Keep sliced apples fresh

groucherella
groucherella Posts: 207
edited September 22 in Food and Nutrition
Anyone have any ideas on how to keep sliced apples fresh? They turn brown too quick between the time I slice them and pack them till lunch time.

Replies

  • starkiss100
    starkiss100 Posts: 235 Member
    Put lemon juice on them
  • PolkaDot88
    PolkaDot88 Posts: 71 Member
    I've heard putting a little lemon juice on them stops them from browning, but I've never tried it. I keep one of those corer and slicers at my office for when I bring an apple.
  • Val_from_OH
    Val_from_OH Posts: 447 Member
    I use a product called Fruit Fresh. It is basically Vitamin C powder that you sprinkle on to cut fruit - it works pretty well. Lemon juice also works.

    I also often just pack a sharp knife and a whole apple in my lunch bag.
  • jhandley
    jhandley Posts: 118
    Yea I don't slice mine until I'm ready to eat it! I keep a pampered chef paring knife in my drawer at work (they are the best knives and cheap too)
  • KPagels
    KPagels Posts: 11
    When I was in middle school my friends mom put lemon juice on them. The still turn a little brown. But not as bad as if the didn't have it. And, BONUS, the lemon juice was on the apple was really yummy.
  • kpopa
    kpopa Posts: 515 Member
    A lemon-lime soda will work as well, some Sprite or 7-up...
  • heathera1980
    heathera1980 Posts: 58
    Along with the top replies I've heard of using a sharp plastic knife (rather than metal) or using an apple slicer dipped in lemon juice. :)
  • deshaine
    deshaine Posts: 195
    A lemon-lime soda will work as well, some Sprite or 7-up...

    better use diet, since the added cals might not be worth it to have fresh fruit.

    I have used lemon juice, it works and really accentuates the flavor!
  • sallyLunn
    sallyLunn Posts: 381
    As you cut them, you drop them in a bowl of lemon water and then you drain them and put them in a bag.
  • gentlebreeze2
    gentlebreeze2 Posts: 450 Member
    Spritzing with a water/ lemon or lime juice mix works well. To make the solution, pour a quart of water into a clean mist bottle and add two tablespoons of lemon or lime juice to it . Spritz the cut apple. The solution will keep well in your refrigerator, so you can use it as needed.

    Baby carrots tend to dry out quickly too... refresh them in ice water.
  • ToniMaybe
    ToniMaybe Posts: 14
    If I'm recalling this right from Freshman Chemistry, it's basically a redox reaction between an enzyme in the apples and the oxygen in the air. You can slow the reaction in a couple of ways:

    1. Reduce the pH (like by using lemon juice) or

    2. Limiting the amount of oxygen available to react. If you have to cut them beforehand, stick them back together so all the insides are together (essentially re-create the apple), wrap a rubber band around them to keep them nice and close, and stick them in a sealed ziplock (get all the air out first!)

    The plastic knife suggestion might help some, but only if you're usually using really crappy knives. It just reduces the amount of iron available to react, but good knives shouldn't be leaving traces of iron all over the place.

    Good luck!
  • crystalroy
    crystalroy Posts: 84 Member
    I actually dry all my fruit. Its just me in the house and I can't seem to eat them quick enough. So I dry them and store them for when I'm hungry for an apple. I use them in all sort of recipes as well, they hold up alot better :)
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