Why shouldn't you refrigerate apples?

Author: Jocelyn Friesen  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

That's right. Apples do best in an environment with 90% humidity. Did you know that your refrigerator is a natural dehydrator? It's easy to see this if you have ever left apples (or other produce for that matter) in the crisper for a while only to slide open that drawer and find a very shriveled up piece of fruit.

Why should you not put apples in the fridge?

The Drawbacks of Refrigerating Apples While refrigeration can help to extend the freshness of your apples, it can also affect their flavor and texture. Apples stored in the refrigerator may develop a mealier texture and lose some of their natural sweetness.

Which fruit should not be refrigerated?

Fruits that should not be refrigerated include bananas, apples, melons, and berries. Keep in mind that many fruits will ripen more quickly when left at room temperature but will stay fresh longer if refrigerated once ripe.

What happens to apples when you put them in the fridge?

❄️ The refrigerator 🧊 helps to slow down the ripening process and preserve the freshness of apples, making them last longer. This is especially important if you want to store them for several weeks. However, keep in mind that the cold temperature may affect their texture over time.

Can apples be left unrefrigerated?

At room temperature, apples will last about 5 to 7 days.

Beyond that, they begin to degrade in quality and nutritional content. They begin to lose their flavor and freshness and either shrivel or get mushy. Once that happens, most people would rather toss them than eat them.

Good Question: Should Apples Be Refrigerated?

How long can you store apples without refrigeration?

While apples will last a few days unrefrigerated, they can last for weeks in your refrigerator's crisper drawer or even months in the freezer. So stock up on apples and put them to good use, like in these 23 Healthy Apple Recipes to Keep You Warm & Cozy This Fall.

Should you refrigerate bananas?

A warm kitchen is therefore not the best place for your bananas. Pop them into the fridge: If you want to store your bananas correctly, you can certainly store them in the fridge. However, they should be ripe when you put them in as they will not ripen any further in the cool environment.

How long before apples go bad in fridge?

You can store apples in the refrigerator to give them a longevity boost. When stored in the fridge, expect apples to last for about six weeks, if not longer. For the best results, carefully place the apples in the crisper drawer in your refrigerator and store them away from other fruits and vegetables.

Should I refrigerate oranges?

Oranges prefer a cool, dark place. This makes the refrigerator an ideal place for storing oranges. Sunlight and warm temperatures will speed the ripening of oranges, decreasing their shelf-life.

Do grapes need to be refrigerated?

Storing grapes at room temperature will lead them to become inedible within a couple of days. You can prolong their shelf life by refrigerating the fruits, boosting their viability up to a little over a week. Freeze your grape haul if you plan to use them sporadically over a year or so.

Why shouldn't watermelon be kept in the fridge?

Many people make the mistake of keeping watermelon in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling quickly. However, by doing this, the antioxidants present in it are reduced, and its nutritional value also diminishes.

What 12 foods should not be refrigerated?

22 foods not to refrigerate
  • Apples.
  • Avocados.
  • Bananas.
  • Bell peppers.
  • Berries.
  • Bread.
  • Chocolate.
  • Coffee.

Do pineapples need to be refrigerated?

Whole pineapple should be left at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe, place whole pineapple, uncovered, in the refrigerator. To store cut pineapple, seal in a GladWare® food protection container. Store in the refrigerator.

Do apples lose nutrients when refrigerated?

Our overall takeaway: Refrigeration is a great option to extend shelf life, preserve freshness, and any losses in nutrient content are (generally) negligible!

Should you refrigerate lemons?

Lemons are best kept in the fridge. Stashed in the fridge in the crisper drawer or on a shelf, fresh lemons will keep for two weeks or more. If you really want your lemons to last, keep them in a sealed container (there are even specialty produce keepers for this purpose) or a resealable plastic bag.

Do strawberries need to be refrigerated?

Where is the best place to store strawberries? Unless you plan to use the strawberries right away, it's best to store them in your refrigerator to preserve freshness. Unrefrigerated, berries will last only a few days; stored in the fridge, they could last up to a week.

Should you refrigerate onions?

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

For this reason, he says it's best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. What About the Refrigerator? While whole onions can be stored whole in the fridge, it's not recommended.

How to keep apples fresh longer?

Two methods edged out all others, keeping the apples at peak freshness for a full six weeks (and likely well beyond). The winning method — individually wrapping apples in newspaper and storing them in a pantry — only slightly edged out storing them in a paper bag in the fridge's crisper drawer.

When not to eat apples?

The apple is safe to eat as long as there are no signs of mold. However, it's best to avoid fruits with bruises, skin breaks and other signs of damage, as they are prone to mold. If you purchase apples in a bag, check the expiration date. Make sure they have no signs of mold or holes caused by insects.

Should I refrigerate bananas?

Yes, you can absolutely store bananas in the fridge. Just keep in mind that the cool, dry climate slows the ripening process, which is why bananas aren't refrigerated in the supermarket. In other words, if you put green, unripe bananas in the fridge, they're likely to stay that way.

Will sliced apples turn brown in a Ziploc bag?

If you're storing sliced apples in a plastic container or baggie where there's no way for any residual moisture to evaporate out of them, then those slices will dry out quickly, which will cause them to turn brown.

Can you refrigerate scrambled eggs?

Cooked eggs and egg dishes may be refrigerated for serving later but should be thoroughly reheated to 165° F before serving. Never leave cooked eggs or egg dishes out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F.

Can you refrigerate peanut butter?

An open jar of peanut butter stays fresh up to three months in the pantry. After that, it's recommended to store the peanut butter in the fridge (where it can maintain its quality for another 3-4 months).

Can dogs eat bananas?

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

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