How Long Do Cut and Mixed Fruits Stay Fresh in the Refrigerator?

Sliced or mixed fruits generally stay fresh for 2-3 days in a covered container in the refrigerator; this is much shorter than for whole fruit because the cut surfaces come into contact with air and quickly begin to dry out and darken. Some fruits such as bananas and apples begin to darken shortly after being cut, while fruits such as grapes and strawberries are a little more resistant; for this reason, the shelf life of a mixed fruit salad is determined by the most delicate fruit in it. Are there ways to delay browning? Drizzling a few drops of lemon juice over cut apple or banana slices slows their contact with air and noticeably delays browning. Adding these kinds of fruit last when preparing a fruit salad also prevents the cut surfaces from being exposed for a long time. Instead of packing the fruit tightly into a container and covering it with plastic wrap, using a lid that allows a little airflow reduces sweating and juice release; moisture that builds up in tightly sealed containers may cause the fruit to soften more quickly. Which fruits should not be mixed? Some fruits, such as pineapple, can quickly crush and soften nearby delicate fruit and make it watery because of the enzymes they contain; keeping these fruits separate until serving and mixing them in last helps the salad stay firm. Juicy fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe release their own juices after being cut, so occasionally pouring off the liquid that collects at the bottom of the container helps the other fruits stay firm longer too. Should fruit salad be prepared ahead of time? If preparing fruit salad for a gathering, add the fruits most prone to browning just before serving, while the remaining firm fruits can be cut a day ahead and stored in a covered container. Drizzling a thin layer of fruit juice (such as orange or apple juice) over the prepared fruit salad adds flavor and somewhat extends freshness by reducing the fruit's contact with air. It is also important to stir salad in a large container gently; vigorous stirring crushes the fruit and causes it to release juice early, which negatively affects both its appearance and storage life. Frozen fruit pieces should not be added to a fresh mixture; frozen fruit releases excess water as it thaws and can cause the fresh fruit in the mixture to soften early as well. Sweeteners such as honey or syrup added to fruit salad also increase the liquid, so adding them just before serving reduces the salad becoming watery while it sits in the refrigerator. If citrus is added to the fruit salad, adding it with the membranes removed improves presentation and reduces excess liquid from the membranes making the salad watery. If leftover fruit salad will be eaten the next day, removing and pouring off the excess liquid with a spoon helps the remaining fruit stay less watery. Overall, cut fruit has a much shorter shelf life than whole fruit, so cutting only as much as needed and eating it soon gives the best result.