Apple Selection & Handling Tips
To maximize your apple-eating experience, follow these simple tips for selecting, handling, storing and preparing fresh apples. An apples skin should be shiny, dull appearing apples won't be crisp and tasty.
- Select apples that are bruise-free and handle them gently to prevent bruising
- Select apples that are firm to the touch.
- Store your apples in the refrigerator to slow ripening and maintain flavor. A properly refrigerated apple keeps longer.
- Store your apples away from strong smelling foods to prevent them from absorbing unpleasant odors.
- Wash your apples in cool water before serving.
- When serving sliced or diced apples, coat them in a mixture of one part lemon juice to three parts water - or in vitamin C-fortified 100% apple juice to reduce browning.
Pear Selection & Handling Tips
When shopping for pears, select clean pears with uninjured skin. Pears with no cuts and with the stem intact will keep longer. Surface russeting -- brownish areas on the skin are generally caused by weather -- does not affect the quality or flavor.
- Pears should be firm, or fairly firm, but not hard.
- Avoid wilted, shriveled, moldy or discolored pears.
- Check for good color for the variety you are selecting.
- Pears are picked when fully mature, but firm. A ripe pear will yield slightly to gentle pressure at the base of the stem.
- A pear is one fruit that will ripen after it is picked.
- To ripen, leave pears at room temperature in a paper bag until the flesh responds readily to gentle pressure.
Sweet Cherry Selection & Handling Tips
When shopping for sweet cherries, select plump, shiny cherries with green stems. Avoid cherries that are soft or have brown spots on them.
- Sweet Cherries are a delicate fruit and should be handled carefully to avoid damage.
- Avoid purchasing shriveled or soft cherries. Cherries do not continue to ripen after they are picked.
- Avoid placing cherries in the sun or warm areas, they may go limp quickly.
- Refrigerate your cherries immediately after purchase. Cherries can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for several days.
- For longer storage you can freeze fresh sweet cherries.
Freezing Sweet Cherries
Work with small amounts (3 to 5 pounds) to allow for quick handling and freezing. Select firm, ripe cherries, rinse in cool water and drain them thoroughly. Use either of the following methods for freezing:
- Method 1: Use whole cherries and do not remove the stems. Spread your cherries in a single layer on a baking sheet then place in your freezer. When completely firm, remove the cherries from the freezer and place into freezer-proof containers or plastic freezer bags; remove excess air, cover or fasten tightly and return to freezer.
- Method 2: Use whole cherries with stems removed or pitted cherries. In a large bowl add 1/3 cup of sugar for each pint of cherries; toss lightly to coat cherries. Fill freezer proof containers or freezer bags; shake to pack fruit and continue to add cherries until full. Remove excess air, cover or fasten tightly and place into freezer.
Blueberry Selection & Handling Tips
To select the best blueberries, avoid containers with juice stains as this is a sign that the berries are crushed or moldy. If the berry is soft and watery it is overripe. Wrinkled fruit has been stored too long; you'll want to avoid it. Follow the tips below on selection and storage.
- Select:
- Blueberries that are firm, dry and smooth- relatively free from stems and leaves. (Our blueberries are free from leaves and stems.)
- Blueberries that are deep purple-blue to blue-black in color.
- Store your blueberries:
- Dry and unwashed.
- Kept in their plastic container or resealable plastic bag.
- In the back of the refrigerator.
- Helpful Tips
- Blueberries are delicate. The more they're handled, the faster they will deteriorate.
- Reddish berries are not ripe, but may be used for cooking.
- Once chilled, blueberries will store for up to 10 days.
- Wash your blueberries just before serving.
Freezing Blueberries:
You may enjoy freezing blueberries to enjoy year-round. They're excellent thrown into fruit smoothies.
To Freeze: Place dry, unwashed blueberries on a cookie sheet. Freeze, then place in resealable plastic bag. Rinse before using.