The Most Common Mistake You’re Making with Fruit Storage

Fruit bowls are a staple on many kitchen counters, often seen alongside the toaster and coffee maker. Many families, including mine, keep their fruit—bananas, apples, oranges, and more—displayed in a bowl on the counter.

A fruit bowl not only adds a touch of charm to your kitchen but also serves as a helpful reminder to eat the fruit you have. Out of sight often means out of mind (at least for me), so having one central spot for all my fruit solves this issue.

However, this seemingly convenient setup might actually be causing more harm than good—here’s why.

What’s Wrong with Using a Fruit Bowl?

Storing Bananas and Apples Together Will Speed Up Their Spoiling

Both bananas and apples, along with other fruits like kiwis and vegetables such as onions and leafy greens, are sensitive to ethylene. When an ethylene-producing fruit is stored in a bowl with an ethylene-sensitive one, the gas builds up in the space, causing the fruits to ripen too quickly and lose their freshness.

Tips for Storing Apples

You can keep apples on the counter, but it’s crucial to store them away from other ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables. They don’t need to be across the kitchen from them, just on opposite sides of the counter.

The best place for apples is the fridge, as they thrive in cold environments. There’s nothing quite like a crisp, cold apple for a refreshing snack.

The Same Rule Applies When Storing Ethylene-Producing Produce in the Fridge: Keep Them Separate

Tips for Storing Bananas

If you're baking banana bread, tossing overripe bananas in a bowl with other fruit can actually work in your favor. It's a clever trick if you want a fruit to ripen faster.

Otherwise, bananas should be kept away from other produce like apples, potatoes, and tomatoes. Where you store them is a matter of preference—if you eat them quickly, you may not need the fridge to keep them fresh.

Bananas can be kept on the counter, but if they ripen before you're ready to eat them, place them in the fridge to extend their shelf life. Tying the stems together with string or plastic wrap can also help slow down their ripening process.

I usually keep my bananas on the counter instead of the fridge, simply because I don't have the space. When ripe, they typically last for about two or three days at room temperature, but if stored in a cooler place, they can stay fresh for up to a week.