Properly selected and fresh tangerines can be stored in the refrigerator for more than a month. On average, this indicator is no more than 10 days. Those fruits that were stored incorrectly gradually lose moisture. They begin to dry out. Their presentation is significantly deteriorating. In addition, fruits become less juicy. When dried, the peel is very poorly separated from the pulp. So how to save tangerines until the New Year at home?
Choosing the right fruits
Answering the question of how to save tangerines until the New Year is not so simple. After all, the timing is affected not only by the place where the fruits are located, but also by their variety. When choosing tangerines, this must be taken into account. It is also worth paying attention to the color of their peel:
- Yellow fruits can retain their freshness for several weeks, if they are put in a place where the air temperature ranges from - 2 to +1 ° C.
- Tangerines with a greenish skin on average are stored for a little over two weeks. In this case, the air temperature should be 2-6 ° C.
- Fruits from Morocco and Abkhazia are usually stored longer than others. At the same time, their marketable appearance is fully preserved.
- Mandarins of the Spanish and Turkish varieties are much faster to deteriorate.
How to determine the grade
Determining the country from which the fruit was brought is not so difficult. This is usually indicated on the label. If it is not, then you can do it visually. Moroccan and Abkhazian varieties have porous skin with a yellowish or light orange hue. At the same time, the fruit tastes sweet. As for the Spanish tangerines, they are the largest. Turkish varieties have a smooth peel. You can save their attractive appearance without appropriate conditions for no more than 10 days. But what if the fruits were purchased long before the holiday? How to save tangerines until the New Year, so that it would not be embarrassing to bring them to the table?
Certain fruit varieties can remain attractive and fresh for up to 4 months. The main nuance is the degree of maturity of tangerines. If the fruits are not overripe, then preserving them is much easier.
Where to store fruit
So, how to save tangerines until the New Year so that they do not lose their juiciness? It is best to put the fruit in the refrigerator in special compartments that are designed for this. Usually they are located at the very bottom. If there are no such compartments, then it is necessary to create optimal conditions in order to keep the tangerines fresh. The air temperature should not be more than 6 ° C. With an increase or decrease in this indicator, the fruits will begin to deteriorate quickly or freeze. As a result, their taste qualities will be violated.
How to keep tangerines until the New Year if there are no special compartments in the refrigerator? Do not put fruits in plastic bags. Citrus just needs air. In such situations, it is better to use grids. In addition, in the place where tangerines are stored, it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of humidity. Otherwise, their peel will begin to dry out. In the future, it will be difficult to separate it from the pulp.
Where can I store fruit without a refrigerator
In winter, tangerines can be stored on the balcony, of course, if it is not blown and insulated. To do this, fruits must be placed in wooden crates with gaps between the slats and without a lid.
It is not necessary to store tangerines in residential premises, as it is very warm here. Under such conditions, citrus fruits will deteriorate much faster. During storage, fruits must be inspected. If there are spoiled tangerines, then they must be immediately separated.
How to save tangerines until the New Year
There are several ways to extend the shelf life of citrus fruits. Their use will avoid premature rotting or drying out of tangerines. Experts say that fruits on a branch are stored much longer. However, their attractive appearance does not deteriorate.
All fruits with the first signs of rotting and drying must be immediately separated from the total mass. Otherwise, the remaining tangerines may begin to deteriorate. Especially carefully, these fruits should be chosen when buying.
If necessary, you can rub the skin of tangerines with ordinary vegetable oil. So their surface will look fresh for a long time. It is enough to use a little oil.
Do not store tangerines on which there is obvious damage to the skin. They should be eaten first. Otherwise they will go bad. Experts say that you can preserve the attractive appearance and juiciness of fruits using wax. It is enough to apply it on the entire surface of tangerines. This method is considered the most effective. However, it should be remembered that wax is very poorly removed from the hands. The process of peeling fruits will not be a very pleasant procedure. Now you know how to properly store tangerines until the New Year, so that they are attractive and juicy.