Can Every Food Be Stored in Cold Storage?
Since the contents of food items are different from each other, it would not be correct to say that every food item is suitable for storage in cold storage. In other words, cold storage must be adjusted according to the food item to be preserved. We will tell you about the storage conditions of some fruit types in our country.
Apple in Cold Storage
Apple is among the most stored fruits in cold storage. For apples to remain at low temperatures for a long time, they need to be cooled quickly after harvest. However, due to varieties sensitive to sudden temperature changes, they should be brought to the storage temperature gradually. The optimum temperature for apples should be between 2°C and 4°C. The appropriate relative humidity is between 85-90%. Under these conditions, the average storage period is 3-6 months.
Grape in Cold Storage
Grape is the second most stored fruit after apple. Harvested grapes should be subjected to pre-cooling within a short time to be preserved. The storage temperature of -1°C-0°C is the most suitable temperature. The relative humidity rate should also be 90-95%. The reason for the high humidity rate is high water loss. When these conditions are met, the storage period of grapes is 3-6 months.
Pear in Cold Storage
The most important feature to know about pears is that the storage life is shortened when the ripening period on the tree is kept too long. Therefore, its harvest should not be delayed. Pre-cooling should be done for pears to be stored efficiently.The appropriate temperature should be between -1°C and -2°C and it should be stored at 90-93% humidity. When these conditions are met, it can be preserved for 1-6 months.
Orange in Cold Storage
Considering the orange variety, 4°C - 10°C temperature and 75-90% humidity are the conditions required for storage. It can be preserved for 1-4 months.
Peach in Cold Storage
Woolliness is seen in peaches picked prematurely. Peaches that have not colored well color at 21-24 °C for 1.5 days in cold storage. Afterwards, they can be stored at 90% humidity between -0.5°C and 0.5°C for 2-4 weeks.
Lemon in Cold Storage
A feature that needs to be known in lemons is that the storage period is extended if harvested during tree maturity. Green lemons can be preserved for 1-5 months in environments containing 10°C to 14°C temperature and 85-90% humidity, and yellow ones for 2-4 weeks at 0 to 5°C.
Strawberry in Cold Storage
Due to the structure of strawberries, their preservation and transportation are quite limited. However, when suitable conditions are provided, they can be stored at 0°C for 7 days. At the same time, the optimal preservation degree for strawberries is between 0°C and 2°C.
Apricot in Cold Storage
Apricots should be picked while they are sufficiently firm for cold preservation. Since apricots reach the freezing point at -2°C, they can be stored for 2-8 weeks in a 75-85% humidity environment between 0°C – 4°C.
Melon-Watermelon in Cold Storage
Watermelon is stored at 4°C when suitable conditions are provided. Since melon is more sensitive to low temperatures, it can be stored at 5–10°C.
Banana in Cold Storage
For ripened bananas, the most suitable storage temperature should be 13 – 16°C and the relative humidity should be 85-90%. For green ones, the temperature should be 11 – 14°C and the relative humidity should be 90-95%.
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