When the temperatures rise, keeping apples fresh can feel like a race against time. Warm weather speeds up ripening so quickly that a perfect, crisp apple can go soft before you know it. Keeping your apples fresh in a heat wave matters for growers, market vendors, and anyone who values top-quality fruit—because no one wants to see their beautiful apples spoil before they reach the table.
With a little planning and some practical tricks, you can protect your apples, cut down on waste, and deliver tasty fruits your customers will love.
Where Should You Store Apples?
Apples love a cool, dark, and slightly humid spot. Start by pulling them away from sunny windows, hot kitchens, or stuffy storage sheds. A basement, mudroom, or even a commercial walk-in fridge gives apples the breathing room they need.
Keep apples away from produce like bananas and avocados. These fruits release ethylene gas, which jumpstarts ripening. Giving your apples some space from these neighbors can keep them crisp longer. You’ll notice the difference when your apples stay firm and fresh for days longer than they have in the past.
How Does Humidity Help Apples?
Hot weather dries everything out. Dry air strips apples of their moisture, leaving them with wrinkled skins and mushy spots. While refrigeration cools apples, it may also dry them out, so add a dose of humidity to protect that prized crunch. Here are some easy ways to add humidity to your apples.
- Place a damp towel near the apples in storage.
- Give the apples a light misting every few days.
- Store apples in perforated plastic bags, which keep the moisture in and let air circulate.
Each of these small moves can help your apples stay juicy and satisfying, even as the heat tries to sneak in.
What Containers Should You Store Apples In?
Storage choices can make or break an apple’s shelf life. Apples want to breathe, so look for containers that allow for good airflow. At the same time, you want to guard against bruises. That’s where thoughtful packaging for apples enters the picture. Vented crates and slotted boxes are both sturdy and breathable—just what apples need on a hot day.
When stacking containers, keep them lower instead of building tall towers. Too much weight can squish the fruit at the bottom. Pick containers that work for both display areas and back-room storage, helping you move from coolers to marketplaces with ease.
Why Does a Quick Apple Check Each Day Matter?
Even when you’ve stored apples with care, check them daily. Look for soft spots, mold, or anything that signals spoilage. Tossing one rotten apple now can stop decay from ruining the whole batch. A few quick checks ensure your apples stay fresh and your customers return for more.
Follow these simple tips on how to keep your apples fresh in a heat wave, and you’ll finish every hot day with apples that look and taste just as good as when they left the tree. Your attention to the details—storage, humidity, the right containers, and everyday checks—will keep your apples the talk of the market, no matter how high the temperatures climb.