It is incredible how, in the era of technology and intelligent refrigerators, some of the most effective techniques for preserving fresh food arrive directly from the past. A recent video that has become viral has rekindled the interest in a method of preservation of the apples used since ancient times, which promises to keep these precious fresh and crunchy fruits for even 5 months!
Who among us has not purchased apples with the best intentions, just to find them amazed or, worse still, marches in the refrigerator drawer? The solution could be simpler than we think, and above all completely natural and eco -sustainable.
A forgotten technique that returns to the limelight
The video that is going around the web comes from the “The Acadian Garden and Apothecary” channel, where the presenter Danae, an expert cultivator of Maine, takes us back in time to rediscover how our ancestors kept the autumn harvest well beyond the collection season.
In the movie, Danae explains how the apples have been a pillar of American nutrition for centuries, so much so that each family worried about taking care of its orchards with extreme dedication. And not just to consume fresh fruits! The apples were the base for the cider, a daily drink on the tables of all, young and old.
“It is incredible to think that some families could keep fresh apples for even two years,” says Danae, citing the book “A reverence for Wood” by Eric Sloane, a real treasure of traditional knowledge.
How does this method work?
The secret is as simple as it is brilliant: just wrap each apple individually in a sheet of newspaper and put them in a wicker basket, to be kept in a cool and dry place of the house.
The newspaper acts as a natural barrier, limiting the dispersion of the – the hormone responsible for the ripening of the fruit – and at the same time allowing a slight perspiration that prevents the formation of mold.
Why does it work better than the refrigerator?
Contrary to what we could think, the refrigerator is not always the ideal environment for all types of fruit. According to the Department of Agriculture of the United States, the apples kept at room temperature last about five days, while in the refrigerator they reach five weeks. But with this traditional method? Up to five months!
The controlled humidity and the correct circulation of the air that is created with the newspaper method allow the apples to “go into hibernation”, drastically slowing down the deterioration process without altering their organoleptic characteristics.
Advice for perfect conservation
To obtain optimal results, Danae suggests some fundamental precautions:
As an alternative to the newspaper, it is possible to use sawdust, cereals or dry sand to heat, all materials that create an ideal micro -food for conservation.
In an era in which we fight against food waste and seek more sustainable methods to preserve food, this ancient technique represents not only an intelligent way to enjoy seasonal fruits longer, but also a small concrete gesture to reduce our ecological footprint.
Try to believe: the next time you return from the orchard with a crispy apple basket, dedicated a few minutes to wrap them in the newspaper. Your pantry will thank you, and also the planet.
