Unacceptable fruit softening is a key indication that the damage is worse than predicted. Fruit that were fatally frozen will exhibit flesh browning after thawing once the temperature has risen far enough for oxidation to take place. After the apples have warmed enough to exhibit flesh browning, cut fruit open and inspect them. If browning appears, the fruit is obviously unfit for use.
It is also possible for fruit that does not have obvious browning to have serious freeze damage. This fruit will rapidly soften in storage. It is good only for making juice and only if processed right away. Generally speaking in the apple business, your first loss is your best loss: If fruit have been in a freeze event that was too close for comfort, you should consider selling such fruit for juice and tell your customer about the potential condition of the fruit. If you determine that the fruit are going to be held and sold as fresh, such freeze-event apples should be stored separately and be pressure tested over several days or weeks to assure if truly sound.
Don't be in a hurry to harvest or transport this fruit. Leave the fruit undisturbed until it completely thaws. After the fruit thaws, be honest with yourself about the actual condition and potential value of this fruit.
Cut lots of fruit, and if you do decide to keep it, monitor its firmness in storage. Let's Stay Connected. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension.
Freezing apples that are not in season can preserve the taste and flavor for a longer time. There are also varieties of apples that will freeze well. These include the following:. Aside from the variety of apples you wish to freeze, how you store the apples is also important. You can try "tray freezing" sliced apples if you won't likely use your apples in the next few weeks. For cooked apples, like applesauce and apple filling, you can store these in freezer bags.
Before freezing, allow the cooked apples to cool down, especially if using glass containers. You can also freeze apples in freezer bags which won't take much freezer space. Apple fillings or sauces can also last up to a year.
Freezing whole apples is tricky. Most slice their apples instead of freezing the whole. Whole apples after thawing might be difficult to slice and will also change the texture. Nonetheless, you can still freeze whole apples by doing the following steps:. If using frozen apples for your recipes, let them thaw in the refrigerator for at least eight hours or overnight.
With slow thawing, this retains the texture of the apples. Slow thawing also minimizes any excess moisture that makes apples have a mushy texture. The apples may get bruised if you quickly thaw them after freezing. Moreover, if using frozen apples for apple sauce, butter or jelly, place the apples in lukewarm until completely thawed.
The best way to thaw apples is by letting them defrost in the refrigerator. Even though this process needs more time, this helps the apples maintain their shape and texture. For frozen whole apples, this will take more time to thaw than sliced apples. These are the easy steps you can do to thaw apples:. After all, frozen apples are delicious to eat. Because of the versatility of apples, there are so many recipes you can make for any occasion.
If you love to make recipes using your favorite apples, freezing is a practical way to stock up on seasonal varieties. Remember that properly freezing apple maintains the freshness and taste, even if kept in the freezer for a year. Start freezing apples now, and you will definitely enjoy making delicious treats all year round!
Add Comment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Post Comment. We recommend you peel, core, and slice your apples before freezing them, so you get a nice even texture and freeze. Apples are a fairly dense fruit and when they freeze it takes a long time, if the fruit is whole. Granted all apples will go through this when thawing but you should really cut them into smaller, manageable pieces and only thaw as much as you need.
Frozen apples can keep up to 90 days, though you can push that limit if you want. The longer you keep them them more flavor you lose, and freezer burn may set in. This changes both the flavor and the texture so you may want to eat all the apples before those 3 months are up.
Freezers are great for storage but they do take a toll on our foods. All frozen foods lose texture, especially fruits and vegetables which are full of water.
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