Contents
You can store tangerines at home on an insulated balcony, in a cellar, in a refrigerator or in a pantry. The temperature should be no more than +8 ° C, and the humidity level should be about 80%. The place is chosen dark and well ventilated. In such conditions, citrus fruits lie for a maximum of 4-6 months. At the same time, they need to be periodically reviewed in order to notice rotten or dried fruits in time and throw them away.
Varieties of tangerines for long-term storage
Abkhazian and Moroccan tangerines, as well as most hybrids, last the longest: Clementine, Nadorkott, Unshiu, Calamondin, Rangpur, Mineola and others.
Varieties with long periods normally lie up to 4-6 months (but no more). Turkish and Spanish varieties, on the other hand, deteriorate the fastest. They manage to keep no longer than 2-3 months. Therefore, they are pre-treated with wax or other means, which allows you to increase the keeping quality by 3-4 weeks.
Shelf life of tangerines
Subject to all the rules (temperature, humidity, darkness, ventilation), fruits are stored for four months. The deadline is six months. During this time, it is possible to preserve citrus fruits of foreign varieties. After that, the tangerines dry out, they can rot. They will lose their taste, useful composition, and presentation.
Storage temperature of tangerines
The optimal storage temperature for ripe tangerines is the range from 4 to 8 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity level in the room should be between 70-80%. A lower value will cause the tangerines to dry out. This will shorten the shelf life. If the air in the room is too humid, mold may appear on the surface, due to which the fruit will begin to rot.
Periodic or regular temperature fluctuations will lead to a significant reduction in terms and product spoilage.
During storage, it is necessary to monitor the fruits themselves. They are periodically turned over and checked for black spots, rot and mold. Affected specimens are immediately separated from the rest.
Where and how to store tangerines at home
At home, a warmed balcony, loggia or cellar is suitable for storing fruit. For a short time, tangerines can be put in the refrigerator. In this case, direct contact with light should be excluded. The fruits are placed in a dark room or covered with a dense cloth.
On the balcony
The balcony can be used to store tangerines, but only if it is sufficiently insulated (the minimum temperature is 1–2 degrees Celsius). During the entire period, it is necessary to periodically ventilate the room, avoiding high humidity.
Tangerines are laid out in one layer in a wooden or plastic box. Then cover with a thick cloth so that sunlight does not pass through. At the same time, air should penetrate freely, so it is better to take matter from natural materials. The boxes are placed as far as possible from the window, especially if it is leaky (there are gaps into which the cold wind blows). Subject to these rules, citrus fruits can lie from 3 to 4 months.
In room conditions
At room temperature, tangerines can be stored for no more than a week.
Usually the air in the apartment is dry, so the fruits begin to lose moisture. Without observing the storage conditions, tangerines can be kept in small quantities. It is necessary to focus on the fact that a healthy person can eat no more than three fruits per day.
In the cellar
The cellar is also suitable for storing citrus fruits in winter. They can be laid in different ways:
- several layers in a box or container;
- on pallets;
- wrap with tissue paper and place on top of each other.
If all requirements are met and the temperature does not rise above + 8 ° C, the fruit can be stored for four months. The advantages of the cellar are that this room is specially equipped to constantly maintain the same conditions (including humidity).
Unlike a balcony and a refrigerator, a large amount of fruit can be kept in the cellar for a long time – tens and hundreds of kilograms
It is necessary to periodically check the condition of the crop in order to notice spoiled specimens in a timely manner.
Is it possible to store tangerines in the refrigerator
You can store citrus fruits in the refrigerator in different containers:
- in a cardboard box;
- in a plastic bag (if there are many holes);
- in the fruit and vegetable drawer (at the bottom). In this case, tangerines should be kept separately from them.
Before laying, all fruits must be checked for dryness. The presence of even small drops will lead to decay. If the conditions are met, citrus fruits can be stored for a maximum of four weeks. After that, they will begin to dry out, and the taste will deteriorate.
After defrosting, they are eaten immediately. You can use it fresh, cook compote, pastries and other dishes.
Storing unripe tangerines
If the fruits are green, they must be sorted in advance according to the degree of immaturity:
- Greenery is small (up to a third of the surface): such fruits are stored at a reduced temperature (2–3 degrees Celsius) and high humidity (90%).
- The fruits are almost green (more than 50%): the temperature should be 4–6 degrees Celsius, and the humidity should be about 80%.
Unlike many other fruits, citrus fruits do not ripen during storage. Under the conditions described, they will remain with greenery. Before eating or preparing the blanks, you just need to put them in a warm place (at room temperature) and hold for several days until fully ripe.
How tangerines are processed to increase shelf life
To increase the shelf life, the fruits are processed by various means:
- Sunflower oil, odorless. It is best to take refined.
- Beeswax.
- Ethylene (gas is fed into bags with citrus fruits).
- Antifungal drugs.
- Means against the fruit fly.
Fruits covered with an oily coating can be kept up to four weeks longer than usual
Conclusion
Store tangerines at home is allowed in the refrigerator (up to 1 month) or in the room (up to 7 days). In special cellars, the harvest can be kept from three to six months. The specific period depends not only on the conditions, but also on the characteristics of the variety itself. If you treat the surface with wax, then citrus fruits will lie for another 3-4 weeks.
