Eating fruit at work is a great way to improve your health, reduce your calorie intake, and avoid the afternoon sugar crash of less healthy foods. The FruitGuys share their tips for storage and ripening of popular fruit varieties.

Apples

Apples should be kept uncovered in a cool space away from sunlight and heat. Depending on the variety, they’ll keep for up to two weeks. When refrigerated, most apples can be stored for three to four weeks, and they’re an extra-refreshing treat. Note that it’s best not to refrigerate apples in a drawer or bag, as the ethylene gas they produce in enclosed spaces will continue to ripen the fruit.

Bananas

America’s favorite fruit is surprisingly fragile. They’re easily damaged by extreme temperatures (cold and hot) and humidity. We strive to deliver our bananas yellow with green tips to allow for optimal counter ripening. Keep bananas at room temperature and away from direct sunlight and heat. They become yellow, soft, and sweet as they ripen. If you want to speed the ripening process, put them in a paper bag with an apple overnight. The natural ethylene gas released by the apple will help ripen them. Refrigerating bananas will turn their peels black, but the flesh inside will continue to ripen, even refrigerated, and can still be eaten or, if too ripe, used for baking.

Citrus

Oranges, lemons, and limes can be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight for a couple of weeks. Refrigerated, they’ll stay fresh for several weeks.

Mangoes

Mangoes can be stored at room temperature and will continue to ripen. When they give slightly to the touch, they’re ready to eat. Refrigerate mangoes to slow down the ripening process.

Nectarines & Peaches

All stone fruit, including apricots, plums, and their hybrids, are climacteric, which means they ripen after picking. They should be stored at room temperature, away from sunlight and heat, until they give softly to the touch and have a sweet aroma. Ripening can be hastened by placing them in a paper bag on the counter. When they’ve reached the desired ripeness, you can refrigerate them, but chilling can lead to a mealy, flavorless texture.

For more detailed storage and ripening ideas, visit The FruitGuys Ripening and Storage page. Every fruit has a different shelf life. The FruitGuys deliver stone fruit and pears firm, as they are less likely to bruise during transit and will continue to ripen. Other fruit—berries, for example—should be eaten within two to three days of delivery. Items such as apples or oranges will last a week or more, depending on how they’re stored.