Apples will stay fresh during the winter months if wrapped in 1 common item

Maintaining a healthy diet requires consuming ample amounts of fruit and vegetables, with apples being a particular British staple, but there's an uncomplicated method to significantly prolong their freshness. Although they're both delicious and wholesome, apples can deteriorate fairly rapidly without appropriate storage, yet a basic approach could preserve them for several months, reports the Mirror.

Horticultural expert Michael Griffiths has previously shared an easy food preservation hack to assist people in maximising their apple supply. The method proves especially valuable throughout the winter season, as he insists this strategy could genuinely maintain the fruit's freshness well into the spring months. He shared a simple video on TikTok demonstrating the necessary steps.

There are supplementary recommendations you can implement to guarantee the fruit stays in optimal condition.

Michael said: "Here's how you store apples. If you're lucky enough to have a good crop of late apples, which are picked from November onwards, you can store these over winter, and here's how.

"There are two methods to doing this, and both will allow you to store your apples until spring. We want to slow the apple from drying out, so we want somewhere that's cold but not frosty, somewhere that's dark and reasonably moist, so a shed, a cellar or a cold garage like this will be perfect."

He added: "Before you store the apples, make sure they're not blemished, and there's no insect damage. Method one is to wrap them in newspaper.

"The benefit of this is that the apples can be touching each other because they're covered in newspaper; however, they're not going to get any airflow around them when it's hard to check the apples periodically. To do this, wrap them in one sheet and gently place on a tray or a rack.

"For method two, you need to have access to a rack of some kind. This method allows air to move around the apple, and keep it fresh.

"The benefit of this method is that you can easily see the apples. The downside is that you need more space. The critical thing with this method is that the apples must not touch."

The video garnered hundreds of views following its upload, with numerous viewers expressing gratitude to Michael for his ingenious suggestion. As apple season draws to a close, it's handy knowledge to have.

You may be unaware, but wrapping apples separately in newspaper can substantially prolong their shelf life. The method functions by stopping the fruit from coming into contact with each other.

The trick proves most successful when apples are stored in a cool, dry spot away from other produce. Be sure to check them frequently for any signs of spoilage.

Keep only apples that are unblemished, without cuts or insect damage. The stalk needs to stay intact, and ensure they're thoroughly dry before storing them.

Apples release a compound called ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. Wrapping each apple individually can help contain this gas, stopping it from influencing the other apples.

With the right storage methods, apples can stay fresh for several months. For more comprehensive guidance, seek advice from a food specialist.