How to Store Summer Fruit (So It Actually Lasts)

How to Store Summer Fruit (So It Actually Lasts)

How to Store Summer Fruit

You brought home the prettiest produce. A carton of strawberries, a few perfectly ripe peaches, a melon you swore you’d slice tonight. And then? Half of it spoiled before you even got to it.

Summer fruit is delicious. It’s also fragile. One wrong container or too much moisture can turn even the best peach into compost. Below, I’m breaking down exactly how I store summer fruit so it lasts longer, tastes better, and doesn’t end up in the trash.

🍓 Strawberries

How to store: Wash gently in a diluted vinegar rinse (1:3 vinegar to water), rinse again, and pat fully dry. Line a container with paper towels and store berries in a single layer with lid slightly ajar or in a vented container. Refrigerate.

Bonus tip: Hull and slice with lemon and sugar if keeping more than 2 days.

🫐 Blueberries

How to store: Store unwashed in a breathable container with paper towel lining. Refrigerate. Wash just before eating.

Bonus tip: Shake container gently every few days to prevent mold.

🍑 Peaches

How to store: Ripen at room temperature in a single layer. Once soft and fragrant, refrigerate unstacked.

Bonus tip: Speed up ripening with a banana in a paper bag.

🍒 Cherries

How to store: Store unwashed with stems on in a loosely covered bowl or container in the fridge. Wash just before eating.

Bonus tip: Avoid airtight bags—cherries need to breathe.

🍈 Cantaloupe

How to store: Leave whole melon at room temperature. Once cut, store slices in airtight containers. Refrigerate and eat within 3–5 days.

Bonus tip: Leave seeds in the uneaten half to retain moisture.

🍉 Watermelon

How to store: Whole melon can sit at room temp. Once sliced, store in sealed containers in fridge. Best within 4 days.

Bonus tip: Line container with paper towel to prevent sogginess.

🍇 Grapes

How to store: Wash and fully dry. Store on stems in a breathable container in fridge.

Bonus tip: Freeze for a chilled snack or wine cube substitute.

🍍 Pineapple

How to store: Ripen whole on counter. Once fragrant, peel and chop. Store chunks in airtight container in fridge for up to 5 days.

Bonus tip: Use a folded paper towel in one corner of the container to absorb excess juice.

🥭 Mango

How to store: Ripen at room temp. Once soft, slice and refrigerate in airtight container. Eat within 3 days.

Bonus tip: Stack slices with parchment between to keep from sticking.

✨ Extra Tips for All Summer Fruit

  • Always dry fruit completely before storing.
  • Wash only when ready unless vinegar-rinsing for preservation.
  • Use containers with airflow for berries. Airtight ones for cut fruit.
  • Line storage containers with paper towels to absorb moisture.
  • Never overcrowd your fruit airflow matters.
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