Keep apple slices from browning with this simple food storage hack

Apple slices are great to throw in your kid’s lunch for a healthy and filling snack. 

They taste the best when they are perfectly ripe and crisp. There are several storing methods to make sure they stay at their peak flavour for weeks until you want to eat them.

If you’re wanting to store the whole apple, you can keep it in a cool, dry spot away from other fruits and vegetables. That’s because they produce a gas called ethylene, which causes the ripening process to speed up.

You can even wrap them in newspaper, which should slow the release of ethylene.

READ MORE: This spinach storage hack will let you keep it weeks beyond best by date

But if you are looking to store apple slices, there’s another method that should do the trick.

When exposed to air, the inside of the apple begins to turn brown. Food Blog The Kitchn said it’s a natural discoloration caused by a reaction between the apples enzymes and oxygen.

The colour wouldn’t be too bad, but it can also affect taste, odour and nutritional value. 

If you’re putting apple slices in a lunch box, there’s several ways to halt oxidation. You can sprinkle a little lemon juice on the fruit to keep them fresh. 

The only issue with lemon juice is the apples will have a slightly lemony taste. Dusting cinnamon on the apple slices has the same effect, which offers a slightly more pleasant taste.

If you don’t want to change the taste at all, there’s another solution. Soak the apples in salt water. 

The Kitchn said a salt brine is the easiest way to prevent apples from browning. The tip comes from food photographers, who have to keep food looking great for hours while they get the shot. 

Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with a cup of cool water and mix until dissolved. Add in the apple slices and soak for 10 minutes. Then drain and keep the slices in an airtight container. 

Just rinse with water before you eat to get rid of any salty flavour.