How to Store Citrus Fruit at Home — A Valencia Farmer's Guide
Supermarket oranges last weeks in the fridge. Convenient? Sure. It's also the result of fungicides, wax coatings, and weeks of cold storage. Ours don't have any of that. They're picked the day you order. No post-harvest treatment, no wax, no industrial refrigeration. Which means you need to store them properly. Here's how.
How to store citrus fruit at home
1. The fridge works — with a few caveats
Freshly picked citrus keeps perfectly well for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. The crisper drawer at 4-8 °C is ideal. Outside the fridge, in a cool and ventilated spot, expect about a week. Keep them away from radiators, sunny windows, and any heat source.
2. Don't stack them
Lay your oranges in a single layer in a bowl or basket. Stacked fruit traps moisture between pieces — and moisture leads to mould. In the fridge, skip the sealed plastic bags. The fruit needs air circulation.
3. Dry them before storing
If you notice condensation on the skin from shipping, pat them dry with a clean cloth. No need to wash before storing — our citrus has no wax coating and no post-harvest chemical treatment. You can grate the zest straight into your recipes without any concern.
4. Keep them away from other fruit
Citrus emits ethylene, a gas that speeds up the ripening of other fruits and vegetables. Bananas, apples, and avocados nearby will ripen faster than you want. Keep them separate, especially from climacteric fruits.
5. Check every few days
Fruit without chemical treatments behaves like fruit: if one piece goes bad, it can affect its neighbours. A quick check every 3-4 days is enough.
6. Too many? Freeze them
Peel your oranges or mandarins, separate the segments, and freeze them in airtight bags. They work perfectly for smoothies, juices, or citrus recipes. Fresh-squeezed juice also freezes well in ice cube trays — ready for months.
Why does our fruit last less than supermarket fruit?
Because it's real. Supermarket oranges are picked unripe, stored at 3 °C for weeks, treated with imazalil or thiabendazole to prevent mould, then waxed to shine under fluorescent lights. They last a long time. They also taste like a wet tennis ball.
Ours are picked when you order. Harvested to order, delivered directly with no middlemen, from Valencia to your door. They keep for less time in the fridge — but they taste like an actual orange.
Frequently asked questions
How long do CitrusRicus oranges last at home?
In the fridge (4-8 °C), between 2 and 3 weeks. Outside the fridge, in a cool ventilated spot, about a week. Without post-harvest treatments, they don't last as long as industrial fruit — but the flavour is in a different league.
Can I use the zest for cooking?
Absolutely. Our citrus has no wax and no chemical preservatives. You can grate the zest directly into recipes, infusions, or cocktails.
Should I store oranges in the fridge or outside?
If you'll eat them within 4-5 days, a cool spot outside the fridge is fine. For longer storage, the crisper drawer (4-8 °C) is your best bet.
Can you freeze oranges and mandarins?
Yes. Peeled and separated into segments, they freeze well in airtight bags for up to 6 months. Fresh juice also freezes nicely in ice cube trays.
