Keep your orange tree fresh for up to a month with these prosperous tip .

When it comes tofood reposition and condom , it can be hard to keep thing straight , especially with produce . Some fruits , like berries and grape , should emphatically be refrigerated , while others , likebananasandtomatoes , do best on the counter . Still others , like cantaloupe , mangoes , and pears , can go either way . Wondering where citrus yield likeorangesfit in ? We tapped some experts to find out the best storage tips for keeping orange fresh .

Should Oranges Be Refrigerated?

Whether or not you should refrigerate Orange River for the most part comes down to how soon you contrive to use them . If you plan to consume them quickly , within one to two day , both of our experts agree that lay in them at elbow room temperature is totally fine .

“ You do n’t have to refrigerate oranges mightily away , ” Collingwood say . “ If you ’re plan to eat them within a calendar week , keeping them on the counter is fine . They ’ll in reality taste better because they ’re a bit sweeter at room temperature . ”

That tell , if you want to keep your oranges longer — about two to three hebdomad , or even up to a calendar month — before eating them fresh or using them in acakeorcocktail , it ’s in effect to store them in the icebox . Doing so will help slow down the ripening and keep them clean for much longer .

different types of oranges such as blood orange, mandarins and naval oranges overhead with some sliced open

Credit: Martin Poole / Getty Images

“ Oranges should be refrigerate to prevent moisture loss and keep grain and smack , ” Gomes tell . “ Since they are picked at the peak of ripeness , they typically do not require further mature after you ’ve purchased them . To maintain their impudence , observe them cold for as long as potential is key . ”

How to Store Oranges

If you plan to store Orange River at room temperature for a day or two , check that to keep them somewhere nerveless , dry , and off from unmediated sun . “ A fruit roll or an open basket is great because it lets them respire , ” Collingwood says .

If you ’re refrigerate oranges , Collingwood says to store them in thecrisper drawerand keep them in a   vented dish   or a well - ventilate container that reserve for air circulation . “ This helps forestall mould from forming , ” she says . “ You want them to stay fresh , not sloughy . ”

Gomes also cautions to avoid washing orangeness out front of time , as doing so will accelerate up the spoiling physical process . rather , plan to wash them mighty before eating . “ Even though you ’re just eating the form , it ’s good to give them a quick rinse to get rid of dirt , pesticide , or bacteria that might be hanging out on the cutis , ” Collingwood says .

And whether out on the counter or in your icebox , make certain to salt away oranges separately fromfruits that produce ethylene , such as apples and banana , which can speed up their ripening and spoilage operation . Potatoes and citrus tree should also be stored separately , Collingwood says , as potatoes release wet , which can make oranges mould faster . “ If you do n’t need yourfruit saladto turn into glop too quickly , give them some space , ” she says .

How Long Can Oranges Be Stored?

At room temperature , orange can be stored for a few days , and will sometimes last up to a calendar week .

In the refrigerator , oranges can be stored in the crisper drawer for up to one month . “ The cold slow down the ripen process , so they ’ll last much longer in there , ” Collingwood says .

Once cut , oranges should be refrigerate in an airtight container and enjoyed within 2 to 3 days , Gomes says .

Signs of Spoilage in Oranges

Not sure if your orange are safe to exhaust ? Collingwood and Gomes recommend keeping an heart out for these revealing signs of spoiling :