Apples are really great in the kitchen for both sweet and savory dishes, but sometimes they can start to look brown and unappetizing before you have a chance to use them. It’s true that apples taste better when they’re crisp, but they also last a lot longer if they’re kept at room temperature.
Apples are a favourite fruit that many people struggle with because they become brown if stored incorrectly, despite the fact that they may be kept fresh for a long time. Fortunately, this issue has a simple, no-special-tools-required solution!
Apples can turn brown in many ways, but one of the most common is when they are exposed to oxygen. The article tells how to keep apples from turning brown lists different methods that you can use to keep your apples from turning brown while they are on display, including an apple storage drawer, a storage box with vents, and using a wet cloth over them.
Why does an apple turn brown?
Apple browning is the result of a natural process that occurs when the fruit is exposed to oxygen. The apple gets dark in color because the pigments that give fruits their colors are broken down. This process happens as a result of the enzymes in the fruit’s skin and flesh reacting with oxygen from the air.
Apples may be kept from becoming brown in a few different ways.
To begin, keep air from getting in by not storing them in a tightly sealed container. Second, make sure they don’t get too wet by wrapping them in paper towels or an apple bag before storing them in an airtight container.
Last but not least, eat your apples immediately before they turn brown.
What Causes Apples to Turn Brown?
Apples turn brown due to a process called melanosis. The overproduction of melanin, a pigment present in the skin and hair, leads to melanosis, the appearance of black patches on the skin.The darker the spots, the more likely they are to develop into melanoma, which is cancerous.
There are several factors that can contribute to an apple’s propensity to turn brown, including exposure to sunlight and air pollution, as well as certain genetic mutations. While it may be frustrating when your favorite fruit turns brown before you have a chance to eat it, remember that this natural process is part of apple’s anatomy and will eventually disappear on its own.
How Does the Enzymatic Browning Process work?
If you have ever wondered how apples turn brown during storage, the answer is enzymatic browning. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In the case of apples, an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase reacts with oxygen from the air to produce brown pigment molecules. This process occurs extremely slowly over time, and it is mostly responsible for the colour change we see in preserved apples.
To prevent enzymatic browning from happening, it is important to keep apples refrigerated or frozen. If they are not stored properly, oxygen will start to break down the pigments in the fruit, resulting in a loss of color. Additionally, keep apples away from light because this also contributes to the degradation of pigments. Now you have idea of how to keep apples from turning brown, let us tell you how you can stop that.
Tips for keeping apples from turning brown
Most people don’t appreciate seeing apples turn brown for obvious reasons. But there numerous things you can do to keep apples from becoming brown. Here’s a few words of advice:
1. Keep apples in a cool, dark place. This will help them stay fresh longer.
2. Avoid storing apples in the same container with other fruit. This will cause them to turn brown from the fruit’s juices and chemicals.
3. Don’t wash apples before storing them. Cleaning them will remove the natural protective oils that keep them from turning brown.
4. When storing apples, make sure they are tightly wrapped in plastic or wax paper. This will help keep them from getting bruised and scratched.
How To Keep Apples From Turning Brown: Alternative Methods
The conventional ways of preserving apples include several alternatives that might be worthwhile to test. You may see three of them below:
1. Applesauce: Applesauce is a great way to keep apples from turning brown. Just mix some apples with some sugar and spices, and you’re good to go! If you have a number of apples to preserve, this is a great way to do it.
2. Bagels: Apples may also be stored for a longer period of time by placing them in a bagel. To include apples into the dough, just chop them into bite-size pieces. Bagels may easily absorb moisture if the packaging isn’t airtight. After an hour of resting in a warm environment, they will be ready for consumption.
3. Freeze: If you want to keep your apples fresh but don’t have any other options, you can always freeze them! Simply cube some apples that have been sliced into little pieces. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a storage container or bag. This method is best if you want to keep your apples for a short period of time, since freezing can make them difficult to eat.
How to Remedy Apples that Have Turned Brown
If you’ve got apples that have turned brown on the outside, don’t panic. There are several options for restoring their natural hue.
Three Suggestions
1) Apply a natural acid such as lemon juice or vinegar. This will help remove the brown pigment from the apple’s surface.
2) Soak the affected apples in water mixed with baking soda for several hours. Hopefully, the baking soda will restore the apple’s original pale green colour by neutralising its pH.
3) Finally, rinse off any excess liquid and leave the apples dry to finish rehydrating them.
Conclusion
There is no foolproof technique on how to keep apples from turning brown, but following these steps can buy you an extra hour or two. You may now enjoy apple slices at your leisure, and they will retain their freshness and flavour on fruit platters and in salads for much longer than unprotected apples.