Keeping them at room temperature helps them stay fresh longer.
), continue ripening after theyre harvested and are often sold slightly under-ripe," he explains.
How do you know if a fruit belongs in the fridge or on the counter?
Simply Recipes / Getty Images
Refrigeration slows, or even halts, the ripening processsometimes with unappetizing results.
Store bananas at room temperature and away from other fruits to avoid overripening.
Avocados:Keep unripeavocadoson the counter, out of direct sunlight.
Simply Recipes / Getty Images
Once they ripen, move them to the fridge to keep them fresh for a few more days.
Mangoes:Store unripe mangoes at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Once ripe, refrigerate whole mangoes or slice them and refrigerate in an airtight container.
Keep them spread out and at room temperature for the best flavor.
Stone Fruit:Spread out peaches, plums, apricots, and nectarines to prevent bruising.
Store unripe stone fruit at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, until they soften.
One more storage tip: Keep bananas, avocados, and apples separate from other produce.
These fruits release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that speeds up ripening.
This off-gassing helps them to ripen off the tree, explains Alsberg.
The process can also cause other nearby fruit to ripen more quickly.
