Can you store clementines in the fridge? (3 useful tips)

In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “Can you store clementine in the fridge?” We will also discuss what is the shelf life of clementines, how to store them, and how to tell if clementines have gone bad. 

Can you store clementines in the fridge?

Yes, you can store clementine in the refrigerator, since clementine is a perishable fruit and it needs refrigeration. The maximum storage life of clementines is one week at room temperature, when stored for more than one week they lose their flavor. Refrigerating clementines is one of the best options to extend their shelf life (1,2).

What is the shelf life of clementines?

When stored at room temperature, the maximum storage life of clementines is 1 week, after this period clementines lose their flavor (2).

Clementines stored in the refrigerator can last for up to 2–4 weeks under ideal conditions. But when it comes to frozen clementines, they can last for 4–6 months under constant low temperatures (2).

Place them in the refrigerator’s produce drawer in a mesh bag or a well-ventilated container.

What affects the shelf life of clementines?

Clementines have their shelf life impacted by several factors. Clementines that are immature can have a lower shelf life due to their greater respiration rate and susceptibility to spoiling (3).

Exposure to ethylene gas can also shorten the shelf life o clementines, accelerating the ripening process (4).

Improper handling and physical damage can allow microorganisms to enter and compromise the fruits, leading to spoilage (5,6).

Storage conditions it’s something that you have to pay attention to when storing clementines. Low humidity can cause clementines to dry, and temperatures above 4 °C can faster moisture loss and deterioration (6).

What are the proper ways to store clementine?

• The best way to store your fresh clementines is to store them in the refrigerator. Put them in any plastic bag that is not tightly sealed and store them in the refrigerator drawer. They will stay fresh and juicy for up to 2 weeks (1,2).

• Do not eat them without washing them thoroughly even if you are removing their rind because their rind can transfer the bacteria to the rest of the edible portion if they are not washed properly under running water (7)

• Clementines can stay up to three weeks in the refrigerator after being kept on the counter for up to ten days (2,8).

• You can also freeze clementines and extend their shelf life. Before doing this, wash, peel and separate the segments, putting them in a plastic container and storing them at -18 °C (9).  

• Keep in mind that storing clementines at low temperatures can cause chilling injury, especially if they are kept for longer periods (8,9)

How to tell if clementines have gone bad?

You can tell if clementines have gone bad by checking their appearance, smell, texture, and taste (3,10,11,12).

• If you see visible decay, wrinkling and shrivelling appearance, or mold growth, you should discard your clementines since these are signs of spoilage. Green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum is the major postharvest disease of citrus fruit.

• A sour or off-putting odor is another sign that clementines have gone bad, and can indicate microbial activity and deterioration. Fresh clementines have a citrus-characteristic odor.

• Changes in texture, like extreme softness or hardness, may indicate that clementines are no longer fresh, as well as signs of fermentation, oozing liquid or bubbling shows microbial activity.

• Additionally, if your clementines taste excessively bitter, sour, or bland, it means they have passed their prime. 

Conclusion 

In this brief guide, we answered the question, “Can you store clementine in the fridge?” We also discussed what is the shelf life of clementines, how to store them, and how to tell if clementines have gone bad.

References 

References