How to Wash and Store Whole Oranges
When washed properly, the answer is that the shelf life of fresh oranges is several weeks!
- Remove oranges from the plastic bag or any other packaging
- Place oranges in a large bowl with 10 cups water and ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- Allow them to sit in the mixture for 2 minutes, then remove. This will remove harmful bacteria and mold spores
- Set them out on a towel at room temperature to dry completely before storing
- Store oranges in the crisper drawer of your fridge
Oranges in the Winter
Did you get oranges as a gift over the holidays? You may not think of fresh oranges when you think of Christmas stocking stuffers, however throughout history, people have filled their Christmas stockings with them. My husband and I actually grew up with this tradition as well. There are a few legends that surround why this became a tradition, but to keep it simple, oranges or fresh citrus were considered a luxury during the winter months.
The harvest season for oranges here in the US depends on which region they are grown in. There are different varieties of oranges that have different harvest times. But in California, the season is December through April, which is why many of us are seeing so many of them in the grocery store right now and they are the best quality.
I enjoy adding oranges them to a festive simmer pot, which I heat on my stove to make my house smell good during the holidays. I also like to dehydrate them (here is what I use to do this), and use them in a garland I hang up in my kitchen for decor.
I recently made these honey sliced oranges from the Ball Canning book. You can check out this video on YouTube to see how I made them. They were so good! I used my water bath canner to do this.
Hand Picked Oranges from Papa Citrus
Speaking of California, there is an orange farm in Oroville, Papa Citrus, that I order my freshly picked oranges from. Papa Citrus started back in the early 1930s and are a family-owned farm that goes back generations. They’re the oldest and last heirloom navel ranch in NorCal! I love that they choose not to use conventional techniques, like harvesting early, using gasses, or keeping them in cold storage. They literally pick them off the trees and ship the whole oranges straight to your door! These are my favorite types of businesses to support and I love getting a fruit box in the mail. Papa Citrus holds a special place in my heart since I grew up on a farm that can be traced back five generations.
Beware of Using a Fruit Bowl on Your Kitchen Counter
Many people love the look of a pretty fruit bowl full of fresh fruits on their kitchen counter, but this can actually be harmful to your citrus fruits. Apples and bananas will cause you to have rotten oranges faster than when they are stored on their own or in the refrigerator. Keep oranges away from these fresh fruits and out of direct sunlight for best results.
Oranges are produce buddies with lemons and avocados, so they can all be stored together in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. If you do not have them in the refrigerator, keep them in a dark place and avoid any humid areas. A cool dry place is the best place to keep your oranges in good condition and they will last a long time.
There are many different varieties of oranges to enjoy. Navel oranges and mandarin oranges are two of the most common varieties of oranges.
Other Storage Tips for Oranges:
- Store them in your refrigerator crisper drawer, as opposed to room temperature. If your garage is around the same temperature as your refrigerator, you can store them there too if your refrigerator is full.
- Store with lemons and avocados in the crisper drawer to increase the shelf life.
- Sufficient airflow is important. I store my oranges in a wire basket, ceramic basket weave fruit bowl, or a mesh bag.
You can usually smell which orange is going bad before you can see it. So, whenever you go to grab an orange, take a quick peek/sniff at the oranges that are left to see how they are all doing. You can also look for soft spots and a soft texture or signs of spoilage after a few weeks.
I’m not a fan of peeling oranges and avoid it whenever I can by enjoying cut oranges instead. My husband has this technique where he rolls them in his hands before peeling. He says it makes it easier. I’m not sure if there is some sort of science behind his technique, but it seems to work for him.
Storing Your Cut Oranges
After your oranges have been sliced, it is best store them in an airtight container. An airtight container will allow them to last longer than a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Cut oranges stored in a glass jar is also a great way to have a healthy snack on hand for everyone in the family to enjoy.
I love having this citrus fruit in our household at this time of year. They really brighten things up since it is usually gray and rainy where we are. Adding them to teas, desserts and even a festive cocktail are all great ways to enjoy them this holiday season (and sneak in some Vitamin C to support your immune system).
Learn more about the best way to wash and store fresh fruit in my book the Zero Waste Produce Guide. It has directions for washing and storing 75 produce items as well as recipe inspiration, organization tips, and much more!
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