It’s a classic tale. You chop, dice, slice or shave a raw apple or pear for your child or to use in a recipe only to have it turn brown and unappealing minutes later. Why does this happen? And more importantly, how can you prevent it?
Browning is the result of freshly cut apple or pear flesh coming into contact with oxygen, a natural process called oxidization or enzymatic browning. Speed of browning can vary depending on the variety of apple or pear, and can also be impacted by the age of the fruit.
Fruit that has browned is perfectly safe to eat but it doesn’t look pleasing (just ask kids what they think of brown apple slices in their lunch boxes!). The good news is that preventing browning in apples and pears is easy peasy. Here’s our super simple kitchen hack that will help you enjoy beautiful pears and apples.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup of water
Mix the lemon juice and the water and submerge your sliced fruit in the liquid. Let soak for a few minutes and you’re good to go.
Double or triple the recipe if you’re cutting a lot of pears or apples, just keep the same lemon to water ratio.
Look at the difference below. On the left: apples that were sliced and left to oxidize. On the right: lovely bright-fleshed slices.
There you go, lunchbox-worthy apple slices every time!
I love people shares their experience with others and inspires to eat and drink healthy. It feels really great.
Thank you for sharing this post. This is lovely.
Thank you for your comment, William! We’re so glad this post resonated with you and we value your positive feedback.
Well this info is as great as the invention of the automobile?! It makes all the difference in party trays, salads, lunch snacks etc. Thank you , thank you, thank you??
Does the fruit take on a lemony taste? do you rinse the fruit after submersion?
If you don’t like Lemon juice or happen to have anyone in your circle who is Allergic to Cirtrus Fruits, like I do, you may also use a tsp of Citric Acid, derived from Sugar Cane Obviously, or more for large amounts of cut Fruit. Like party trays, etc.