How to store fresh fruit so it lasts longer
Frutanza buying guide · Updated July 2026
A little know-how makes fruit last days longer and taste better. Some fruit ripens on the counter, some belongs straight in the fridge, and a few should never be washed until you eat them. Here is a quick reference for everything we deliver.
| Fruit | How to store it | Keeps for |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | Store in the fridge crisper at 0–4°C, away from bananas and leafy greens (apples give off ethylene, which wilts them). Bring to room temperature before eating for the fullest flavour. | 2–4 weeks refrigerated |
| Pears | Pears ripen best off the tree — leave at room temperature until the neck yields to gentle pressure, then refrigerate and eat within 3–4 days. | 1–2 weeks (ripens at room temperature) |
| Grapes | Keep unwashed in the fridge in a breathable bag and wash only just before eating — washing early speeds spoilage. They last 1–2 weeks. | 1–2 weeks refrigerated |
| Cherries | Refrigerate immediately, unwashed, in a breathable container and keep the stems on — they stay fresher that way. Wash just before eating. Cherries are delicate; enjoy within 5–7 days. | 5–7 days refrigerated |
| Blueberries | Refrigerate unwashed in a ventilated container and wash just before eating — moisture causes mould. Remove any soft or mouldy berries so they don’t spread. They last 1–2 weeks. | 1–2 weeks refrigerated |
| Oranges | Keep at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate in the crisper for up to 2 weeks. Store loose — never sealed in plastic. | 1–2 weeks refrigerated |
| Mandarins | Keep in the fridge crisper; they last 1–2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before eating for the sweetest flavour. | 1–2 weeks refrigerated |
| Avocado | Ripen at room temperature until it yields to gentle pressure, then refrigerate to hold for 2–3 more days. To speed ripening, keep it in a paper bag with a banana. Refrigerating an unripe avocado stops it ripening. | 4–7 days (ripens at room temperature) |
| Kiwi | Firm kiwis keep up to 4 weeks in the fridge. When you want to eat one, ripen it at room temperature until it yields to gentle pressure — a paper bag with an apple speeds this up. | Up to 4 weeks refrigerated when firm |
| Dragon fruit | Refrigerate in a loose bag for up to a week, or keep at room temperature if eating within a day or two. Best enjoyed chilled, once the flesh gives slightly. | 5–7 days refrigerated |
| Mango | Ripen at room temperature until fragrant and slightly soft, then refrigerate and eat within 2–3 days. Do not refrigerate unripe mangoes — cold stops them ripening. | 4–7 days (ripens at room temperature) |
| Plums | Ripen at room temperature until they give to gentle pressure, then refrigerate and eat within 3–4 days. Keep out of direct sun. | Up to 1 week refrigerated |
| Guava | Keep at room temperature until the skin lightens from deep green to yellow-green and the fruit turns fragrant, then refrigerate and eat within 3–4 days. Cold blunts the scent, so let it come back to room temperature before eating. | 3–5 days at room temperature, up to 1 week refrigerated |
| Pomegranate | A whole pomegranate keeps for weeks in a cool, dry spot and up to two months in the fridge. Once opened, keep the arils in an airtight box and eat within 5 days, or freeze them spread on a tray. | 2–3 weeks at room temperature, up to 2 months refrigerated |
| Dates | Store in an airtight container. Soft dates keep 1–2 months at room temperature, 6–12 months refrigerated, and up to a year frozen. Semi-dry dates keep even longer. | Several months |
Which fruits ripen on the counter?
Avocado, mango, pear, kiwi, plum, guava and dragon fruit — leave them at room temperature until they give to gentle pressure, then move them to the fridge to hold.
Which fruits go straight in the fridge?
Apples, grapes, cherries, blueberries, oranges, mandarins and pomegranate — they are already ripe and last longest kept cold.
Which fruit should I never wash before storing?
Berries, cherries and grapes. Washing adds moisture that causes mould — rinse them only just before eating.
How do I ripen fruit faster?
Put it in a paper bag with a banana or an apple. The natural ethylene they give off speeds up ripening within a day or two.
Frequently asked questions
How long do berries last in the fridge?
Blueberries keep 1–2 weeks and cherries about 5–7 days when refrigerated unwashed and kept dry.
How do I stop a cut avocado from browning?
Leave the pit in the unused half, brush the flesh with lemon juice, wrap it tightly and refrigerate.
Should I refrigerate unripe mangoes or avocados?
No — cold stops them ripening. Ripen at room temperature first, then refrigerate once soft.
