. This helps prevent moisture loss, delaying spoilage, says Baker. “They also have a slower respiration rate than many other fruits, which further extends their shelf life,” notes Baker.
When storing blueberries, the best practice is to refrigerate them in a sealed plastic container, says Baker. Here, they’ll stay fresh for one to two weeks.
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