STORING APPLES
Michigan State University Extension 
Preserving Food Safely - 01600656 
08/03/99 

Late maturing varieties of apples will store for use 
throughout the winter if the fruit is hard, mature and in 
perfect condition. Apples picked too green are subject to a 
number of storage disorders, such as scald and bitter pit; 
if picked beyond maturity, they quickly become overripe in 
storage. 

Cool as quickly as possible after harvest for best 
results. For most varieties of apples, the optimum storage 
temperature is 30 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit with a 90% 
relative humidity. Higher storage temperatures reduce the 
storage life considerably, and apples ripen twice as fast 
at 40 degrees Fahrenheit as at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Apples can be stored outdoors in insulated boxes or 
straw-lined pits or buried containers as long as the outside 
temperatures are above 10 degrees Fahrenheit. They will 
last longer and retain more flavor if kept in a fruit 
cellar in plastic bags or in cardboard boxes lined with 
plastic sheets. However, the cardboard box and plastic bags 
or liners must be perforated to allow air circulation. If 
the fruits are individually wrapped in tissue paper or 
newspaper before being placed in boxes or baskets, better 
results will be achieved. Plastic liners help maintain high 
humidity and prevent the apples from being affected by the 
surrounding air. The balance of humidity is subtle; 
excess humidity will encourage decay, and insufficient 
humidity will encourage shriveling. 

Avoid storing apples too long and regularly check for 
signs of spoilage. Mustiness will spread to healthy 
specimens. Storage duration depends on the variety. 


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