How to store oranges: rules and methods at home, timing

Fruit selection

To preserve oranges, you need to choose certain fruits. Select specimens that are completely healthy, with intact skin that is free of stains and rot. The color must be characteristic of the variety. Oranges should only be as fresh as possible, no more than 1-2 weeks. Fruits that are picked earlier lie worse and dry out faster. Slightly unripe fruits are better suited for storage rather than fully ripe ones.

As for size, you need to take medium-sized fruits, with thin, even, elastic skin. Often these are the oranges that taste sweet and have excellent shelf life. The smell should be weak; if the fruit smells strong, it has previously been kept warm and will dry out quickly.

Expert opinion

Zarechny Maxim Valerievich

Agronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best country expert.

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It is not advisable to take oranges with shiny skin for preservation; this indicates that they have been treated with wax for preservation. Such fruits will not be healthy and can be harmful.

Storage selection rules

To preserve oranges for as long as possible, you should choose your fruit responsibly. What to pay attention to:

Appearance. Select specimens without mechanical damage, clean, fresh, with an evenly cut stalk. It is acceptable for it to fall away, but not to be torn out “with meat.”
The degree of elasticity of tropical fruits. When they are overripe or stale, the skin does not return to its original shape when you press on the orange. For storage, you should purchase unripe hard specimens.
Aroma. If the fruits were stored correctly, they do not have a characteristic odor. A citrus aroma is exuded by specimens that have been lying in a warm room for a long time. Such fruits are not suitable for storage.
Size. Experts recommend buying medium-sized fruits with thin, smooth skin for storage. They last longer than larger oranges, which have a porous surface but less sweet flesh. Large fruits do not store as well.
Weight. Ripe berries are heavier than unripe fruits. You should get your bearings by comparing the weight and size of the fruit; if the ratio is not in favor of the orange, it means it has already withered or is not yet ripe.
Peel color. When it is expected that oranges will be stored for no more than 14 days, ripened bright orange specimens can be taken. If you choose fruits for longer storage, you should give preference to light yellow oranges.

If you will use not only the pulp of the berries, but also the skin, you must avoid purchasing fruits with a too glossy surface. These citrus fruits are treated with preservative wax. Before use, they will have to be washed in hot water with a brush.

Preparation for storage

To extend the shelf life, you can apply some techniques. For example, fruits will be preserved longer if you grease the skin of each with odorless vegetable oil and dry it. Citrus fruits cannot be washed. You can also treat them with a borax solution (2 tablespoons per 1 liter) or wrap each copy in light paper. These are ways to reduce the likelihood of infection by pathogens.

Storage rules

The following rules will help extend the shelf life of oranges:

do not wash them before storing - it is better to do this immediately before use;
Avoid storing in polyethylene - the lack of oxygen and high humidity accelerate the rotting process; fruit is best preserved in cardboard packaging;
oranges have a distinct citrus smell, so storing them next to other products is not recommended;
observe the temperature regime - due to sharp fluctuations, the orange will become tasteless;
avoid exposure to direct sunlight;
The shelf life is extended with the help of vegetable oil - just rub the skin of the fruit with a small amount.

How to properly store oranges at home

In an apartment or private house, oranges can be kept in a regular refrigerator or cellar, that is, in the cold, or simply at room temperature. In each case the conditions are different.

Fridge

Citrus fruits can be stored inside the refrigerator for at least 12-14 days. Slightly unripe ones last even longer - 2-3 months and up to 6 months - greenish ones. For oranges, choose a fruit box and lay them in 2-3 layers. If you put them in perforated bags, the citrus fruits will last longer. During storage, fruits need to be inspected and sorted, removing rotten ones and those that have begun to dry out.

Freezer

Oranges are stored in the freezer in ground form. Citrus fruits are washed, cut into pieces and ground in a meat grinder. Sprinkle the mixture with sugar in a ratio of 2 to 1 and mix until smooth. Place in plastic containers and place in the freezer. Shelf life – 6 months.

Cellar

If there are a lot of oranges, it is easier to keep them in the cellar. Place in shallow plywood boxes and cover the layers with paper. Place the boxes one on one. The temperature and humidity in the cellar are almost optimal for preserving fruit. While it lasts, it is necessary to sort out the fruits, remove rotten or, conversely, dry ones. They lie in the cellar for at least 2-3 months.

You cannot place boxes with other aromatic fruits next to them, for example, melons, apples, plums, pears. So that the products do not perceive someone else's aroma and are not saturated with it.

At room temperature

In an apartment, oranges should be kept in the coolest, driest and unlit place. They are placed in boxes in 2-3 layers and covered with perforated film. You can’t keep fruits in the sun, as this will cause them to dry out. Depending on the conditions, citrus fruits are stored in the apartment from 1 to 2-3 months.

Storage conditions for oranges

Never keep oranges in bright light or direct sunlight as they will quickly lose their freshness and attractiveness. Also, oranges can be ruined by the formation of condensation on their peel.

If you notice, wipe immediately with dry wipes. Ripe oranges should be stored at an optimal humidity of 85 to 90%. Unripe at the appropriate temperature and humidity less than 85%.

Important! Large quantities are best stored in well-ventilated, dry, dark rooms, such as cellars.

Preservation recipes for long-term storage for the winter

Homemade sweet preparations are prepared from oranges. In this case, sugar acts as a preservative. Let's look at several recipes, ingredients and cooking methods.

Puree

Wash oranges; if you need to get a thick mass, then you should take thick-skinned fruits. Wash the fruits, boil in boiling water for 15 minutes, cool. Cut into pieces, remove seeds. Grind in a meat grinder, add sugar in the amount of half the volume. Divide the mixture into bags and place in the freezer.

Lemon jam

Take 5-6 oranges and 1 lemon. Wash and remove skin and seeds. Pass through a blender. For each kg of the resulting mass, add 0.3-0.5 kg of sugar. Cook over high heat for 15 minutes, then another 15 minutes. on average. After cooking, roll the jam into sterilized jars.

Jam with zest

For 1 kg orange take:

1.2 kg sugar;
2-3 tbsp. l. zest;
1 glass of water.

Remove skins and cut into pieces. Boil syrup, add orange slices. After 2 hours, bring to a boil. Repeat one more time. Then increase the heat, add the zest and cook until the jam begins to thicken. Pack the mixture into steamed jars and roll up. After cooling, take it to the cellar.

Storage temperature

The duration of storage depends on the temperature. So, at room temperature, oranges can be kept fresh for up to a week. To extend this period, it is better to place them in the refrigerator, where they can be stored in special containers for several months.

Storage temperature depends on the ripeness of the fruit. The ripest fruits, rich orange in color, remain fresh from two weeks to two months at a temperature of +1...+2 °C. Yellow fruits (i.e. not ripe enough) can be stored fresh at temperatures between +2 and +4 °C. Unripe (that is, greenish) can withstand long-term storage for about six months at a temperature of +5 to +6 °C.

Shelf life

Canned products are stored for 1-2 years in a cool and dry place. Fresh citrus fruits last 2-3 months in the refrigerator, and at least 6 months in the freezer. In the cellar - 3-5 months, in the room - 2-3 months.

The main conditions are low temperature, low humidity, dark place. Fruits and preserves deteriorate most quickly in a warm, humid room and if they are exposed to sunlight. In such conditions, the workpieces can deteriorate within six months.

Oranges, like all fruits, cannot be stored for long unless they are provided with special conditions. Cold, low humidity, and lack of sunlight or artificial lighting extend the shelf life. When preparing products, the role of a preservative is performed by sugar and heat treatment. Preserving citrus fruits is not difficult; they require proper selection, preparation and processing. If everything is done correctly, the fruit can be preserved for several months.

How to choose a delicious orange

There are several indicators of fruit ripeness:

General form. The peel should be clean, elastic, without dents or visible damage. At the first sign of mold, separate the “sick” fruit from the rest to avoid spoilage of all the fruits.
Color. Ripe oranges have a bright and even color. When purchasing, it is better to avoid those fruits that contrast sharply with the rest. Most likely they are less sweet.
Weight. Weight also indicates ripeness. It is enough to place the fruit in your palm to determine how heavy it is. Heavier fruits are usually tastier than light, unripe specimens or those that, on the contrary, are already a little “withered.”
Size. Larger fruits are not necessarily the tastiest. When purchasing, give preference to medium or small sized fruits. This will reduce the risk of buying fruits grown using “chemicals”.
Peel density . Fruits with thin skins are more difficult to peel, but their pulp is much tastier. The thickness of the peel is determined by the pits or “pores”. The smaller they are, the thinner the peel, which means the sweeter the pulp.
Aroma. If oranges are purchased in a warm room, then it is much easier to determine their aroma. A juicy and sweetish citrus smell is an indicator of a good and ripe fruit.

How to store lemons with sugar

The most popular storage methods:

Cut the fruits washed with soap into 5 mm circles and place in a washed jar. Sprinkle each layer with sugar, which is taken in the same amount. Close the filled jar with a lid, leave it in a cool place until nectar forms, and put it in the refrigerator or cellar. You can use this preparation for up to six months.
Clean lemon, scalded with boiling water, can be crushed using a blender or meat grinder, mixed with granulated sugar (1:1) or honey (1:0.5) and placed in a jar. The closed container should be kept in the refrigerator. Use a dry, clean spoon to scoop out the required amount. The container must be shaken periodically so that the resulting nectar evenly covers the mixture.

Lemons with sugar

Calorie content of dried oranges

The energy value of dried citrus is 240-250 kcal. At the same time, the calorie content of the fresh analogue is only 35-39 kcal. The fruit contains a lot of moisture. After removal, a process called dehydration, the product is reduced by at least 10 times. From 1.5 kg of fresh fruit you will get a little more than 100 g. A real concentrate with a magical aroma and a sea of positive properties.

Why do you dry oranges?

For decoration For food

Dried orange slices are prepared in the oven, in the microwave, in the sun, or using electric dryers. The air drying technology remains unchanged. Shelf life: 12 months.

Useful properties and contraindications

Ascorbic acid is far from the only valuable vitamin. Dried slices also contain thiamine, riboflavin, folate, alpha tocopherol, pyridoxine. Iron, iodine, manganese, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus are preserved. The concentration of vitamins and minerals depends on the method of preparation. Below we will tell you how best to dry an orange.

Beneficial properties of dried citrus:

strengthens the immune system;
increases tone, gives energy;
improves blood composition;
removes toxins;

has a positive effect on skin turgor;
inhibits the aging of the body;
replaces unhealthy sweets;
improves digestion.

Orange, even in dried form, is contraindicated if you are allergic to citrus fruits. It should not be introduced into the diet of children in their first year of life. The product will also cause harm during exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases. You should not eat fruit if you have diabetes. And don't forget about the high calorie content. When losing weight, we measure no more than 20 g. Otherwise, it’s easy to get carried away and eat a whole bowl of flavorful pieces at once.

How to store cut lemon

There are simple ways to preserve cut lemons from one and a half weeks to six months without losing their taste and beneficial properties:

The slices are sprinkled with granulated sugar and placed in a washed container. The released juice can be carefully drained and used at your discretion.
A fresh cut is coated with the white of a raw egg - this forms a protective film on the surface.
Sugar or salt (apple cider vinegar) is poured onto a saucer and pieces of fruit are dropped into it.
They use special cases for citrus fruits, which prevent it from drying out (they can be bought in the tableware department).

Advice! If the use of citrus does not involve the preparation of desserts, it can be left in a jar with a mixture of salt, bay leaf and pepper - this specimen acquires a refined and piquant aroma.