How to Store Oranges: 4 Tips for Storing Oranges

Follow these steps to prolong the life of fresh oranges: 1. __Put oranges in a mesh bag__. Place whole oranges in a plastic mesh bag so your fruits have some airflow. 2. __Place in the crisper drawer__. Oranges and tangerines keep best in cold places—to maximize quality, the crisper drawer in your fridge will prove most fruitful. Oranges in the fridge will stay fresh for up to an entire month. Meanwhile, oranges placed on the countertop will only last for a week. 3. __Store cut oranges in an airtight container__. Cut fruit will deteriorate more quickly, so it’s essential to cover cut oranges in plastic wrap or place the fruit in an airtight container. Store in the fridge, and use or eat the fruit within a week. You can store whole oranges in a zip-top freezer bag. Remove all the air from the bag and place it in the freezer, where the fruit will keep for up to a year. The juiciness and vitamin content of your orange may decrease over time in the freezer, and the fruit will also harden. It will remain edible and should thaw on your counter before eating, but the freshness will diminish after a few months. You can also squeeze the juice into ice cube trays. The juice will last for months in the freezer and can be a flavorful, unique ice cube for mixed drinks or a cooling ingredient for soups. Follow these storage tips to maintain the quality of your ripe oranges, which you can later use to make fresh orange juice, [smoothies](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/superfood-smoothie-guide), or cut up into simple orange slices for snacking on. 1. __Check for ripeness__. Ripe oranges will keep longer and taste better than overripe fruit (which will deteriorate quicker) and under-ripe fruit (which will not yet have developed their sweetness or juiciness). Citrus fruits do not ripen after picking, so seek out ready-to-use oranges when shopping at the grocery store. Look for vibrant, round fruit without spots or dents on the rinds. 2. __Avoid direct sunlight__. If you keep your oranges in sunlight, they won’t last long. Oranges prefer a cool dry place, such as the vegetable crisper in your refrigerator, but if you are storing oranges on the kitchen counter at room temperature, keep them in the shade and eat within a few days. 3. __Keep your oranges dry__. If your oranges arrive wet from the grocery store, dry them off with a paper towel before placing them in the refrigerator. Wet oranges are susceptible to mold growth. Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Mashama Bailey, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more. Both sweet and acidic, fresh oranges make for a nutritious, vitamin C–rich snack, and learning to store them properly can prolong their shelf life and enhance the flavor of recipes that call for these fruits.