How Long Do Oranges Last? Complete Guide

Fruits are a healthy snack option, and oranges are no exception. Oranges are a good source of vitamin C, which is important for your immune system. But how long do oranges last? Will they spoil if you don’t eat them right away?

The answer to that question depends on a few factors, including how ripe the orange is when you buy it and how you store it.  They have no printed expiration date when purchasing from a store or market.  You also don’t know how long they have been sitting on the shelf. 

So the answer depends on a number of factors. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Factors that Affect How Long Oranges Last:

Type of orange: 

There are two types of oranges navel and Valencia.  Navel oranges are the ones you typically see in stores. They are best for eating fresh because they are less acidic than Valencia oranges. Valencia oranges are used for juicing because they are more acidic and have a higher juice content.

The oranges are known for their long shelf life. That’s because the gas levels in the fruit are low, which prevents the growth of mold and bacteria. The shelf time for navel oranges is 3-5 weeks, and you can store them at room temperature. For Valencia oranges, the shelf life is 2-4 weeks, and you should keep them in the fridge.

The ripeness of orange: 

The shelf life also depends on how ripe the orange is when you buy it. Sometimes, you can tell if an orange is ripe by looking at the color. Ripe oranges will be a darker orange than unripe oranges.  If you’re not sure if an orange is ripe, you can check the taste. Ripe oranges will be sweet, while unripe oranges will be sour. An orange that is not ripe will last longer than an already ripe orange. That’s because a ripe orange has more sugar in it, which is food for bacteria and mold. 

Fresh Oranges or Cut Oranges: 

If you cut an orange, it will start to spoil faster than if you eat it whole. That’s because when you cut into an orange, you expose the fruit to the air. Air is a source of bacteria and mold, and those two things can grow quickly on oranges. So a fresh orange will last longer than a cut orange. 

The size of the orange also affects how long it will last. An orange that is cut into small pieces will spoil faster than an orange that is left whole. That’s because there is more surface area for bacteria and mold to grow on when the orange is cut into pieces.

However,  if you’re going to eat a cut orange within a day or two, it’s fine to keep it at room temperature. You should also store oranges in the fridge if you’re not going to eat them right away. The fridge will help keep the orange from spoiling.

How Long do Oranges Last in the Fridge?

Another factor that affects how long oranges last is the way you store them.  If you store them in the fridge, they will last longer and stay fresher when you eat them. The fridge is a great place to store fruits and vegetables because it keeps the temperature consistent and slows down the process of decay. 

The fridge is a colder environment, which slows down the growth of bacteria and mold. Oranges will last 2-4 weeks in the fridge, even if they are already ripe. If the orange is not ripe, it will last 1-2 months in the fridge.

The downside to refrigerating oranges is that they will lose their flavor over time. So if you want to eat them cold, try freezing them instead. 

How Long do Oranges Last at Room Temperature?

If you don’t want to put your oranges in the fridge, you can also store them at room temperature. However, the shelf life is shorter than if they are refrigerated.  An orange will last 3-5 days at room temperature.  Room temperature is also a place where bacteria and mold can grow, so the oranges won’t last as long as if they were in the fridge.

Some people say that storing oranges in a paper bag will help them last longer. That’s because the bag will keep the fruit from getting too dry. However, other people say that it’s better to store oranges in a plastic bag because the paper bag can attract insects.

How would you know if an Orange has Gone Bad?

The best way to know if an orange has gone bad is to look at it and smell it. If the orange is moldy or slimy, then it has gone bad, and you should not eat it. The orange will also have a sour smell if it has gone bad. Another sign that an orange has gone bad is if the color has changed. 

If the orange is darker than usual or if it has spots on it, then it is not fresh, and you should not eat it. 

One way to tell if an orange is still good to eat is by tasting it. A fresh orange will be sweet, while a rotten orange will be sour. However, if the orange has been in the fridge for a while, it may not taste as sweet as an orange that was just picked.

 

Conclusion: 

So how long do oranges last? Oranges will last longer if they are not ripe, and they will last the longest if they are stored in the fridge. If you want to eat them cold, try freezing them instead of refrigerating them. An orange will last 3-5 weeks at room temperature and 1-2 months in the fridge. 

You should also look at and smell the orange to see if it has gone bad. If it is moldy or slimy or has a sour smell, then you should not eat it. 

I hope this article was helpful! If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section.