Mandarins, as we know, are not only tasty, but also healthy. Gray winter days become much brighter with them and, let's face it, more pleasant.
However, the questions of how to properly store these citrus fruits and whether they can be frozen to keep them fresh longer still remain open.
Let's figure it out.
Why you can't freeze tangerines
Freezing tangerines is not recommended for several reasons.
When these fruits are put into the freezer and then thawed, their pulp loses its original texture - there are not many fans of the "mush" that tangerines turn into after freezing.
Moreover, such manipulations negatively affect the taste of these fruits.
When can you freeze tangerines?
However, there is one exception to this rule.
You can freeze peeled tangerine slices to later add to cocktails, smoothies and other drinks as an ice substitute.
How to store tangerines correctly
If you want to enjoy fresh ones as long as possible, keep them at a temperature of 2 to 6 degrees - this is what is maintained in the special fruit compartment in the refrigerator.
Here the fruits will easily last for up to two weeks.
You can also leave tangerines at room temperature, although in this case their shelf life is reduced to 10 days.
Just remember that tangerines left near heaters or in direct sunlight will dry out quickly.
When storing tangerines, there are other important nuances to consider. First, take them out of the packaging; second, do not store tangerines next to apples, bananas, and avocados; and third, inspect your tangerines daily and remove any spoiled fruit to keep the rest of the fruit in good condition.
You should not wash tangerines before storing; it is better to rinse them immediately before eating.
