Why It's A Bad Idea To Refrigerate Stone Fruit

Cherries, mangos, dates, and peaches are some of our favorite stone fruits. They just scream summer and make us long for a date shake reminiscent of those you can find at highway stands while driving through Coachella Valley in Southern California. Or perhaps you prefer a slice of peach pie with a little vanilla ice cream while picnicking with friends or sitting in the backyard with the kids, eating cherries and having cherry pit-spitting contests as the sun sets. However you enjoy your stone fruits, they just make us feel relaxed and carefree, and for good reason. 

According to The Washington Post, stone fruits are in season from May to October and are labeled as such because of the big pit in the center that actually houses the seeds of these fruits. They're also referred to as drupes, but let's be honest, stone fruit definitely sounds cooler. If you are a fan of stone fruits then you know you want to sink your teeth into them when they are perfectly ripe — not too firm, but not too soft. Still, as the Pioneer Woman, aka Ree Drummond, points out, there is a fine line between perfectly ripe and mushy. That's why you need to know the best way to store your stone fruits and it may surprise you to learn it isn't in the refrigerator.

According to Bon Appétit, storing your stone fruits in the refrigerator is a bad idea. Why? Because as the magazine explains, the environment in your fridge can change the texture of your stone fruits, making them a little dry and flavorless, instead of juicy and delicious. Instead, the outlet recommends storing your nectarines, plums, and other drupes on the counter. In fact, Martha Stewart notes that when you store your stone fruits in this manner, they will ripen to perfection, and then you can store them in the fridge to enjoy a little longer.

Per AGDAILY, each stone fruit has its own shelf life, which sadly, is not very long. That said, the one stone fruit they suggest does better in the fridge than on the counter is the cherry. Cherries should also be washed as you plan on eating them because the moisture can ruin them. But what happens if you find your drupes are on the verge of spoiling? The outlet suggests making a jam, jelly, or some other preserves with it.