Since we're talking about apples.....
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
July 20, 2009 9:55am CST
We weren't, were we? But I do have a question.
My daughter loves apples, as long as mom peels them and cuts them in nice little pieces:) Now that she needs to take a lunch to work, I've been including some fruit for her, but have been avoiding apples because she won't eat them if they're not peeled and we all know that if we peel an apple it will start oxidizing right away, getting dark and not too appealing.
Now I remember that Adessa used to send me apples for lunch. Unpeeled and cut. But for some reason they were never dark. They actually looked as good as if they had been peeled right at that moment.
I heard that a few drops of lemon juice might help, but I worry that the taste of the lemon might not work with my daughter.
So , does anyone know , what I can do to the apples so they still look fine and appetizing many hours after they were peeled and cut?
I so want to send some apples for her, but have no idea of how to do it.
Some help will be appreciated:)
1 person likes this
6 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
20 Jul 09
Isn't it the air getting to them that makes them dark? Maybe heat, too if they stay room temp too long. I'm with your daughter, but I peel and cut mine and store them in the fridge all the time and they never get dark, maybe a little tan if they are left too long, but never unappetizing. I just put them in a tightly sealed plastic bag with no air.
How about Fruit Fresh? Citric acid or ascorbic acid crystals. I'd pick lime over lemon if going the juice route, though.
A bit scholarly, but here is an article on the subject:
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Natural-anti-browning-agents-give-fresh-cut-fruit-potential
How to keep the air away from the freshly cut apple slices you might ask? I happen to have written an article about that:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/596315/another_microwave_steaming_bag_hit.html?cat=22
2 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
21 Jul 09
Thanks for the info drannhh, I will have to check the fruit fresh thing.
WHile I'm here I want to thank you for the links as well. I actually spend quite some time exploring the first one and enjoyed the second one, but it wasn't about fresh cut apple slices, but the glad and ziplock steam bags. I liked it by the way:)
I prefer glade myself but ziplock does have some redeeming qualities :):)
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Egads, I pasted the wrong link. I meant to give you the one comparing the two brands of portable vacuum seal bags -- which do help keep the apple slices air-tight and therefore fresh. Those others would result in applesauce! Speaking of which have you tried the peach/mango flavored applesauce yet? That one is my favorite.
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
20 Jul 09
There are several ways to keep a peeled and cut up apple from turning brown. You can brush it with lemon or lime juice. It you are careful not to use too much it will not change the flavor of the apple. You can also dip the all the pieces in apple juice. take a quart of water and 2 tablespoons of a citric juice and spray on the apple pieces he immediately put them in a baggy and squeeze all the ail out as you seal it. You can also buy a product called fruit fresh. Some of this is mixed with water them mixed with the fruit.
@GardenGerty (157645)
• United States
1 Aug 09
Try dipping them in apple juice after peeling anf before packing them. It works at least part of the time. Make sure that what you pack them in is air tight.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170299)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I think taht apples are really good for you. The old adage is "An apple a day will keep the doctor away." I think apples are excellent and will be able to helpyou out.
A little lemon juice is supposed to keep fruit from oxidizing and I think that will be something you can use to keep your fruit fresh.
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@Improbability (140)
• United States
20 Jul 09
No idea how to preserve a peeled apple, but I have an alternative. Since you're taking the peel off and most of the nutrition with it, you could always do applesauce. Get the prepackaged containers, or your own small storage devices, and send her on her way. The only thing different is the crunch, but the taste is the same. There's also sugar free options if that is a concern. Sorry I can't help with your direct question.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
20 Jul 09
Well that's an idea. I had not thought about applesauce. Not sure if she likes it, though. She went trough a phase where she loved it and one where she hated it, not sure where she is now LOL
Still thanks for the idea, it seems to be that it might work as well :)
@grace118224 (1038)
• China
21 Jul 09
In this situation i think your daughter will be deeply moved by what you have done for her. In fact it's more easier for her to change to eat an unpeeled apple .
1 person likes this
