How Long Do Clementines Last?

Clementine oranges are delicious, but how long do they last?

If you love clementines or are curious about learning more of this fruit, continue reading our article. We discuss what clementines are, how long clementines last, and how to store the fruit, to increase the longevity of this delicious citrus fruit.

What Are Clementines?

Clementine oranges are a hybrid between a mandarin orange and a tangerine.

Clementines are sweet and juicy with a tart flavor. There is also a small amount of sourness to clementines from the acidity of the fruit. The fruit has bright orange skin and white flesh on the inside.

This is why clementines are also known as “mandarin oranges” or “clementine oranges.” Clementines have been around since the early 1900s, when they were first introduced to Europe by Spain.

Today, there are many varieties of clementines available in stores. They can be found in stores year-round, making the fruit very accessible. Clementines are usually sold as whole fruit, but you can also buy them as segments or halves.

Each segment contains about 100 calories. Clementine oranges are often eaten fresh or added to salads and are an excellent source of vitamin C.

How Long Do Clementines Last At Room Temperature?

Clementines can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. When storing clementines, make sure that they are not exposed to sunlight. Clementines contain a lot of vitamin A, which can fade if exposed to light.

While clementines do not last very long when stored at room temperature, some prefer to stick with this method. That is because the clementines will remain fresh, and will be consumed before they start to rot.

This is only ideal if you know you will eat your clementines within a week. Other people prefer methods that preserve the longevity of the fruit, which means they have more time to eat and enjoy the clementines.

Below, we will look at some other ways of storing clementines, to keep them fresher for longer!

How Long Do Clementines Last in the Fridge?

If you want to extend the shelf life of clementines, you should refrigerate them after you purchase them, or within a few days after purchase. This will help preserve the fruit’s nutrients and prevent bacteria growth.

You can keep your clementines in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. After that time, they may start losing some of their colors and become less flavorful.

If you plan on eating the clementines within a few days, then it’s best to leave them out at room temperature. However, if you plan on keeping them for several weeks, then you should put them back into the fridge.

How Long Do Clementines Last In The Freezer?

They last longer than most fruits, but they don’t keep well in the freezer unless they are peeled and sealed beforehand. This means you should never put a whole clementine in the freezer without separating the fruit first.

In order to keep the texture of the fruit, you will need to place segments of a clementine into a ziplock bag, or into a container. That way, the clementine will stay intact, and will not lose its form. You can then store them in the freezer for up to three months.

Clementines should only be kept in a freezer if you want to preserve their freshness. The reason that freezing preserves clementine’s freshness is that it keeps the fruit cold and intact.

However, if you store clementines improperly or incorrectly, they will lose their freshness and integrity quickly — so it is vital that the container, or bag, is airtight.

Clementines stored in the freezer are great for smoothies, fruit salads, or small snacks.

How To Cut Clementines

To avoid getting sick, always wash your hands before cutting the clementine.

When you cut them, make a small incision around the stem end, and then slice away the skin with a sharp knife. You may have to work carefully around the stem since it tends to be hard. After you’ve removed the skin, you can eat the clementine right away.

If you’re planning on making a salad, you can just chop the clementine into smaller pieces. Otherwise, you’ll need to cut the clementine into wedges.

How To Tell If Clementines Have Gone Bad

Clementines should be thrown away if mold appears on any part of the fruit.

They should also be discarded if they feel overly soft. An obvious sign of clementines that have gone bad is a change of color, as they turn green due to mold.

Clementines smell like oranges. This is usually not an overly powerful scent. If you notice that this scent has increased after buying them, it could be an indication that they are rotten.

Likewise, if you notice a very strong smell coming from the fruit, you should also discard it.

If your fruit appears edible and healthy but does not taste as it should when you bite it, the fruit may be starting to rot. Clementines are sweet, with a bit of acidity and sourness, so it is not difficult to tell when the taste of a clementine has been impacted.

Tips For Keeping Clementines Fresh

Clementine fruits are easy to store, but there are some things you should know before storing them.

• The crisper draw is an excellent way to store clementines. It is the ideal location to preserve the fruit, and the clementine will stay quite fresh in this location.
• You should only use a sealed container when you freeze clementines. Never use sealed containers for room temperature clementines, or refrigerate clementines. This is because it can cause bacteria and mold to grow rapidly, which will increase the rate the clementine decays. Any container you use, unless in the freezer, should be open, or extremely well ventilated.
• It is important to wash clementines thoroughly before using them. If you cut them, make sure you remove any dirt from the clementine. Then, rinse the clementine off under running water. The rinsing process helps remove excess juice, which could lead to spoilage.
• When you buy clementines, try to choose ones that are firm, and not too soft. Soft clementines tend to decay faster and are harder to peel. They also tend to be less sweet, which usually is a key selling point to clementines.

Summary

Clementines are delicious citrus fruits that are perfect for snacking, salads, and smoothie recipes. Clementines are best kept at room temperature, and in an airy environment.

When choosing clementines, look for those that are firm and not too soft. If you want to keep clementines fresh longer, place them in the refrigerator, where they will remain crisp and tasty for up to two weeks.