Produceology

 Produce Storage Tips

The Three Pillars of Produce Freshness, Temperature. Your refrigerator controls and regulates temperature. Ideally set it between 32 fahrenheit and 38 fahrenheit. Humidity. Humidity is controlled through your refrigerator. VeggieZips Produce bags help enhance this. Ethylene Gas. Both the Classic and the Carbon Bluapple packets absorb ethylene gas emitted by produce as it ripens. Produce Freshness. By properly using Veggiezips, to compliment Bluapple, you complete the three pillars of produce freshness. Each pillar is necessary to maximize freshness and extend produce life.

There are three pillars that control produce freshness: Temperature, Humidity, and Ethylene Gas. Bluapple products manage two of them! Refrigerators handle the temperature, VeggieZips with HydroLiners control humidity when necessary, and Bluapple Produce Savers absorb ethylene gas. FreshMats, as an added bonus, provide cushion to reduce bruising and allow airflow around the whole produce item.

Below, we have designed a comprehensive list of helpful produce storage tips! You can search for the produce type you are interested in storing OR you can download or print copies for easy reference!

Key Storage Tips

  1. Buy before it's ripe
     If you buy produce at peak ripeness, your window to consume is very short. Bluapple Produce Saver slows down the ripening process but does not stop it. Once it hits the peak, there’s not much that can be done.
  2. Keep produce in cooler temperatures
     While there are some exceptions, most produce benefits from cooler temperatures. Cooler temps slow down ethylene gas production in most produce types.
  3. Don’t wash before storing
    Washing produce before storing can result in mold or bacteria growth. Store produce unwashed and wash when you are ready to eat!
  4. Don’t overcrowd
    Fruits and vegetables need to BREATHE! Most (there are few exceptions, but not many) produce needs airflow. Don’t overcrowd your crisper drawers. Allow for airflow around each fruit or vegetable and try not to keep things in sealed containers or bags.
  5. Separate Fruits and Vegetables
    When it comes to emitting ethylene gas – fruits generally give off more ethylene gas and are less sensitive to it, while vegetables give off less ethylene gas and are more sensitive to it.

Want a printable version?

Produce Search

Acerola, Barbados Cherry
Acorn squash
African Horned Melon, Kiwano
Anise, Fennel
Apple Varieties
Apricot
Artichoke
Arugula, Rocket
Asian Pear
Asparagus
Avocado
Babaco, Mt Papaya
Bananas
Basil
Bay Leaves
Beans - Fava, Broad
Beans - Lima
Beans - Long, Yard-long
Beans - Snap, Wax, Green
Beans - Winged
Beet, Beetroot
Bittermelon, bitter gourd
Black Salsify, scorzonera
Blackberry, Dewberry
Blueberry
Bok Choy
Boysenberry
Breadfruit
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Butternut squash
Cabbage
Cactus Fruit, Prickly Pear
Cactus Pads, Nopalitos
Cantaloupe
Carambola, Starfruit
Carrots
Casaba
Cashew Apple
Cassava, Yucca, Manioc
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Chard
Chayote
Cherimoya, Custard Apple
Cherry
Chinese Artichoke
Chinese Broccoli, Gailan
Chives
Cilantro, Coriander
Coconut
Collard Greens
Corn
Cranberry
Crenshaw
Cucumber
Currants
Daikon, Oriental Radish
Date
Dill
Dragon Fruit - Pitaya, Pithaya, Red Pitaya, Yellow Pitaya
Durian
Eggplant, Aubergine
Elderberry
Endive, Escarole, Chicory
Epazote
Feijoa, Pineapple Guava
Fig
Garlic
Ginger
Gooseberry
Grape
Grapefruit
Green Onion, Scallions
Guava
Honeydew
Horseradish
Jaboticaba
Jerusalem Artichoke
Jicama
Jujube, Chinese Date
Kale
Kiwi
Kumquat
Leek
Lemon
Lettuce - Iceburg, Romaine
Lime
Loganberry
Longan
Loquat
Luffa, Chinese Okra
Lychee, Litchi
Malanga, Tania, New Cocoyam
Mango
Mangosteen
Mint
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Napa
Nectarine
Okra
Olives
Onion
Orange
Oregano
Papaya
Parsley
Parsnip
Passion Fruit
Peach
Pear
Peas - Snow, Snap, Sugar
Pepino, Melon Pear
Peppers - Bell
Peppers - Chili
Perilla, Shiso
Persimmons, Kaki
Pineapple
Plantain
Plum, Prune
Pomegranate
Potato
Pummelo
Pumpkin
Quince
Radicchio
Radish
Radish Sprouts
Rambutan
Raspberry
Rhubarb
Rosemary
Rutabaga, Swede
Sage
Salsify, Vegetable Oyster
Sapote
Shallot
Soursop
Southern Peas, Cowpeas, Black Eyed Peas
Spaghetti Squash
Spinach
Spondias, Mombin, Wi Apple, Jobo, Hogplum
Sprouts - Alfalfa, Bean
Squash - Delicata, Hubbard
Strawberry
Sweet Potato
Tamarillo, Tree Tomato
Tamarind
Tangerine, Tangelo, Mandarin
Taro Root, Dasheen
Tarragon
Thyme
Tomatillo, Husk Tomato
Tomato
Turnip
Water Chestnut
Watercress, Garden Cress
Watermelon
Yam
Yellow squash
Zucchini Squash, Courgette