How to Keep Cut Apples from Darkening

Use lemon juice. Apples are darkened by an enzyme present in the fruit that reacts with the oxygen in the air. This process is called “oxidation”. Lemon juice can prevent oxidation because it contains citric acid, which is a very effective antioxidant. You can use fresh lemon or pre-mixed lemonade, this is best for sweet apples because fresh lemon juice can make apples sour. To use lemon juice to prevent apples from darkening, you can use one of two ways:

• You can also use lemon to help prevent your apples from darkening by soaking apple slices in a bowl of cold water mixed with lemon juice. You should mix in a ratio of one teaspoon of lemon juice to one cup of water. You just need to soak the apples for 3-5 minutes, then take them out and wash them. ^[1]
• Lemon nuggets can also be used instead of regular lemon juice because limes also contain citric acid, which is essential for the antioxidant process. Pineapple juice can also be a good alternative.

Use salt. Salt is a natural preservative and is very effective in keeping apple pieces from turning brown. Sprinkle salt over the apple plate with a spoon. To make sure your apples don’t taste too salty, don’t use more than a teaspoon of salt. This way can keep the apple pieces from oxidizing for quite a long time. ^[1]

• Don’t worry about the apples being salty – as long as you don’t use too much salt, the apple slices will still taste normal.

Use carbonated drinks. Carbonated drinks also contain citric acid, which helps keep your apple pieces from turning brown. Lemon soda and ginger ale are two popular drinks you can use to soak your apples.

• Simply drop the apple pieces into a bowl containing your chosen carbonated water, soak for 3-5 minutes then drain. You can wash them if you want, or just leave them be and enjoy the new flavors infiltrating!
• Seltzer mineral water (xenxe) is also an option to help you keep the apple slices from browning, so you can give it a try if you have this on hand! ^[1]

Use Fruit-Fresh powder to keep fruit fresh. Fruit-Fresh Powder is a powdered mixture of citric acid and ascorbic acid, specifically designed for the purpose of keeping fruit from darkening. It is said to prevent fruit from darkening for up to 8 hours, and you can buy it in the canning section of most grocers. ^[2]

• To use Fruit-Fresh powder, all you need to do is sprinkle half a teaspoon of powder on each plate of sliced apples. Make sure the dough evenly coats the surface of the apple pieces. ^[2]

Blanch the apple. You can blanch apple pieces to prevent them from browning, and blanch apples to deactivate the enzymes in apples, making them unable to catalyze oxygen in the air. ^[3] To blanch apples, simply dip them in warm water for about 5 minutes, then remove and rinse with cold water.

• You should note that using this method will make the surface layer of the apple pieces soft, when eaten, they will lose their taste. So this method is best suited for apples that you plan to use in cooking or baking. ^[4]

Cover with food wrap. One simple method you can use to prevent apples from turning brown is to wrap the apple pieces in cling film. This technique works by preventing air from coming into contact with the apple pulp, thereby preventing the apple pulp from oxidizing. Try to wrap the wrap around the apple as tightly as possible and avoid letting any creases in the glossy paper come into contact around the opening of the apple.

• This method is best used with halved apples rather than small pieces because tightly wrapping a large apple is easier.
• It should be noted that as long as there is a little air inside the wrapper, the apple will oxidize. Because it is difficult to completely remove air, this method is not the most effective.

Use string to tie. Using an elastic band is a pretty creative, and easy to do, way to prevent your apples from browning, although it can only be used with whole apples that have been cut into pieces, and not peeled. This method works because it doesn’t leave the apple pulp exposed to the air. ^[5]

• Simply cut the apple into regular pieces then put them back together like a jigsaw puzzle, to get the same shape as the original apple. Wrap the rubber band around the apple so it will appear as if it hasn’t been cut. ^[5]
• This is a good option for those who want to bring pre-cut apples to work or for their kids to bring for their school lunch.