Storage and Handling
Apples need to be kept
cold immediately after harvest so that they are fresh and crunchy
when they reach their destination. Apple growers use two main
types of storage: cold storage and controlled atmosphere (or CA)
Apples kept in cold
storage are chilled to around zero degrees Celsius. They are kept
at this temperature to slow down their ripening.
CA storage stands for
controlled atmosphere storage. The air that we breathe consists
mostly of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Apples in CA storage
are stored in an airtight room with less oxygen and more carbon
dioxide than there is in the air we breathe everyday. CA storage
extends the life of apples so we can enjoy Nature's Crunchy Munchy
At home, apples should
be stored in your refrigerator in a plastic bag with small holes
in it. It is important to remove from the bag any apples that
are bruised. One bruised apple can spoil the whole bunch!
Just how important is it to store apples in a cold place? Apples
will rot ten times faster at room temperature than they will in
your refrigerator. But don't take our word for it - try it for
You will need:
3 apples - all of the same variety
a piece of aluminum foil
Place the first apple on a table or countertop where the temperature
is around 20 C.
the second apple in the refrigerator.
Wrap the third apple in the sheet of aluminum foil.
Place this apple in the refrigerator, too.
Wait 7 to 10 days; then compare the three apples.
Do any of the apples still look good enough to eat? Which one(s)?
Which apple feels firmest when you touch it? Which feels the softest?
Cut each apple in half. What colour is each of the apples? Which
apple looks the best? Which apple looks the worst?
Smell each of the apples? Which smells the best? Which smells
What do you think is the best way to store apples - at room temperature,
uncovered in the refrigerator, or wrapped in foil in the refrigerator?
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