Do not, under any circumstances, throw apples into the fridge like you’re a basketball player dunking on a toddler. Bruises are the enemy. A bruised apple releases even more ethylene gas, turning your fridge into a chaos zone where everything ripens too fast.
Also, if you store apples in a plastic bag without holes, they will suffocate and develop off-flavors. Use the original bag or a perforated produce bag. They need to breathe! Apples are not interred in a crypt; they’re in cold storage.
The Surprising Hero: The Freezer
I’m about to blow your mind. You can freeze apples. Yes, really. Wash them, core them, slice them, and toss them in a freezer bag. They won’t be crispy when thawed—they’ll be soft—but they are perfect for pies, applesauce, or smoothies for up to a year.
Do not freeze whole apples. That would be a crime. The water inside expands, and you end up with a frozen, rock-hard grenade that defrosts into watery mush. It’s a sad science experiment you don’t need in your life.
