How and how many pineapples can be stored at home, rules and conditions
Many people wonder how pineapple can be stored. Under optimal conditions, these foods can stay fresh for a long time. Unripe fruit can be stored at room temperature. This will ensure a gradual maturation. To preserve ripe fruits, it is best to place them in the refrigerator. It is also allowed to freeze or dry the fruit. In addition, canned fruits are distinguished by a long storage period.
Requirements for the fruit for long-term storage
It is allowed to keep only ripe fruits without damage. There are a number of characteristics to consider when choosing a fruit.
sniff
Quality pineapple has a distinct fruity aroma. Overripe fruit smells too bright and too rich. At the same time, greens have almost no aroma.
Peel
When you squeeze the pineapple, its skin should immediately return to its original state.
Leaves
In an unripe fruit, the leaves do not separate. In addition, in overripe pineapple, they are yellow and dry. The foliage of a quality ripe fruit is easy to remove, but retains its bright green color.
pulp color
A ripe fruit has a rich yellow pulp. It's uniform. The lower the degree of ripeness, the paler the pulp.Overripe and spoiled fruits have a watery structure and are covered with dark spots.
Optimal storage conditions at home
Pineapple storage time is influenced by temperature and humidity parameters. The initial state of the fruit is not negligible.
Costs
To maximize the shelf life of fresh fruit, follow these guidelines:
- Store fruit in the refrigerator. It is best to do this in the vegetable drawer.
- The optimum temperature for the fruit is + 8-10 degrees. Lower settings result in loss of flavor. If they are higher, there is a risk of rapid damage to the fetus.
- Humidity should be 90%. A decrease in this indicator leads to wilting of the fruit. If you store pineapple in a more humid environment, it will mold.
- Before storage, pineapple should be wrapped in paper. It is recommended to leave a small hole. When the wrap becomes wet, it is recommended to change it immediately.
- Instead of paper, it is allowed to use a bag. In this case, it is worth making a large number of holes in order to avoid decay processes.
If the refrigerator has a special compartment for storing fruit, pineapple can be kept cool even longer.
Canned
This fruit has an excellent taste and a pleasant aroma. The jar also contains a sweet syrup that can be drunk or used in cooking. Canned fruits keep well for 1 year. After opening the jar, it is recommended to use them within 24 hours. Otherwise, there is a risk of active reproduction of fungi and bacteria.
Dried
This pineapple contains fewer nutrients and vitamins than fresh pineapple. However, it has a long shelf life and great taste. Dried slices can be stored for 8-10 months.
How to store in the refrigerator
It is recommended to store this product at a temperature of + 8-10 degrees and a humidity of 90%. These conditions are provided by a fruit drawer. With other fruits, pineapple can be kept for 10 days.
If the fruit is wrapped in paper or a cloth bag, the shelf life is extended to 12 days. In addition, the use of packaging helps to avoid the absorption of unpleasant odors.
When storing fruits in the refrigerator, it is recommended to turn them several times a day. If condensation appears on the paper, wipe the fruit with a towel and change the packaging.
Store peeled and cut fruit in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be plastic or glass. The shelf life in such a situation is a maximum of 5 days. To store pineapple slices, the plate should be tight with cling film and put in the fridge. At the same time, it will stay fresh for a maximum of 2 days.
Freezing rules
Pineapple can also be stored in the freezer. It should be remembered that after defrosting it will partially lose its taste, but this is not critical. Such a product can be used for the preparation of various dishes. To freeze pineapple, follow these steps:
- Cut off the top and stem. Place the fruit on a board and peel it with a sharp knife.
- Cut the pineapple pulp into random slices. These can be circles, segments, cubes.
- Take a board or baking sheet, cover with parchment paper, put the fruit slices and put in the freezer for 3-4 hours.
Remove the prepared pineapple from the parchment, put it in a bag and place it in the freezer. It is allowed to store fruits in this way for 3-4 months.It is not recommended to freeze and thaw the product again, as it will lose its beneficial substances.
Ripening pineapple
When buying an unripe pineapple, it must meet certain conditions. This will help it ripen in just 2-3 days. For this, it is recommended to place the fruit in a dark place. In this case, the air humidity should be 80-90%. The room temperature should be + 20-25 degrees. It should be borne in mind that there must be good ventilation in this place. Therefore, putting pineapple in the cupboard is not worth it.
It is recommended to put the greenish fruit on its side and systematically turn it over. To speed up the ripening process, it is worth placing ethylene-emitting fruits nearby. This gas considerably speeds up the process of reaching maturity. Apples are a great option.
To speed up ripening even more, the pineapple should be wrapped in several layers of paper. It should be checked daily. When the fruit is ripe, it should be immediately transferred to the refrigerator. This will help avoid the decay process.
Typically, under optimal conditions, the fruit becomes ripe and juicy after 3 days. After this period, it is allowed to be consumed. Cutting off the top with the leaves and turning the pineapple over can hasten ripening.
Mold prevention
Pineapple can mold during long-term storage. The risk of this problem is increased in a room with high air humidity and temperatures above +11 degrees. Therefore, ripe fruits should be stored in the refrigerator, observing the optimal parameters of humidity and temperature. For prevention, the fetus should be examined regularly. The appearance of the first signs of plaque requires appropriate measures. In this case, the fruit must be peeled, cut and eaten.It is also allowed to freeze it.
It is not recommended to store unripe pineapples in the refrigerator. In this case, the likelihood of mold formation increases significantly. Also, fruit should not be wrapped in plastic. It will also lead to the appearance of plaque. Observance of pineapple storage conditions will allow it to remain ripe for a long time. However, experts advise against storing this fruit for more than 1-1.5 weeks. Therefore, it is not recommended to purchase it for future use.