Clementine oranges are delicious and nutritious. They contain vitamin C, fiber, potassium, folate, and other nutrients. Clementines are also packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals and boost immunity.
But how long does a clementine last before turning brown or rotting? How long should they be stored at room temperature? And how much can you tell if clementines have gone bad?
In this article, we’ll look at what you need to know about storing clementines.
How long do clementines last?
The answer to these questions depends on several factors:
- Whether it’s fresh or not
- When it was picked
- What else it has been exposed to
- How it was handled during shipping and storage
Fresh clementines (whole)
A clementine is considered fresh if it looks bright orange and smells like an orange. It should be firm and heavy for its size. The skin should be smooth and shiny. Clementines that are too old tend to get wrinkly and dull looking.
What is the shelf life of clementines?
- Room temperature: 1 week
- Refrigerator: 1 to 2 weeks
- Freezer: 10 to 12 months (best quality)
At room temperature, clementines are best eaten within 7 days. Refrigerating them extends their shelf life by another week. Freezing them keeps them safe for up to 12 months.
Keep in mind that their shelf life depends to a large extent on the storage conditions. Store clementines in a cool, dry place. If you plan on using them later, keep them refrigerated or frozen.
How long do clementines keep at room temperature?
Clementines usually keep for 1 week at room temperature. Longer storage at room temperature can cause clementines to wilt and lose flavor.
To extend the shelf life of clementines, store them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag.
How long do you store clementines in the refrigerator?
Clementines are best stored in the refrigerator. But don’t leave them there for more than two weeks. After that, they start losing some of their sweetness.
If stored in good conditions, clementines will generally keep for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
How long do clementines keep in the freezer?
Clementine oranges keep their best quality for up to 12 months when kept in the freezer, but they can be consumed after this time if stored properly.
Can you freeze clementines?
Yes, you can freeze them whole or cut them into slices. Store clementines in the freezer in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
How do you tell if a clementine is good?
Look for a bright orange color and a pleasant scent. Clementines that are overripe or damaged will have a greenish tinge and a less-pleasant odor.
Fresh clementines (peeled)
When peeled, clementines will have a shorter shelf life than when whole. If you want to store them for a while, you can keep them refrigerated. You can also wrap them in plastic bags and freeze them.
What is the shelf life of peeled clementines?
- Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
The shelf life of clementine peeled depends on how they are stored. They will last longer if you store them in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. If you keep them in your refrigerator, they should be eaten within three to four days.
Make sure to store them in a plastic bag or airtight container before putting them in your refrigerator. You can also freeze them for up to 4 months and thaw them before eating.
How do you know if peeled clementines have gone bad?
Peeled clementines will get moldy and start to ooze juice if they’re past their prime. This isn’t usually a problem unless you plan on using them away. In which case, you might want to consider buying fresh ones.
Dried clementines
Clementines can be dried as well. This process removes moisture from the fruit, which makes it less likely to rot. But it doesn’t remove all of the natural sugars. So dried clementines don’t taste quite as sweet as fresh ones. They can be dried using an oven, dehydrator, or even sundried.
They can be dried whole or cut up. Whole fruits take longer to dry than cut-up pieces.
What is the shelf life of dried clementines?
- Shelf life: indefinite( if stored properly)
Dried clementines can keep indefinitely if stored properly. Their shelf life depends on how they are stored.
Store them in a cool, dark place with good air circulation, such as a pantry or closet. Make sure not to put them near moisture and heat sources like radiators or stoves.
Can you freeze dried clementines?
You can freeze dried clementines just like any other dried fruit. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container or moisture-proof freezing bag.
Frozen Clementines
Freezing preserves food by stopping the growth of bacteria and extending the shelf life. Frozen clementines are safe to use once thawed.
You can freeze clementines whole or cut them. To thaw frozen clementines, place them in a bowl of warm water or a microwave for a few seconds.
How long do clementines stay good in the freezer?
If you store clementine in the freezer, they’ll stay good for up to 12 months. However, they can still be used after this time. Once thawed, clementines will stay good for about 2 weeks.
Canned/ pickled/ preserved clementines
These are made by adding sugar, spices, and sometimes vinegar to canned clementines. These types of clementines usually have longer shelf life than fresh clementines. They can be eaten right away as snacks or used in recipes.
How long do canned clementines last?
Canned clementines will keep for at least 10 to 12 months. Make sure to keep them in a cool, dry place.
How do you know if clementines are expired?
There are two ways that citrus fruit can go bad: 1) the peel gets soft and wrinkly, or 2) the fruit itself goes bad. The first is easy to spot, but not always obvious when the second happens. So let’s take a look at both.
Peel wilting
This one is pretty simple. Peel a clementine and see what happens. If the peel starts to get soft and wrinkly, then it has probably started going bad. This is especially true if the peel also looks like it’s starting to turn brown.
Peel turning brown
Browning is another sign of spoilage. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the fruit is spoiled, though. Sometimes fruits just naturally turn brown as they age. That’s why we recommend storing them in the fridge instead of leaving them on the countertop.
If they are moldy
Mold is another sign of spoliation. When this happens, the fruit is rotten and therefore no longer safe to eat.
Mushy and oozing
When clementines become mushy and oozing, they’ve already been ruined. There’s nothing you can do about it except throw out the rest of the fruit.
Unpleasant smell
A sour smell is another indicator that something is wrong with the fruit. This could be due to overripe fruit or rotting fruit. Either way, it’s time to toss it out.
The best way is to smell and examine the clementines. Discard them if mold appears or if the clementines smell or look abnormal.
So now that you know how to tell if your clementines are rotten, you might wonder what to do next. Well, here’s my advice: eat them! Don’t throw out perfectly good clementines because they’re past their prime.
Storage Tips
To extend the shelf life of your clementines, try these storage tips:
- Store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
- Wash them thoroughly and pat dry them before eating.
- Eat them within 3 days of purchase or store them in a freezer for later use.
- Keep them in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator.
- Store dried clementines in a sealed jar in a cool, dry place.
Now that you know the shelf life of clementines and how to identify rotten ones, you should be able to avoid throwing out perfectly good food. Just make sure to check them regularly so you don’t end up wasting money on rotten fruit.
