How long can Shatang mandarins be stored? Shelf life at room temperature and in the fridge, plus storage methods

Shatang mandarins have thin skins, lots of juice and high sweetness, so when the season comes, many families buy them by the box. But buy too many and you cannot finish them, and after a few days they go soft, leak juice or even grow mold, which is a real shame. So how long can Shatang mandarins actually be stored? How should you store them to keep them fresh longer? Let us make it all clear at once.

Room temperature vs. refrigeration: the storage time differs by double

Generally speaking, Shatang mandarins keep for about 10 days at room temperature; if you put them in the fridge, the storage time can be extended to around 20 days. The temperature in a fridge's cool compartment is mostly around 4 degrees C. At this temperature, the mandarins' respiration is weaker and their consumption of nutrients is relatively small; they will not be frostbitten, nor will they produce harmful substances that cause food poisoning, so they are safe to eat. In addition, the humidity in the fridge is relatively high, which can prevent the mandarins from losing too much water and keep the peel from shriveling and the taste from deteriorating.

The distance from the place of origin also affects storage time

The storage time of Shatang mandarins is also related to the transport distance. In places close to the production areas, such as Sichuan and Chongqing, mandarins can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 months; while oranges transported to the north, because they inevitably get bumped during transport and the fruit carries some hidden bruises, can generally be kept in the fridge for about 1 month. So after buying them and bringing them home, it is best to first pick out the bumped and broken-skinned fruits and eat them as soon as possible, then store the intact ones for the long term.

Different quantities call for different storage methods

If you have only a small quantity of Shatang mandarins at home, you can just put them in the fridge, keeping the temperature at around 4 degrees C; if you have stockpiled a large amount at once and the fridge cannot hold it all, you can use wooden boxes or bamboo baskets for storage, placing them in a cool, ventilated spot and taking care to avoid stacking pressure and direct sunlight. Whichever method you use, check them regularly and promptly pick out the soft or moldy fruits, so that "one bad one spoils the whole box" does not happen.

To sum up: Shatang mandarins keep about 10 days at room temperature and about 20 days refrigerated; near the place of origin they keep longer refrigerated, while in the north the storage time is relatively shorter. Choose refrigeration or wooden boxes and bamboo baskets according to the quantity, and combine that with frequent checking, and you can keep your Shatang mandarins fresh for a while longer.