What is the best way to store apples for the winter?

Question

I'm picking loads of apples at the moment, and would like to be able to store some to eat over the coming months. I have a small shed outside, but don't know if they would get damp in there. Any ideas?

Answer 1

wrap them individually in a piece of newspaper

Answer 2

put them in the fridge  

Answer 3

Wrap them individually in newspaper and ensure that they are not touching the apple next to them.  Store them in your shed, they should be fine.

Answer 4

Not all apples are "keepers" - some are best eaten fresh from the tree. So you'll need to keep an eye on your apple supply if you haven't stored them before.

The skin of "keepers" may shrivel slightly but the flesh will stay sweet and juicy. A non-keeping variety will end up with spongy, rather bland flesh. If your apples start to go that way, you can preserve them by slicing them and oven-drying them.

As for storage: they need to be kept cool and dry. The classic way to store winter apples is under the bed in an unheated bedroom, in big shallow boxes. Each apple should be wrapped individually in paper and spread out so air can flow around them all. These days I use big green collapsible crates that my greengrocer gave me; they're wonderful as they let air flow all round.

The damp in your shed isn't going to be a problem so long as you raise the boxes off the ground. If the roof isn't watertight, you'll need to put a cover over the top box (put battens across the box under the board so air can still get beneath it.)

I think the only problem may be mice or other pests that could find your winter store and spend the season in your shed, gnawing their way through your harvest. It's hard to mouse-proof something without making it air-tight...    

Answer 5

Why store them ?

They are available all year long .