The Trick For Packing Fresh Fruits In A Cooler And Saving Space

Sometimes packing a cooler can be like packing for a trip: There is so much you want to bring, but only so much space in which to fit it. Fruit is juicy, refreshing, and the perfect go-to for any outdoor outing. However, depending on your fruit of choice, it can be bulky and take up a lot of room. Luckily, there is a way to have your watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, oranges, and berries without invading the entirety of your cooler's limited space, so you can still fit all the snacks and beverages your heart desires. 

To avoid overcrowding your cooler, simply chop up your fruit into bite-size pieces and thread them onto a skewer to avoid creating a juicy mess. Skewers also make for easy access, but if you prefer to skip those pointed wooden sticks, you can simply cut up the fruit and place it in plastic containers or Ziplock bags.

You may want to consider freezing your fruits so they are nice and chilly before you make your way to your intended destination. Grapes, pineapples, bananas, and strawberries taste delicious when frozen and won't turn into a mushy mess as they thaw. Not to mention, it only takes about four hours in the freezer to have your chunks of fruit become frozen solid.

Additionally, to keep your fruit and drinks truly cool, you want to chill your cooler the night before you use it. This means filling it with bags of ice to get its temperature down. However, you are not going to want to use any of that ice that hasn't melted. Instead, consider making your own blocks of ice using Tupperware. 

And when it comes to packing, remember that fruit tends to be delicate and easily smashed. Make certain to pack it on top of heavier items like drinks and containers of salads, meats, and cheeses, or anything that can be weighty.