How long do apples last once they're ripe?
If eating supposedly year-old apples is actually safe, I decided to do some investigating to learn how long apples last.
Yes, well...yes.If you buy apples out of season, they can be as old as 10 months.Untreated apples only last for a few weeks.So what's going on?
Alex Formuzis is the vice president of communications at the Environmental Working Group.Up to 16 different kinds of pesticides are applied to apples.Fourmuzis says that apples naturally attract bugs and that the pesticides protect them from insects and other pests.
Some producers add food-grade wax made of long-chain alcohols.In order for apples to stay in cold storage for long periods of time, a wax film is applied to conventional apples, which is why they are available all year long in any supermarket in the country.Nick Moless, the senior produce buyer on the Whole Foods Market global perishables purchasing team, said that not all producers add wax before putting apples into storage.
The chemicals prevent decay and help extend the lifespan of an apple, which lets harvesters store them once the season is over and ship them to retailers throughout the year.The amount of pesticides used in produce is tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Many organic orchards use pesticides to keep their apples insect free.
Some farmers don't use these methods to keep apples fresh.The owner of the sustainable farm in Shoreham, Vermont, says he uses Smartfresh to extend the shelf life of apples.Ethylene is a natural gas that apples naturally produce as it starts to grow, and the blocker slows that process, stunting its growth.He keeps apples fresh for as long as possible by using storage rooms with controlled atmospheres.Some fruit that is locked up in CA storage in September can be sold fresh the following August.
It is more likely that apples are in storage waiting to be shipped than it is that they are sitting in supermarkets for a year.This is what it takes to eat apples year-round.
The standard grocery store apple isn't straight off the tree.Even if they are a year old, the FDA will approve them.Eating fruits and vegetables, whether they are conventional or organic, is always better than eating highly processed foods according to Formuzis at the EWG.He says that this advice would apply to conventionally grown apples.I would urge consumers to choose the organic versions of the fruits and veggies with the highest pesticide levels.
Formuzis says the main tool farmers use to allow apples to last months in cold storage is organic apples that don't have a wax coat.Since it doesn't have the same protective materials that allow it to last forever, it's more likely that it was harvest recently.Give it a good scrub first for total peace of mind.
If you don't mind apples, you can use them to make a post-workout smoothie or baked parsnip and apple latkes.
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