How to Store Apples After Pick-Your-Own?

To avoid wasting your beautiful apple harvest, you can of course give some to friends and family or make your best applesauce recipes. But did you know that it is also possible to keep your apples fresh and crisp for several weeks, or even several months depending on the variety?

Sort Them as Soon as You Return From the Orchard

Before storing your harvest, take a few minutes to carefully sort your apples. Set aside those that are intact and free of bruises for longer storage.

Damaged apples should instead be eaten or cooked quickly. Since they deteriorate faster, they could speed up the ripening of the fruit around them.

Focus on Cool Temperatures and Humidity

Apples love the cold! To prevent them from softening too quickly, the goal is to slow down their ripening and preserve their moisture.

In the Refrigerator

Placing your apples in the crisper drawer is the simplest method for everyday storage. Keep them in a perforated plastic bag to retain moisture while limiting condensation.

In a Cellar or Insulated Garage

If you have picked a large quantity of apples, choose a dark, cool and well-ventilated place, ideally between 1°C and 4°C. However, make sure the temperature never drops below freezing.

Store Apples Properly

If you store your apples in crates or cardboard boxes, avoid stacking them too high so they do not get crushed. You can also separate the rows with paper or use compartmentalized trays.

Check your harvest regularly and quickly remove any apple that begins to soften or show signs of deterioration. A single damaged apple can compromise the storage of the rest of the batch.

Since apples naturally release ethylene, a gas that speeds up the ripening of certain fruits and vegetables, it is best to store them separately from foods that are sensitive to this gas.

Adapt Storage According to the Variety

Not all apples can be stored in the same way. Their shelf life depends in particular on their variety, their level of ripeness at the time of picking and the conditions in which they are stored.

Varieties to Eat More Quickly

Apples picked early in the season, such as Paulared, generally have tender and juicy flesh. They are ideal for eating shortly after picking or turning into delicious applesauce.

Varieties That Keep Longer

Some varieties harvested later, such as Cortland, Honeycrisp, Empire or Spartan, can retain their crispness for several months when stored under the right conditions.

What to Do With Extra Apples?

If your harvest exceeds your storage capacity, don’t panic! Turn your extra apples into applesauce, apple butter or oven-dried apple slices for healthy snacks. You can also freeze your already prepared pies so you can enjoy them later.

Need inspiration? Come visit us at the orchard shop to discover our ciders and our artisanal apple treats!

Ready for Your Next Trip to the Orchard?

Every year, pick-your-own is a magical fall tradition to share with family or friends. We look forward to welcoming you to Vergers Petit et Fils!