Which Fruits Belong in the Fridge?

Not all types of fruit can be easily stored in the refrigerator. Tropical fruits in particular are not used to low temperatures and suffer a real cold shock in the cold environment. Local fruit such as apples, pears, berries, plums, grapes or cherries, on the other hand, can be stored in the refrigerator without any problems. Some tropical fruits such as kiwis, apricots, peaches, flat peaches and nectarines can also be stored well in the refrigerator. The low temperatures slow down the ripening process and ensure a longer shelf life. Incidentally, a high degree of ripeness also increases the sugar content of fruit. These types of fruit keep best if they are stored in a plastic storage bag with holes in the crisper at the bottom of the fridge.

Apples should always be stored separately from other types of fruit – this also applies to the refrigerator. During ripening, they give off the ripening gas ethylene, which causes other fruits to ripen and spoil more quickly.

Berries such as strawberries, raspberries or currants are very sensitive and difficult to store for a long period of time. They usually only keep for a few days in the refrigerator, so they should be eaten or used as quickly as possible. If you make sure that the berries do not touch each other when stored in the refrigerator – for example by spreading them on a plate – you ensure that any mold spores do not spread so easily from berry to berry.

Cut fruit can also be stored in the fridge. A cut avocado will keep longer if the pit is left in the fruit half, the cut surface is sprinkled with lemon juice and wrapped in cling film. A pineapple—a fruit that doesn’t normally belong in the fridge—can be kept for a few days by placing it cut-side down on a plate of sugar.

In general, however, you should consume fruit and vegetables as soon as possible after purchase. Because the following applies to all types of fruit: the longer they are stored, the more stored substances the fruit uses up, so that valuable ingredients are lost for humans. Fruit tastes best when it is taken out of the fridge about an hour before eating. Because the taste of the fruit can only develop fully at room temperature.