Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (2024)

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January 24, 2023

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Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (1)

If you’ve been in thegrocery storelately you have probably noticed lots of oranges in the stores and if you bought them, you might have asked yourself,how long does an orange last?When washed properly, the answer is that it can last for weeks!

Oranges in the Winter

Did you get oranges as a gift over the holidays? You may not think of an orange when you think of Christmas stocking stuffers, however throughout history, people have filled their Christmas stockings with them. My husband and I actually grew up with this tradition as well. There are a few legends that surround why this became a tradition, but to keep it simple, oranges were considered a luxury during the winter months.

Currently, harvest season for oranges here in the US depends on which region they are grown in. There are different varieties of oranges that have different harvest times. But in California, the season is December through April, which is why many of us are seeing so manyof them in thegrocery storeright now.

Hand Picked Oranges from Papa Citrus

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (3)

Speaking of California, there is an orange farm in Oroville,Papa Citrus, that I order my freshly picked oranges from. Papa Citrus started back in the early 1930s and are a family-owned farm that goes back generations. They’re the oldest and last heirloom navel ranch in NorCal! I love that they choose not to use conventional techniques, like harvesting early, using gasses, or keeping them in cold storage. They literally pick them off the trees and ship thewhole orangesstraight to your door! These are my favorite types of businesses to support and I love getting a fruit box in the mail. Papa Citrus holds a special place in my heart since I grew up on a farm that can be traced back five generations.

Besides the high level of Vitamin C that fresh they give you (which is particularly nice for cold and flu season), I enjoy adding them to afestive simmer pot, which I heat on my stove to make my house smell like Christmas. I also like to dehydrate them (hereis what I use to do this), and use them in a garland I hang up in my kitchen.

I recently made these honey sliced oranges from theBall Canning book. You can check out this video onYouTubeto see how I made them. They were so good! I used mywater bath cannerto do this.

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (4)

How to Wash and Store Whole Oranges

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (5)

To wash them, placethe whole orangein a large bowl with 10 cups of water and ¼ cup distilled white vinegar. Allow them to sit in the mixture for 2 minutes, then remove. This will remove harmful bacteria and mold spores. Set them out on a towel atroom temperatureto dry completely before storing.

The Best Way to Make Your Oranges Last Longer:

  • Store them in your refrigerator crisper drawer, as opposed toroom temperature. If your garage is around the same temperature as your refrigerator, you can store them there too.
  • Store with lemons and avocados in the crisper drawer to increase the shelf life.
  • Sufficient airflow is important. I store my oranges in a wire basket, ceramic basket weavefruit bowl,or amesh bag.

You can usually smell which orange is going bad before you can see it. So, whenever you go to grab an orange, take a quick peek/sniff at the oranges that are left to see how they are all doing. You can also look for soft spots and a soft texture or signs of spoilage after a few weeks.

I’m not a fan of peeling oranges and avoid it whenever I can by enjoyingcut orangesinstead. My husband has this technique where he rolls them in his hands before peeling. He says it makes it easier. I’m not sure if there is some sort of science behind his technique, but it seems to work for him. I found thishelpful littletoolthat I’ve used before and really like.

Beware of Using a Fruit Bowl on Your Kitchen Counter

Many people love the look of a prettyfruit bowlfull of fresh fruits on their kitchen counter, but this can actually be harmful to your citrus fruits. Apples and bananas will cause you to have rotten oranges faster than when they are stored on their own or in the refrigerator. Keep oranges away from these fresh fruits and out of direct sunlight for best results.

Oranges are produce buddies with lemons and avocados, so they can all be stored together in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. If you do not have them in the refrigerator, keep them in a dark place and avoid any humid areas. A cool dry place is the best place to keep your oranges in good condition and they will last a long time.

There are many different varieties of oranges to enjoy. Navel and mandarin are two of the most common varieties of oranges.

Storing Your Cut Oranges

After your oranges have been sliced, it is beststore them in an airtight container. An airtight container will allow them to last longer than a plastic bag or plastic wrap.Cut orangesstored in a glass jar is also a great way to have a healthy snack on hand for everyone in the family to enjoy.

I love having this citrus fruit in our household at this time of year. They really brighten things up since it is usually gray and rainy where we are. Adding them to teas, desserts and even a festive co*cktail are all great ways to enjoy them this holiday season (and sneak in some Vitamin C to support your immune system).

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (6)

Learn more about how long other fruit items can last in my eBook,I Bought It, Now What?which includestips for over 50 produce items.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you purchase through my links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. For more information, please read my Disclaimer

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (7)

Amy Cross

Hi, I’m Amy! I’m a wife, mom, author, speaker, influencer and Founder of The Cross Legacy.Eating fresh produce has always been important to me and my family, but during a season of my life when I struggled with... To learn more, click the 🔗 button above this bio.

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Tags: food storage, fruit

By Amy Cross

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer (2024)

FAQs

Oranges: How To Get Your Fresh Oranges to Last Longer? ›

Oranges and tangerines keep best in cold places—to maximize quality, the crisper drawer in your fridge will prove most fruitful. Oranges in the fridge will stay fresh for up to an entire month. Meanwhile, oranges placed on the countertop will only last for a week.

How to keep oranges fresh for a long time? ›

How to Store Whole Oranges
  1. Don't wash the oranges until right before you plan to eat them, as excess moisture will speed up the spoiling process.
  2. Place the dry oranges in a zip-top bag or airtight storage container.
  3. Store in the crisper drawer of your fridge for up to a month.
Jan 3, 2022

Why are my oranges going bad so fast? ›

Once picked, there are two major threats to the fruit's longevity: microbes that can hasten spoilage, and the natural ongoing respiration of the fruit that, while essential to its growth and maturation, eventually contributes to a decline in flavor and texture.

Why are my oranges molding so fast? ›

Food that has a high-water content will mold faster than others. This is because mold draws from the moisture content for growth. Fruits and berries, cucumbers, and bell peppers are all high-water content produce. These will mold before other foods in the refrigerator or on the counter.

How do you make cutie oranges last longer? ›

To keep Cuties Clementines as sweet and fresh as possible, simply store them in the refrigerator. The cooler temperature will keep them juicy and fresh for two to three weeks. It's hard to believe there was a time when Cuties®, nature's perfect little fruit, was unknown to American moms and kids.

How do you increase the shelf-life of oranges? ›

Oranges and tangerines keep best in cold places—to maximize quality, the crisper drawer in your fridge will prove most fruitful. Oranges in the fridge will stay fresh for up to an entire month. Meanwhile, oranges placed on the countertop will only last for a week.

Does freezing oranges make them last longer? ›

Oranges will not ripen or get sweeter after picking, so it is important to use fresh, ripe oranges. Smoothies are a popular way of using frozen fruit but frozen citrus can also be used in cakes and baked goods if a recipe calls for puréed oranges. Frozen oranges will stay fresh for 6 months to 1 year.

Is it better to keep oranges on the counter or in the fridge? ›

Oranges can be kept at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you are not going to eat them that quickly, store them in the refrigerator. Oranges can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Does refrigerating oranges make them last longer? ›

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 oranges get sweeter if left on tree longer? ›

Citrus do not ripen off the tree. Once picked, they won't get sweeter or juicier. Bitter or dry oranges often were just picked too early. In addition, oranges benefit from “a kiss of cold” (overnight temperatures in the 30s) to bring out their natural sugars.

Can you eat oranges if one is moldy? ›

When you find a few moldy pieces of fruit inside a container, throw out the moldy fruit and any pieces of fruit that are directly touching them. Take a close look at the remaining pieces of fruit: if there are no signs of mold and the fruit is not overly mushy, thoroughly wash the fruit prior to consuming.

How to prevent fruit from molding so fast? ›

What's the best way to keep fresh fruit from molding? Maybe you saw this coming, maybe you didn't, but here it is: Refrigerate your fruit. “Molds prefer warmer temperatures, so when things are refrigerated, they won't mold as quickly,” says Simon. Simon refrigerates all fresh fruit she buys except apples and bananas.

How do you prevent orange mold? ›

Some effective methods for preventing the spread include:
  1. Improve Ventilation: Proper ventilation is essential for mould prevention. ...
  2. Repair Water Leaks: Water leaks can provide an ideal environment for mould growth. ...
  3. Maintain Humidity Levels: Keep your home's humidity level between 30% and 50%.

How to store oranges to keep them fresh? ›

The Best Way to Make Your Oranges Last Longer:

Store them in your refrigerator crisper drawer, as opposed to room temperature. If your garage is around the same temperature as your refrigerator, you can store them there too. Store with lemons and avocados in the crisper drawer to increase the shelf life.

What fruit should not go in the fridge? ›

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.

Do apples go in the fridge or on the counter? ›

They prefer the refrigeration. Apples keep longest when held at 31-36 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you want to keep them in the coolest part of the refrigerator. Most home refrigerators don't get that cold because the rest of your food would freeze, but the colder the better.

How long do fresh oranges last in the refrigerator? ›

Oranges can be kept at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you are not going to eat them that quickly, store them in the refrigerator. Oranges can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. If you bought a lot of them, try making Quick & Easy Mexican Salad, or Mixed Greens w/Fresh Oranges & White Beans to use them up.

How to keep citrus fresh longer? ›

To prevent this process, citrus should be kept in an environment with high humidity. Keep citrus in a bowl of water in your fridge, sayeth the hack. This means of storage, they claim, can keep your fruits feeling—and tasting—fresh for up to three months.

Should I wash oranges before storing? ›

There's no need to wash your produce when you bring it home. In fact, washing produce immediately leads to creating an environment where bacteria can thrive and can shorten the shelf-life of your produce. Instead, store unwashed fruits and vegetables until you're ready to eat them.

How do you make orange slices last longer? ›

Once oranges are dried, they can be stored in an airtight container. Jars with tight-fitting lids work well. Store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. If you are going to use the dried slices for culinary purposes, oranges will last, if properly dried, a year or two years.

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