Fresh Fruit Storage

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Do you ever get home from the farmer's market or the grocery with all of your fresh produce and wonder where to store each item? I'm constantly questioning if I should store things in my fruit bowl, in my pantry, or in the refrigerator.

RIPEN FRUITS AT HOME
Speed up the ripening by placing fruit in a single layer in a large paper bag with several holes, folding over the top of the bag. Leave the bag on the counter while the fruit ripens in 1-2 days. The refrigerator will continue to keep the ripened fruit fresh for several days.  

• Avocados 
• Bananas (Bananas are always picked green. The will ripen from green to yellow in a few days on their own. The brown speckles on a banana means it is very sweet and ready to eat. They can also be stored in the refrigerator after they ripen. The skin will turn dark, but the fruit inside will be good to eat.)
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew 
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Nectarines
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Plums
• Pineapples (I cut once ripe, and store in a glass container in the refrigerator. They say ripe when you buy them, but I usually let them ripen on the counter another day or two at home.)
• Tomatoes

REFRIGERATE FRUIT
These fruits are picked when ripe and don't ripen any further. Store them in the refrigerator and enjoy within a few days.

• Apples 
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Cranberries
• Grapes 
• Lemons
• Limes
• Oranges 
• Pomegranates
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Tangerines
• Watermelons

Please share any thoughts or ideas.
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