Content
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%. A place that is darkened and well-ventilated is chosen. In such conditions, citrus fruits lie a maximum of 4-6 months. At the same time, they need to be reviewed periodically in order to notice rotten or dried fruits in time and throw them away.
Tangerine varieties for long-term storage
Abkhazian and Moroccan mandarins, as well as most hybrids: Clementine, Nadorkott, Unshiu, Kalamondin, Rangpur, Mineola and others, are preserved the longest.
Long-term varieties normally lie up to 4–6 months (but no more). Turkish and Spanish varieties, on the other hand, spoil the fastest. They can be kept for no longer than 2-3 months. Therefore, they are pretreated with wax or other means, which makes it possible to increase keeping quality by 3-4 weeks.
Shelf life of tangerines
If all the rules (temperature, humidity, darkening, airing) are observed, fruits are stored for four months. The deadline is six months. During this time, it is possible to preserve foreign citrus varieties. After that, the tangerines dry out, they can rot. They will lose their taste, useful composition, as well as their presentation.
Tangerine storage temperature
The optimum storage temperature for ripe tangerines is between 4 and 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, which will cause the fruit to rot.
Periodic or regular temperature fluctuations will lead to a significant reduction in terms and deterioration of the product.
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, an insulated 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 thick 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 a single layer in a wooden or plastic box. Then cover with a thick cloth so that sunlight does not pass. In this case, air must penetrate freely, so it is better to take matter from natural materials. The boxes are placed as far from the window as possible, especially if it is not airtight (there are cracks in which a cold wind blows). If you follow these rules, citrus fruits will be able to lie from 3 to 4 months.
Indoor conditions
At room temperature, tangerines are 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:
- in 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.
Can tangerines be kept 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 (bottom). In this case, tangerines should be kept separate from them.
Before laying, all fruits must be checked for dryness. 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. Can be eaten fresh, prepared compote, pastries and other dishes.
Storing unripe tangerines
If the fruits are green, they must be sorted in advance by the degree of immaturity:
- The 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 practically green (over 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. In the described conditions, they will remain with the greens. Before using or preparing blanks, you just need to put them in a warm place (at room temperature) and hold them for several days until they are fully ripe.
How tangerines are processed to increase shelf life
To increase the shelf life, the fruits are treated with different means:
- Unscented sunflower oil. It is best to take refined.
- Beeswax.
- Ethylene (gas is fed into bags of citrus fruits).
- Antifungal drugs.
- Fruit fly remedies.
Fruits covered with an oily bloom can be kept up to four weeks longer than usual
Conclusion
It is allowed to store tangerines at home 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 wax the surface, the citrus fruits will stay for another 3-4 weeks.
