We usually don't pack sliced apples in our school lunches for the simple reason that apples, when sliced and exposed to air, turn an unsightly shade of brown. That has changed since we tried one of the many apple-slice-saving ideas out there - soaking them in ginger ale for 10 minutes (I also hear any lemon-lime soda will also work).
This technique is also fantastic for packing shaped apple slices in your bento and
easy lunchboxes. Best thing about it? Apples still taste like apples!
Sources:
The Make Your Own Zone
WikiHow
What kinds of tips have you heard about for keeping apple slices from turning brown?
great tip thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!
ReplyDeleteINTERESTING!!!! thanks for sharing! we will try this for our picnics this summer!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! My son told me (as I was packing apples into today's lunches) that he doesn't like them with the lemon juice on them. Daughter inhales them, though. Can't win 'em all!
ReplyDeleteNot lemon juice, use lemon-lime soda.
DeleteShe's saying that lemon juice is one of the tips she learned. I always use lemon juice too but I'll be glad to try the soda idea. Fresh lemon is too powerful and sometimes you just want to taste the apple.
DeleteI usually put the apple slices in a sandwich bag with just a drop or two of lemon juice, seal and smooth everything around to coat. Works really well and there's not enough lemon to change the taste.
DeleteI do LOVE ginger ale though, so I'm still going to try this!
Just wanted to say I love the new re-vamped site. Your tips are great. I just now got around to my green muffin tin lunch, in time for St. Patrick's Day. Thanks for always hosting.
ReplyDeleteDannyelle at www.lifeisaparty.ca
I use plain old apple juice to keep sliced apples from turning brown. My boys hated the lemon juice, but the apple juice works perfectly- obviously!
ReplyDeleteSalted water works amazingly well -- and I learned that from other Bento makers. Why it works is unknown --- the citric acid in lemon lime soda (and presumably the gingerale) are what works with those products.
ReplyDeleteSalt water isn't too pronounced a flavor. The salt cuts too sweet or too tart apples down a notch.
Interesting tip! I've always used lemon juice. It's something with the acidity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! You can also slice them 3/4 of the way down, pull the slicer back out so the apple holds together, wrap a rubberband around it & put in a baggie. My son then just breaks the slices off and they aren't brown. =)
ReplyDeleteThey also make a product called Fruit Fresh (Ball makes it). It's just a powder you can sprinkle on to keep the brown away. The great part is, it works for any fruit. I used it on the avocados when the boys were babies, and now I use it on bananas if they don't finish them.
ReplyDeleteAnything with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid.) I usually use apple juice, since it doesn't alter the flavor like lemon juice does, but Trader Joe's cinnamon pear cider is pretty tasty on them too!
ReplyDeleteThis is the best tip I have learned all week!
ReplyDeleteJo @ SmileMonsters
Do you know if this would work with Diet Ginger Ale?
ReplyDelete@Loranna238 I don't know, but I do know that the active ingredient that makes the apples not brown fast is asorbic acid, so I am thinking that Diet Ginger Ale has that too!
ReplyDeleteYippee! You just made my school-lunch-packing easier! Thanks for the great tip!
ReplyDeleteThe link to the easy lunchboxes is not working...can anyone point me to the right place. I need ideas!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI will fix the link Terra, but there is also a button on my right sidebar.
ReplyDeleteHow long will the apples stay fresh?
ReplyDeleteMine stayed fresh from around 7pm when I packed lunch and put it in the fridge until 11:30 the next day when the kids ate lunch at school.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found this tip on Pinterest! I used Lori's suggestion to use Apple Juice. It worked great.
ReplyDeleteI was 'snack mom' for the soccer team today. The apples were so juicy.
I wonder if you could save and reuse the apple juice to use on apple slice another time?
~Amy
Pineapple Juice...I buy the tiny cans and keep them in the pantry. When I slice up a bunch of apples I throw them in a big ziploc and add a small can of pineapple juice. Drain and they keep for a long time with out turning brown!
ReplyDeleteI tried this with Sprite and it was genius! Than you for the tip!
ReplyDeleteIf you have smallish apples, I slice the apple, and hold it together. Put the applein one of the rounded bottom Rubbermade 1 cup containers. Some times I sprinkle a little bit of Fruit Fresh on the inside of the container, but that depends on the Apple. I've had them last for days using this method. In fact I forgot one in the fridge at work for a week or so and it was still good. I also keep the apple cold, I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.
ReplyDeleteawesome Idea! I just shared on my blog facebook wall :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion, I heard that soaking the fruits in something like water with a little salt isn't the best idea b/c all the nutrients are sucked out by the water. do you know if that would happen with the Gingerale. I love the idea though.
ReplyDeletethanks,
Angela, I don't know. There may be something about the salt that draws the nutrition out. Ginger Ale isn't exactly nutritious either. I have also used Orange Juice and a little water or lemon juice and water. I just prefer the way the ones with ginger ale taste-more like apples
ReplyDeletei would imagine then that ginger syrup would work which would be healthier than ginger ale?? does anyonne know ar this point how long the apples keep for?
ReplyDeleteWe are doing this for our road trip tomorrow! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThis will be perfect for day trips! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to use this for my son's lunches and my orchid chicken salad!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try the apple juice idea for my son's lunches and with my orchid chicken salad!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried ginger ale, but I did use lemon-lime soda for apple slices that I took to a Halloween party a few years ago. I put them on a tray with caramel dip. Those apples stayed out for hours and did not brown. And they tasted like apples.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this... it sounds way better than lemon juice and water.
ReplyDeleteDo you use diet or regular lemon lime soda?
ReplyDeleteYou could use diet, it's the asorbic acid content that matters.
DeleteI just saw this apple tip & I'm going to try it. Do you think fresh apple cider would work
ReplyDeleteI have never tried this with apples. Always wonderd how to keep apples from browning. Do you think fresh apple cider would work.
ReplyDeleteJoanieB applle cider works fine along with 7-up, ginger ale, apple juice. I've tried them all and they all worked. Soaked them for about 20 minutes give or take and they stay nice and fresh and no browning.
ReplyDelete