Under most circumstances, the best place to store clementines is in the cooler drawer of your refrigerator. But sometimes you'll want to store fruit at room temperature or in the freezer, and here are some specific steps you can follow to do just that.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Method One: Room Temperature
Step 1. Place the clementines in an open container
Baskets or wire containers are best for use, but you can use other open containers as well. You can also use a wooden crate with open slits along the sides.
Do not put fruit in closed containers. Cutting off air circulation can speed up the rotting process, which causes oranges to become moldy and rot more quickly. Storing fruit in an air-conditioned container will reduce this effect
Step 2. Keep the fruit out of direct sunlight
Place the clementines on a counter or table that is not exposed to direct sunlight. Oranges are better stored in a place with cooler temperatures and lower humidity.
Sunlight, warmth, and humidity are all factors that help clementine oranges ripen. However, this condition can also cause the fruit to overripe more quickly
Step 3. Store for two to seven days
When stored at room temperature, most clementines can last up to two or three days. If the fruit is in the best conditions and room conditions are ideal, you can even store oranges for up to a whole week.
Method 2 of 3: Method Two: Refrigerator
Step 1. Arrange the clementines in the mesh bag
If possible, place all the oranges in a plastic mesh bag. Wrap the opening in the top of the bag to prevent the fruit from spilling out.
- While many customs suggest storing clementines in a plastic bag or airtight container, doing so can actually cause the fruit to mold and shrivel more quickly. The mesh bag allows air to circulate throughout the fruit, thereby reducing the threat of mold.
- In fact, you don't need to store fruit in a mesh bag as long as you keep it in the right place in the refrigerator. The bags only keep the fruit neat and prevent damage to the fruit, but you don't have to worry if you don't have a mesh bag.
Step 2. Place the fruit in the cooler drawer in the refrigerator
It doesn't matter whether you put the clementines in your bag or not, most importantly you should put the oranges in the cooler drawer, also known as the "fruit drawer" or "vegetable drawer," in your refrigerator.
The humidity level in the cold drawer in the refrigerator is different from the rest of the refrigerator. You may not be able to adjust the humidity, but if there is a setting in the drawer, set it to a “low” setting to help prevent moldy fruit
Step 3. Sort the clementines periodically
Check oranges every day or two and remove any oranges that look like they are going to rot faster.
- If the fruit starts to go limp, you should use it the same day. Fruit that is too soft or starts to rot should be discarded.
- You should separate fruit that is starting to become overripe from fruit that is still fresh. Overripe fruit releases gas that speeds up the ripening process of other fruit nearby, so your leftover clementines will rot faster if you keep mixing one rotten fruit with the others.
Step 4. Store for one to two weeks
When stored using this method, most oranges can last up to a full week or two. You can even get a few more days if the site and fruit conditions are ideal, but this rarely happens, so you should be extra careful when eating clementines that are stored longer than two weeks.
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Freezer
Step 1. Peel and separate the clementine oranges
Remove the rind from each orange and separate the orange segments. Peel off the white coating on the orange segments and remove the orange seeds when you see them.
- Before peeling clementines, consider washing them under running water and patting them dry with a clean paper towel. Although the skin won't freeze along with the pulp, dirt on the skin can stick to your hands when you peel an orange. Then your hands will touch the orange flesh and cause the orange to get dirty.
- Keep in mind that this is the only way to store clementines in the freezer. You can't freeze whole oranges without ruining their texture and taste.
Step 2. Arrange the oranges in a freezer-safe container
Place the clementines in an airtight plastic container that is safe to store in the freezer or a resealable plastic bag. Do not fill the container more than three-quarters full.
Step 3. Make a simple syrup on the stove
Combine 2-3/4 cup (685 ml) of sugar with 4 cups (1 lt) of water in a large saucepan. Heat this mixture over the stove over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Let the syrup boil before removing it from the stove.
After making the syrup, let it sit at room temperature until it cools down. Do not proceed to the next step until the syrup temperature has dropped to slightly warmer than room temperature. Ideally, the temperature of the syrup should drop completely to room temperature
Step 4. Pour the syrup over the clementines
Pour the cooled syrup over the orange segments in the bowl. Add enough syrup to cover each internode completely, leaving at least 2 inches (5 cm) of free space at the top of each container.
- You will need to leave a little free space at the top of the container because the contents of the container can expand when frozen. If the container is too full, frozen fruit and sugar syrup may escape from the container, which can damage the container and make your freezer a mess.
- Close the container or bag tightly, removing as much air as possible.
Step 5. Freeze for 10 to 12 months
Place the container with the clementines in the back in the freezer. You can store it safely for up to about a year.
- To thaw, place the container of frozen clementines in the refrigerator and let the temperature drop gradually over a few hours.
- If stored at -18ºC, clementine oranges are safe to eat indefinitely. However, oranges may lose some of their nutrients after 12 months, and their texture and taste may begin to diminish as well.
