How to store apples for the winter at home in the cellar, on the balcony and in the refrigerator

There are many ways and rules on how to store apples for the winter at home. At the first stage, good fruits are selected, a place and a container for storage are selected. Fresh fruits contain a vitamin complex necessary for human he alth. Therefore, it is important to observe certain conditions in order to preserve nutrients for a long time. But not all varieties of apples are designed for winter storage.

What varieties of apples can be stored in winter

For long-term storage, only winter varieties of apples are suitable: Golden, Antonovka, Simirenko, Melba, Idared, Zhigulevskoye.Harvesting from these apple trees begins at the end of September and ends before October 9th. During this period, the fruits gain sugar content and fully ripen. Do not collect them earlier or later than the due date. At a temperature of -2 to +3 degrees, fruits remain fresh for 6.5 months, while maintaining taste and benefits.

Autumn varieties of apples are stored less - about two months, provided that the air temperature in the storage is 0 degrees. Popular autumn varieties of apples include: Macintosh, Spartak.

Necessary conditions for preservation

To preserve the taste and benefits of fresh fruits for a long time, certain conditions are created. Particular attention is paid to the container in which the fruits will be stored, the temperature and humidity level in the room, as well as the timing of cleaning:

• Optimal temperature limits for storing harvested crops are within -3 … +4 degrees. With such cool air, apples do not freeze slightly and do not spoil for a long time.
• Wooden or plastic boxes, wicker baskets can be chosen as a capacity for laying the crop. The main thing is that there are many holes around the entire perimeter of the container. Do not store in iron containers.

First, large fruits are placed at the bottom of the selected container, at the very top there should be a row of small apples. By following this rule, it is possible to avoid damage due to the pressure of a large weight.

Council. Do not store apples near potatoes. Straw should not be chosen for storage, it gives an unpleasant taste and smell to the fruit, and also reduces the shelf life.

A properly organized place is the key to a long shelf life of the harvested crop without diseases, pests and decay.

Sorting

Collecting fruits that will be sent for winter storage, it is advisable to do it manually. With a large number of crops, a fruit picker will help to cope. Each plucked apple should be examined from all sides. There should be no dark spots, damage and traces of pests. Such fruits can be dried by first cutting off the spoiled part.

Selection of apples for storage involves several stages:

1. Inspection of the surface of apples and detection of damaged specimens.
2. Selected fruits are placed in a cool place for 10 days.
3. After staying in a cool room, a re-examination is carried out.
4. At this stage, a container for stacking fruits is selected.

Council. It is not recommended to remove the stalk from apples, as it helps to increase the shelf life of the product.

Storage locations

The best place to store the crop is considered to be a cellar, basement, pantry, attic or balcony. The main thing is to maintain optimal temperature and humidity so that the apples do not freeze or, conversely, do not rot from the heat. The humidity level in the room where the crop is stored should be maintained at around 86-95%.

Processing

Apples have a waxy layer on the surface that naturally keeps them from being damaged by pests and contracting diseases. But some experienced gardeners play it safe and carry out additional processing:

• You can treat with an alcohol solution based on propolis. 20 g of propolis is diluted in 100 ml of alcohol. The product is pre-placed in the refrigerator, so that later it is easier to grind with a grater.
• It is recommended to hold the apples for a few seconds in a solution of calcium chloride. Only after this treatment, the fruits are thoroughly washed with warm water and soap before use.
• Each fruit is carefully smeared with glycerin. After complete drying, they begin laying in the prepared container.
• It is useful to dip each fruit in melted paraffin. In this form, they will lie for many months, retaining their juiciness and taste.

With a little more time and effort in pre-treatment, gardeners will get a good result that will delight all family members and guests all winter.

Optimal humidity and temperature

It is important to have information at what temperature it is possible to preserve all the useful trace elements and the taste of the pulp. As already mentioned, the optimum temperature is considered to be 0 degrees. Permissible lower limits are -4 degrees, upper - +4 degrees.

When the air temperature is above +4 degrees, the fruits begin to release a special substance in large quantities - ethylene. This causes early spoilage of the crop. If the temperature is too low, below -2 degrees, the pulp freezes.

Humidity in the room should be high. Ideally, humidity should be between 85-95%. In the event that the fruit becomes sluggish, a container of water should be brought into the room where the crop is stored.

Where to store fruits at home

Each summer resident chooses for himself where it is more convenient for him to store the harvest. It can be a separate barn, cellar, basement. In the absence of such premises, a pantry, an insulated balcony or a loggia are suitable.

On the balcony and loggias

Harvest harvested from apple trees can be successfully stored on the balcony and loggia, but provided that they are glazed. If the balcony is insulated, then boxes and racks are quite suitable for storage. They take up little space and fit a lot of fruit.

Shelving looks like shelves attached to the wall, on which boxes are placed. Drawer shelving is a good option.

In the pantry, hallway, on the windowsill

In an apartment, you can store the harvested crop in boxes, but you will need to allocate a lot of space for them. Therefore, the best option would be to distribute the apples in plastic bags. No more than 2 kg of product is placed in each bag and air holes are made.

In the fridge

A refrigerator is considered a convenient and simple option for storing fruits. Winter varieties are stored for up to several months. The only problem that summer residents face is the small size of the refrigerator and the lack of enough compartments in it.

Rules for storing apples in the refrigerator:

• crop should be moved immediately after harvest;
• fruit does not need to be washed and wiped;
• fruits are sorted into plastic bags of 3 kg;
• holes are made in bags for ventilation;
• each variety has its own conditions and shelf life, so they cannot be mixed.

If there is a need for longer storage, then pre-heat treatment is carried out. Fruits are kept indoors at 28 degrees for three days. These conditions promote the removal of ethylene from the pulp.

In the cellar

The cellar has the best conditions for long-term storage of apples for the winter, but it must first be prepared:

• the entire room inside the cellar (walls, floors, drawers) is being disinfected;
• walls should be whitewashed;
• remove plant debris and other debris;
• ensure sufficient air permeability inside;
• set the desired temperature and humidity.

Council. If the air humidity in the cellar is increased, then a tub of lime is installed. At low humidity, it is recommended to put containers with water.

In the freezer

Fruits can be stored in the freezer as a whole or crushed:

• Apples as a whole are washed, dried, core and stem removed. Frozen product is more suitable for baking.
• Frozen slices are suitable for various pastries. The skin can be peeled or left on.
• A good option would be to make applesauce, which is then frozen.

Frozen fruit retains all its useful components by 90%, but on condition that all the rules were followed.

In boxes

An easy storage option is to store crops in plastic or wood boxes with lots of air holes. At the bottom of the box, white paper is lined, on which apples are neatly laid out. It is advisable to repeat the layer of paper after each row. May be laid in 5-8 rows.

On the shelves

A convenient option is to stack harvested apples on racks. The option is especially suitable for summer residents who have harvested a large crop. It is better if the racks are pulled out.

Methods of packing apples for winter storage

There are many ways to lay apples for the winter. Each gardener chooses the most convenient and suitable option. The basic rule is that every 12-14 days you need to check the harvested crop and remove damaged fruits in time.

Paper wrapping

The method in which each apple is wrapped in newspaper or paper will take more time, but the spoiled product will not affect the neighbors. When laying in a container, you need to make sure that the stalk is turned up. The box can be of any depth, as long as it is breathable. It is permissible to make from 6 to 8 rows.

Sanding

Sprinkling apples with sand will prevent them from freezing. Dry and clean sand is poured into a cardboard box. It is desirable to mix it with ash. The height of the embankment must be at least 3 cm.Then lay out the apples so that the sides do not touch. Again covered with a layer of sand and ash. Up to three rows of harvested fruit are allowed in the box.

Apples are well stored in onion peel, wood shavings, dry birch leaves, and you can also choose moss. Each row of apples is sprinkled with the selected component.

The extra layer allows you to maintain the temperature and humidity at the same recommended level. In addition, the smell of these components repels pests and protects against many infections.

In polyethylene

Good feedback on the option of storing apples in polyethylene. The material allows you to save juiciness and sugar content in the pulp due to the slowdown in gas exchange. No more than 4.5 kg of apples are placed in each plastic bag. Then, with a sharp object, several holes are made over the entire surface of the bag for air to penetrate.

You can pre-distribute the apples on a dense pallet and place the crop with it in a plastic bag.

Causes of premature spoilage and methods of dealing with them

To prolong the freshness and taste of the harvested fruits for a long time, follow a number of recommendations:

• pick fruits preferably by hand, starting from the lower tier of the tree;
• important to follow recommended collection times;
• apples intended for long storage are harvested 1.5 weeks before full ripening;
• harvest in dry, clear weather;
• you can not pick the stem;
• The surface protective layer on the fruit should not be washed off.

The following unfavorable factors can lead to premature rotting of products:

• improper fertilization (non-compliance with dosage and timing);
• excess nitrogen and potassium in the soil;
• lack of calcium in fruits;
• falling into a container with a harvest of damaged, rotten, infected specimens;
• cold summer, long rains;
• non-compliance with storage conditions.

Apples must be properly collected, selected, processed and placed in special containers. The conditions must also meet the basic requirements. In this case, it will be possible to extend the shelf life of the product.

Apple shelf life

How long the crop will be stored depends on many factors: the variety, temperature and humidity in the room, the method of harvesting and the quality of the fruits themselves:

• Summer varieties of apples are stored for no more than a month, but provided that the temperature is from +3 to +7 degrees.
• Autumn species retain their qualities for two months, but only at temperatures from 0 to +6 degrees.
• Winter varieties of apples retain their taste, juiciness and benefits for 6.5 months. The temperature should not be below -4 degrees and above +4 degrees.

Sliced apples will last more than 11 hours in the refrigerator. You can extend the time by placing the slices in a plastic bag with holes. In the package, the appearance of the cut pieces will not deteriorate during the day.

The degree of maturity of the harvested crop affects the shelf life. Unripe fruits will lie for more than 4 months at the required temperature. Ripe fruits begin to deteriorate after a few weeks. At temperatures above +10 degrees, any apples begin to wither.

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