What is the typical shelf life of apples

The shelf life of apples is generally 7 to 30 days, and the actual storage time is affected by various factors such as variety differences, storage temperature, maturity, skin integrity, and humidity conditions. There are significant differences in storage tolerance among different varieties of apples. Late maturing varieties such as Red Fuji can be stored for 20 to 30 days under refrigeration conditions due to their thick skin and dense flesh; Early maturing varieties such as Gala have thinner skin and can only be stored for 7 to 10 days at room temperature. The storage temperature is the decisive factor. A 4 ℃ environment in the refrigerator can significantly delay respiration and extend the shelf life to more than 3 weeks, while a room temperature above 25 ℃ will accelerate water loss and soft rot, shortening the shelf life to about 1 week. The maturity during harvesting directly affects subsequent storage. Immature green fruits contain more fruit acids and tannins, and their storage period is extended by 5 to 7 days compared to fully ripe fruits. Apples with mechanical damage or insect infestation on the surface are prone to microbial invasion from the wound, leading to local decay. Even under refrigerated conditions, these fruits can only be preserved for 3 to 5 days. Excessive humidity can promote mold growth, while low humidity can cause dehydration and wrinkling. Maintaining a relative humidity of around 85%, combined with breathable packaging, can maximize the freshness of apples.

It is recommended to place apples in the refrigerator's vegetable and fruit preservation box and keep the original packaging to avoid mixing them with fruits such as bananas that release a large amount of ethylene. Regularly check and remove individuals who have started to soften, and intact apples can be frozen into apple chunks for long-term storage. When purchasing, choose fruits with fresh stems, intact fruit frost, and no bruises. Using vacuum sealed bags for packaging can further extend storage time.