Apples are making a big comeback on our autumn plates. Considered a true “super fruit”, apples are low in calories and rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. In pies, compotes, crumbles or simply roasted in the oven, apples are easily used in a multitude of preparations that are as healthy as they are tasty.
How to store apples properly
Apples are robust fruits that can be stored for several weeks, even several months if they are well chosen and stored correctly. The first reflex is obviously to select the right apples. Choose apples that are ripe, but not too ripe, check that the skin is smooth and free of spots or bruises.
Once you have chosen your apples, keep them in a cool, dry place, ideally between 2 and 4°C, such as the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. If you leave them out in the open, keep them well away from other fruits that emit ethylene, such as bananas, to prevent them from ripening too quickly. Also avoid letting the apples touch each other to limit the risk of spreading rot if one of the fruits deteriorates. This way, you can keep your apples fresh for up to 6 months.
The trick to saving wilted apples
Even if you have followed all these storage tips, apples can still dehydrate and eventually wilt. But there is no point throwing them away! To freshen up your apples, simply dip them in a pan of boiling water for about a minute. Then, remove them, drain them and let them cool to room temperature. Since apples are largely composed of water, when they lose moisture, their skin wrinkles and their flesh softens. By plunging them into hot water, they will absorb some of the lost water and thus regain their beauty.
