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How to Best Store Citrus Fruits: Mammarancia’s Tips!
Citrus fruits, especially our beloved Sicilian Blood Oranges, are precious gems packed with nature’s best: flavor, vitamins, and freshness. However, to keep them at their best for longer, it’s essential to store them correctly.
At Mammarancia, we take care of these fruits every day, and we want to share the best tips with you to preserve citrus fruits and extend their freshness.
Where should you store citrus fruits to keep them fresh longer?
Depending on when you plan to eat them, you can choose the best storage method:
✅ At room temperature
If you plan to consume your citrus fruits within 4-5 days, you can safely keep them in a bowl or on your kitchen counter. Just make sure to:
- Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Place them in a well-ventilated area.
✅ In the fridge for longer freshness
If you want to extend their shelf life up to 2-3 weeks, the fridge is your best bet. Here’s what we recommend:
- Store them in the fruit drawer at 4-8°C.
- Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap too much moisture, leading to mold.
- Prefer mesh or paper bags, which allow for better airflow.
Attention! Don’t leave them in the box – here’s why
When you receive your citrus fruits, the first thing you should do is take them out of the box and place them somewhere they can “breathe”.
Citrus fruits need good air circulation: keeping them in a closed crate traps humidity and speeds up spoilage.
🌿 Our tip: Transfer them to a wicker basket or a wide bowl, making sure they aren’t too stacked.
Remove damaged fruits to prevent mold
If you notice an orange with a small bruise or signs of mold, remove it immediately to prevent the issue from spreading to the others.
💡 Something to know about organic oranges
Since organic citrus fruits are not treated with post-harvest chemicals, they can develop mold more easily than industrially treated ones. But don’t worry! This is actually a sign of their authenticity and naturalness. To keep them fresh, just follow these simple steps:
- Check them daily, especially if stored at room temperature.
- Dry them well if they come into contact with water or humidity.
- Keep damaged fruits separate to avoid contaminating the others.
Temperature matters: keep it stable!
Sudden temperature changes can affect the freshness of citrus fruits. That’s why you should:
- Avoid moving them in and out of the fridge, as moisture can form on the peel, encouraging mold growth.
- Avoid hot places, which speed up ripening.
If stored properly, our Tarocco, Moro, and Sanguinello oranges will keep their authentic flavor for weeks! 🍊
What if your oranges are getting too ripe?
Sometimes, you may have overripe oranges that you don’t want to waste. Here’s how to make the most of them:
🍊 Fresh juice – Perfect for a morning vitamin C boost!
🍊 Blood orange marmalade – A classic for breakfast or delicious desserts.
🍊 Dried orange peel – Great for flavoring teas, desserts, or savory dishes.
Want more ideas? Check out our Blood Orange Recipes!
The freshness of Mammarancia, straight to your home
At Mammarancia, we select only the finest Sicilian Blood Oranges, carefully grown and shipped directly to your home with no middlemen.
Follow these tips to store them properly and enjoy all their goodness!
Want to taste the freshness of Tarocco, Moro, and Sanguinello oranges?
➡ Explore our selection of fresh citrus fruits and bring the authentic taste of Sicily to your table!