Whenever possible, many try to keep tangerines at home so that the winter "storehouse of vitamins" is always at hand. But how long will such a fruit supply last and what can be done to maintain its freshness for a long time? We will tell you now! If all the conditions are met, tangerines can be stored for several months.
How many tangerines are stored depending on the variety?
Before sending citruses for storage, you need to consider their variety and even the color of the peel:
- Fruits of a greenish tint at a temperature of +2 to +6 degrees can lie for about two weeks.
- Yellow citruses begin to deteriorate after ten days, while they need a lower temperature - from +1 to +2 degrees.
The country where the tangerines were collected also matters:
- Long stored fruits brought from Abkhazia and Morocco. They are distinguished by a light yellow skin and a porous structure. The flesh of such tangerines is juicy and sweet.
- Fruits imported from Turkey and Spain are larger and spoil faster.
To extend the life of tangerines, they should be stored in cool places. Then in a couple of months they will be sweet and juicy.
In what conditions and at what temperature should tangerines be stored?
If the fruits are properly transported, then their shelf life increases significantly.
It is best to store citruses at a temperature not exceeding +6 degrees. If you leave them at room temperature, then the fruit will begin to deteriorate in about a week.
So that the fruits do not dry out, do not rot and do not become moldy, indoor humidity should be maintained at about 80%.
There are some prohibitions - they relate to the excessive enthusiasm of the housewives in attempts to maintain the freshness of the purchased citruses:
- It is not recommended to additionally spray fruit with water.
- Tangerines should not be placed in the freezer, otherwise black dots will begin to form on them, indicating damage to the product.
Where do the fruits lie the longest?
The most suitable places are a cool cellar and basement. Another good option to save fruits is to put them in the refrigerator. Before storage, they must be carefully inspected, all soft, rotten and spoiled fruits must be selected.
Each storage method has its disadvantages and advantages, which are worth talking about in more detail.
- Fruit box in the refrigerator
When sending tangerines to the refrigerator, they should not be packed in a plastic bag or wrapped with cling film. Otherwise, the fruit will begin to rot. It is best to stack citruses in a perforated box to allow them access to air. Under such conditions, the fruits will lie for about a month.
Keep in mind that tangerines are stored separately from other fruits.
- Glazed balcony (in winter)
With this storage option, the fruits will not dry out, they will retain their juiciness. It is best to put them on the balcony in wooden boxes. Care must be taken in advance for air inlets. You should choose the most darkened corner - it is undesirable for sun rays to fall on tangerines. You can cover the fruits with paper (not printing).
- Cool basement
Before lowering tangerines into the basement, it should be disinfected, checked for pests and excessive humidity. The room should be well ventilated.
Fruits should be folded in cardboard boxes so that they do not touch each other. It is recommended to wrap each citrus in paper or napkin. You can put tangerines in a grid and hang it in the basement.
- At room conditions
Least of all citruses are stored at home, because the temperature is too high for them, and humidity is too low. To extend the freshness of the fruit, you can individually wrap them with parchment paper, then fold them into an enameled bowl and cover. It is advisable to check tangerines for freshness every day, since this method of storage is not the most reliable.
Tricks to extend shelf life
If you approach the matter wisely, you can increase the shelf life of orange fruits:
- You need to choose tangerines correctly. It is recommended to give preference to fruit with twigs. These citruses will be stored longer and will not lose their appearance.
- If you are going to store the fruits at home, you can first rub their peel with wax or vegetable oil. When the fruits are dry, put them in a drawer or large pan. It is advisable that they do not touch each other. Thanks to such manipulations, tangerines will last one to two weeks longer.
- It is necessary to regularly sort out the stocks of citrus, removing the fruits, on which even the slightest signs of spoilage appeared. Because of one rotten mandarin, everyone else will suffer.
The main conditions for storing orange fruits are optimum temperature, suitable humidity and proper packaging. If all of them are observed, you can enjoy fresh and tasty fruits up to several months.
Can tangerines be stored on an unglazed balcony?
Not. In such conditions, in winter they will quickly deteriorate.
Is it possible to eat rotten mandarin?
Undesirable. But if it has just begun to deteriorate, you can gently peel it off and get rid of the lobes over which there was a stain. Then try one of the remaining ones. If she has a normal taste, it is allowed to eat the surviving part of the fetus.