Using cold storage to store fruit and vegetable is a scientific fresh-keeping method, which can better maintain their nutrients and moisture.
First, we talk about Fruit Cold Storage, it has 3 types: fresh cold storage, controlled atmosphere (CA) cold storage, and blast freezer cold storage.
Fruit Fresh Temp and Storage Time
Fresh Temp
For room temperature, fresh cold storage and controlled atmosphere cold storage (it’s a type of fresh cold storage, which adds a controlled atmosphere equipment) are roughly the same, is -2~5°C. Some tropical fruits (such as banana, mango, etc) are kept the temperature above 10°C.
The temperature of blast freezer cold storage is the lowest, which is around -18°C.
Storage Time
For storage time: blast freezer cold storage > controlled atmosphere cold storage > fresh cold storage
But for fruit quality:
CA cold storage has the best fresh-keeping effect, doesn’t destroy the fruit cell structure, and has the lowest loss; Fresh cold storage is worse; Although the blast freezer cold storage has a long storage time, the cell structure of the fruit will be destroyed due to the low temperature freezing during the storage, can’t maintain fruits’ original flavor.
| Cold Storage Type | Temp(°C) | Relative Humidity(%) | Gas Composition(%) | Storage Time (Month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh cold storage | 0~2 | 85~90 | - | 3~6 |
| Controlled Atmosphere cold storage | -0.5~1 | 90~95 | Oxygen is 3~5,Appropriate carbon dioxide | 8~12 |
Apples’ Storage Time
ATTENTION: Due to different producing areas and individual differences, different fruits have different fresh temperatures and times.
Fresh Cold Storage
| Name | Temp(°C) | Relative Humidity(%) | Storage Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut | 4.5 | 75 | 12 Months |
| Mango | 12.5 | 80~85 | 1 Month |
| Pineapple | 8~10 | 85~90 | 14~28 Days |
| Litchi | 0~3 | 85~90 | 3 Months |
| Loquat | 0 | 90 | 1 Month |
| Pawpaw | 10~15 | 60~65 | 30~45 Days |
| Banana | 7~11 | 85 | 50 Days |
Tropical Fruits’ Storage Time
| Name | Temp(°C) | Relative Humidity(%) | Storage Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grape | -1~3 | 85~90 | 1 Months |
| Nectarine | 0 | 85~90 | 5 Months |
| Pitaya | 3~4 | 80~90 | 45 Days |
| Cherry | 0.5~1 | 80 | 7~21 Days |
| Red dates(Fresh) | -2~1 | 90~95 | 3 Months |
| Tangerine | 1~2 | 75~80 | 1~3 Months |
| Plum | 0~1 | 90 | 2 Months |
| Lemon | 5~10 | 85~90 | 2 Months |
| Banana | 7~11 | 85 | 14 Days |
Subtropical Fruits’ Storage Time
| Name | Temp(°C) | Relative Humidity(%) | Storage Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melon | 4~6 | 85~90 | 3 Months |
| Persimmon | -1~0 | 85~90 | 3 Months |
| Strawberry | -1 | 85~90 | 1 Month |
| Cantaloupe | 3~4 | 80 | 5~6 Months |
| Orange | 1~2 | 75~80 | 1~3 Months |
| Apricot | 0~1 | 90~95 | 7~12 Days |
| Bayberry | 0 | 75~85 | 7~10 Days |
| Peach | -1~0 | 90~95 | 1 Month |
| Apple | -1~1 | 80~85 | 3 Months |
| Watermelon | 10~12 | 80~85 | 1~2 Months |
| Kiwi | 0~1 | 90~95 | 6~7 Months |
Temperate and Frigid Fruits’ Storage Time
CA Cold Storage
| Fruit Name | Temp(°C) | Relative Humidity % | O2 Content % | CO2 Content % | Storage Time (Months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 0~1 | 85~95 | 2~5 | 2~5 | 10 |
| Pear | 0 | 90~95 | 5 | >2 | 8 |
| Pomegranate | 0~2 | 85~95 | 2~4 | 12 | 6 |
| Peach | 0 | 85~90 | 3 | 5 | 3~6 |
| Kiwi | 0~1 | 90~95 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Strawberry | 0~1 | 85~95 | 3 | 6 | 1~2 |
| Watermelon | 2~4 | 75~85 | 3~5 | 3~5 | 2 |
| Cantaloupe | 3~4 | 80 | 3~5 | 1~1.5 | 6 |
| Plum | 0 | 80~95 | 3~5 | 2~5 | 1~2 |
| Persimmon | -1 | 90 | 3~5 | 8 | 3~5 |
Blast Freezer Cold Storage
| Fruit Name | Temp(°C) | Storage Time ( Months) |
|---|---|---|
| Durian | -18~-22 | 6~8 |
| Peach | -18 | 12 |
| Blueberry | -18 | 12 |
| Cherry | -18 | 12 |
Fruit Storage Precaution
1). Pre-cool the fruits before putting them into cold storage
Pre-cooling can inhibit the respiration and transpiration of the fruit after picking, and at the same time help the fruit better adapt to the low-temperature environment of cold storage.
2). Keep the cold storage temperature stable
Temperature difference should be ±1°C. If the temperature is too high, the respiration intensity of the fruit will rise, resulting in post-ripening. Too low temperature can cause frostbite to the fruit.
3). Keep the humidity stable
Excessive humidity can easily cause condensation and deterioration of fruits. Too low humidity will cause the fruit to lose water and dry up, losing its edible value.
4). Don’t mix different fruits
The room temperature of fruit cold storage is related to the growth characteristics of fruits. Tropical fruits can’t mix with temperate and frigid zones fruits. Excessive temperature differences will cause freezing damage to fruits in temperate and frigid zones.
Meanwhile, high temperature will also accelerate the growth and reproduction of mold and other bacteria, resulting in rot and deterioration of fruits infected with bacteria.
Humidity is very important for fruit storage. When the fruits are mixed in cold storage, the room humidity can’t meet various humidity requirements.
Some fruits such as banana, persimmon, apple, kiwi, and other climacteric fruits release ethylene when ripe. Ethylene is a plant hormone that promotes fruit ripening. When fruits are mixed, it will lead to accelerated ripening of other fruit.
Vegetable Cold Storage Temperature
The temperature of vegetable cold storage is roughly 0~15°C, which temperature can inhibit the activity of microbes, reduce the decay rate of vegetables, and prolong the storage time of vegetables.
There listed the approximate cold room temperatures of main vegetables:
| Root Vegetable | Room Temp(°C) | Leafy Vegetables | Room Temp(°C) | Melon Vegetables | Room Temp(°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic | 0~5 | Chinese chives | 0~3 | Cucumber | 10~15 |
| Carrot | 0~5 | Kale | 0~3 | Winter melon | 10~15 |
| Celery | 0~5 | Spinach | 0~3 | Pumpkin | 10~15 |
| Ginger | 0~15 | Chinese cabbage | 0~3 | Momordica charantia | 10~15 |
| Taro | 0~15 | Lettuce | 0~3 | Squash | 10~15 |
| Sweet potato | 0~15 | Zizania | 0~3 | Chayote | 5~10 |
Vegetable Cold Storage Temp
Conclusion
Cold storage is the best solution to keep fruits and vegetables fresh, it’s convenient and economic, welcome contact our staff to know more knowledge about our cold room and refrigeration systems.
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