Why You Should Never Store Grapefruit In A Plastic Bag
People seem to either love grapefruit or hate it. Contrary to its name, it tastes nothing like grapes. Some varieties of the softball-sized citrus fruit can be exceptionally sour and bitter (hence the fad behind sprinkling sugar on top of it). So, what then is to love? Not all grapefruits are created equal, for one. Ruby Reds, Star Ruby's, and Sweeties tend to be sweeter and less bitter than some of their lighter-fleshed cousins, per blog Fruitstand. They are exceptionally healthy as well. Of course, they also happen to be a key ingredient in such classic cocktails as the Paloma, the Greyhound, and the Sea Breeze.
When it comes to using grapefruit juice in recipes (cocktails or foods), fresh juice is always the best. While it's tempting and convenient to reach for cartons of pre-squeezed juice that will last in the fridge for a long time, the best and freshest flavor is always going to come from the unprocessed juice of the grapefruit itself. So, on your trip to the market, make a beeline to the produce section. Grapefruits have a natural protective barrier in the form of their peels to protect against factors that would cause other fruits to rot quickly, so storage is fairly simple once you get them home, per Foodal. Still, you'll want to avoid one popular option of fruit storage to keep your grapefruits at their peak for the maximum amount of time.
The bag will speed up the ripening process
A bowl of citrus fruit on your counter or table looks smashing, particularly if it includes a vast color scheme (think lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits together). Leaving citrus out at room temperature is fine if you're planning on using it within a few days, and only if you keep the fruit whole, via Foodal. According to the Seattle Times, the best storage method for citrus fruit is to put it in the refrigerator. While it's easy to toss your produce bag full of grapefruit in the crisper drawer, the publication warns this is not the best thing to do and Foodal agrees.
Storing the fruit in a plastic bag or even a covered plastic or glass container will speed up the ripening process causing mold to happen quicker, explains the Seattle Times. Uncut grapefruits need a bit of air circulation, so refrigerating them uncovered works well. Mesh bags are also a good option and Foodal suggests the fruit will last a couple of weeks when stored in the fridge — as long as they are in the fruit and veggie drawer as opposed to on a shelf.
The exception to the plastic bag taboo is when you have cut into the grapefruit. Per Foodal, once the outer barrier (peel) of grapefruits has been cut, the whole fruit becomes super perishable. Go ahead and store the remainder in a plastic bag or airtight container and use within a week.