How Cold Storage Increases the Shelf Life of Apples
Apple, a favourite fruit among consumers, is enjoyed for its sweet flavour and crisp texture. Many of us enjoy fresh apples and get nutrients all year round. But, you might have wondered how you can still find fresh apples even in spring when they are actually harvested in the fall. Naturally, at room temperature, apples will only last about 5 to 7 days. After that the quality of the apples starts to degrade. However, maintaining their freshness can be challenging, especially when they are harvested in large quantities.
Producers need a specific environment if they want their fruits to last fresh and long. This is when Cold storage comes into play and becomes a game-changer, helping to extend the shelf life of apples. In this blog, we explore how to build cold storage for apples, the conditions required for optimal storage of apples, and the benefits it offers.
What is Apple’s Cold Storage?
Before jumping into the apple’s cold storage let’s know what cold storage is. Cold storage is a type of room specially designed for storing perishable goods at low temperatures. This room is essential for a wide range of industries including the Meat and Poultry Industry, Agriculture and fruits industry, Dairy and ice cream industry, and so on.
Apple’s cold storage or cold storage for apples refers to the environment where apples are stored in a controlled environment where the temperature is usually low. The optimal controlled temperature helps to slow down the ripening process of apples. This technique is important for extending the shelf life of apples, as it allows them to remain fresh for a long period.
Advantages of Apple Cold Storage
Usually after harvesting, apples go through different processes before reaching the end consumers including pre-cooling, grading, storing, packaging, transportation, and finally marketing. Producers always want their products to reach a fresh condition to their customers and get a return on their investment, this is where cold storage for apples becomes crucial. Now that we understand what Apple’s cold storage is, let’s have a look at several advantages it offers for both producers and consumers:
1. Extended Shelf Life
One of the most obvious advantages of cold storage is the extended shelf life of apples. If the apples are stored properly at the right temperature then they can last for several months without losing their quality. This allows producers to distribute the apples even in off-season, ensuring that apples remain fresh for consumers long after harvest. In addition to the shelf life of apples, cold storage also plays an important role in preserving their quality.
2. Preservation of Quality
Storing apples in a cold storage room helps to maintain the taste, texture, and nutritional value of apples. The controlled low temperatures help to slow down the ripening processes and preserve the crispiness and flavour of the fruit. This means consumers can enjoy apples that taste as good as freshly picked, even months after harvest. By preserving the quality of apples, it also addresses the wastage issues faced by the producers.
3. Reduction of Waste
One of the biggest challenges for the producers is the wastage of fruits. Cold storage significantly reduces the spoilage of apples by extending the shelf life. This is especially important because a lot of harvested fruits can spoil before reaching the market. Thus, the reduction of waste not only saves money for producers but also benefits a sustainable food system and increases customer satisfaction.
4. Increased Consumer Satisfaction
Apples’ cold storage not only gives an advantage to producers but also consumers are benefited as they get fresh and high quality apples all around the year. This helps to enhance the customer experience and also builds trust in brands and retailers that offer well-preserved apples.
While there are many more advantages of apples’ cold storage, it is worth noting that this one-time investment provides you return throughout the year. Now that you understand the advantages, it’s important to know the conditions required for storing it properly.
Cold Storage Conditions for Apples
Cold storage is the primary method for storing apples to extend their shelf life. The controlled temperatures in the cold storage help to maintain desired oxygen which helps to slow down the ripening process and prevent it from spoiling. There are several key conditions that need to be met to maximise the benefits of cold storage including:
1. Temperature
There are many varieties of apples which need to be stored at the ideal temperature. The ideal temperature ranges between 30° and 35° F (-1° C to 1.67° C). However, some varieties of apples are sensitive to cold and may suffer internal browning of the skin if it is stored at low temperatures. To slow down the ripening process and avoid spoilage it should be stored at 38° to 40° F (3.3° C to 4.4° C).
2. Humidity
Humidity is an important part of storage conditions after harvesting apples. To maintain the freshness of the apple the humidity levels should be around 90-95%. This helps to prevent the dehydration and drying of the apples, ensuring that the crispness of the apples is preserved.
3. Storage Duration
With proper cold storage and maintaining the required temperature, apples can last anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the variety. Generally, certain types which are less acidic can last longer than the sweeter varieties.
4. Sanitation Practice
Maintaining a clean storage environment is important to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria, which can lead to spoilage. It should be cleaned before use, so remove all fruits and bins to sanitise walls and floors. Regular sanitation and cleaning help ensure that the apples stay fresh for a long period.
5. Air Circulation
Good air circulation in the storage room is important. Apples naturally produce ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening. Ensuring good airflow helps spread this gas and reduces the risk of early spoilage of apples.
6. Freezing Point
The freezing points may vary depending on the varieties of apples. For most of the apples, the temperature should be maintained as it can be damaged at temperatures below 28 °F (-2°C). Freezing can lead to the loss and discolouration of texture, and flavour.
7. Lighting
The exposure of apples to the light can initiate the ripening process. However, to prevent this the apples should be stored in dark conditions to slow down the spoilage.
Thus, these are the conditions that must be met to prevent spoilage, wastage, and extend the shelf life of apples. Now that you know the conditions to store the apples, let’s have a look at how to build a cold storage room for apples.
How to Build a Cold Storage Room for Apple?
As you are now well aware of why you need a cold storage room and what are the conditions that should be met for storing apples in cold storage. Let’s come to the main point now on how to build a cold storage room for apples. Building a cold storage room involves several steps:
1. Selection of Suitable Location
Choosing a location for building cold storage is one of the most important things that should be considered. You need to select a place that naturally maintains cooler temperatures where there is no direct sunlight. However, you must ensure that the location is easy to access and near a transport route so that it is easy for the movement of apples.
2. Insulation
For building a cold storage you must ensure that the rooms are properly insulated which helps to maintain the required temperature. The walls, floor, and ceilings should be well insulated to prevent the heat from the outside environment. Also, minimise the use of doors frequently to avoid the loss of temperature.
3. Cooling System
While building cold storage, you must invest in an energy-efficient refrigeration unit which maintains the optimal conditions inside for storing apples. The temperature should be between 0 °C and 4°C (32°F to 39°F) for maintaining the freshness and preventing spoilage. Additionally, controlling humidity level is important to prevent dehydration, which can be done by using a humidifier. Note that, to ensure even temperature all around the room proper airflow is important.
4. Shelving
Cold storage rooms should be only built of single-storeyed stainless steel to resist moisture. Avoid using wood for building cold storage as it can lead to the growth of mould and spoil the apples. Ensure that the shelves are spaced properly to have good airflow and even cooling inside the room. Additionally, to prevent damage and preserve the freshness of apples, store them in ventilated crates or bins.
5. Monitoring Equipment
The temperature inside the cold storage room may fluctuate sometimes. To maintain optimal conditions in the room, it is important to install temperature and humidity monitoring systems. These systems will help you track any fluctuations inside the room. Additionally, setting up an alert system will notify you if the conditions change, and allow for quick action to keep the right environment.
Thus, this is how you should build a cold storage room for apples and have the advantage of supplying fresh apples all year round. This not only helps you gain profit by preventing wastage of apples but also gains customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
In the world of industries associated with perishable goods like apples, cold storage rooms for apples significantly play a vital role in the supply chain. With the right storage conditions and cold storage facilities, farmers and producers can not only get maximum profit but consumers can also enjoy the fresh fruit. By understanding the conditions required to store the apples effectively and investing in proper storage facilities, producers can enhance the shelf life and quality. This ensures benefits for both farmers and consumers. That said, investing in Apple cold storage is a huge investment.
In this blog, we explore how cold storage increases the shelf life of apples and its numerous advantages. Additionally, we discuss the specific conditions required for apple cold storage, the steps to build a cold storage facility. If you want the best cold storage room manufacturer in Nepal, contact Nepcool.
And if you want further insights into the various aspects of cold storage rooms, check out some of our other blogs. Thank you for reading till the end. We hope you found this helpful.
FAQs on How Cold Storage Increases the Shelf Life of Apples
1. How does cold storage for apples work?
Cold storage for apples works by maintaining the temperatures and humidity levels. These conditions help to control the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels which slow down the ripening process and prevent spoilage. Ultimately, this ensures to extend the shelf life of apples for months, by minimising the growth of mould.
2. What is the shelf life of apples in cold storage?
The shelf life of apples in cold storage can last from several weeks to 2-3 months, depending on the varieties of apples and storage conditions. Varieties like Green apples (sour apples) last longer, while controlled temperature and humidity levels slow down the ripening and extend shelf life.
3. How to increase the shelf life of apples?
To increase the shelf life of apples you can store them in a cold storage room with controlled temperatures and humidity level. This helps to maintain the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels which slows down the ripening process, preventing spoilage, waste and keeping apples fresh for a long time.
4. What is the best storage for apples?
The best storage for apples is a cold storage room which is designed with a refrigeration unit to maintain temperature and humidity levels. Storing apples in cold storage slows down the ripening process and reduces the growth of mould. Therefore, this helps them to remain fresh and of good quality for an extended period.
5. What types of apples can we store in cold storage?
There are many varieties of apples that can be stored in cold storage, particularly those with thicker skins. Fuji apples, Rome, Red delicious, and Pink lady are good options for storing for a longer period as these varieties can remain fresh for up to six months after harvest. To keep these apples fresh and maintain their flavour, you must store it at controlled temperature and humidity.