Why can't lychees be placed directly in the refrigerator?

Before sharing preservation tips, let's first understand why putting lychees directly into the refrigerator is a "wrong choice." Lychee is a tropical fruit, originally from southern China, and prefers a warm and humid environment. Its skin and flesh are very delicate and extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Here are several problems that may arise from directly refrigerating lychees:

1. Low temperature damage: The temperature in the refrigerator's cooling compartment is usually between 0-5°C, while the suitable storage temperature for lychees is around 7-10°C. Too low a temperature can cause "cold damage" to the lychee skin, resulting in black spots or browning, and the flesh will gradually lose moisture, becoming shriveled and tasteless.

2. Moisture loss: The environment in the refrigerator's cooling compartment is relatively dry, making it easy for the lychee skin to lose moisture, leading to dry flesh and a significant decrease in taste.

3. Bacterial growth: The surface of lychees may carry a small amount of moisture or sugar. If placed directly in the refrigerator, the humidity inside the sealed bag cannot dissipate, making it easy for mold to grow, leading to fruit rot.

4. Odor contamination: Refrigerators usually store various foods, and the thin skin of lychees easily absorbs odors from the refrigerator, affecting their original fragrance.

Tip 1: Room temperature + moist wrapping method, simple and practical

The first method is suitable for short-term storage (7-15 days), especially for those who do not have much storage equipment at home or do not want to take up refrigerator space. The core of this method is to simulate the natural growing environment of lychees, maintaining the fruit's moisture and freshness. Here are the specific steps:

Materials needed:

• Fresh lychees (preferably just picked, with bright red skin and no damage)
• Clean damp towel or absorbent paper
• Breathable paper bag or bamboo basket
• Spray bottle (optional)

Storage steps:

• Select quality lychees: The first step in storage is to choose fresh lychees. Quality lychees have bright skin color (red or pink), plump flesh, are elastic when pressed, and have no obvious soft spots or off odors. If the lychees have started to brown or have cracks, it is recommended to consume them as soon as possible, as they are not suitable for long-term storage.
• Wash and dry: Gently wash the lychees in clean water to remove surface dust and impurities. After washing, use a clean dry towel or kitchen paper to absorb the surface moisture, but do not dry them completely; keep a little moisture.
• Wrap for moisture retention: Take a clean damp towel (wrung out so it doesn't drip) or several sheets of absorbent paper, and gently wrap the lychees. The moisture from the towel can simulate the dew environment on the lychee tree, preventing the skin from losing moisture. If you don't have a damp towel, you can also use a spray bottle to lightly mist the surface of the lychees.
• Place in a breathable container: Put the wrapped lychees in a paper bag or bamboo basket. Do not use a sealed plastic bag, as lychees need slight ventilation to avoid mold. A paper bag or bamboo basket can maintain humidity while ensuring air circulation.
• Store in a cool, ventilated place: Place the container with the lychees in a cool, ventilated area indoors, avoiding direct sunlight. The ideal storage temperature is 15-20°C, such as a corner of the house or a storage room.
• Regularly check and mist: Check the condition of the lychees every 2-3 days. If the towel or absorbent paper becomes dry, you can use the spray bottle to add a small amount of moisture. If you find any spoiled lychees, remove them promptly to avoid affecting the other fruits.

Storage effect:

Using this method, lychees can be stored at room temperature for 7-15 days, with the skin remaining red and the flesh still sweet and juicy, almost indistinguishable from when they were just bought. Farmers say this method is particularly suitable for short-term storage and does not take up refrigerator space, making it very suitable for home use.

Tips:

If the temperature at home is high (above 25°C), consider placing the lychees in an air-conditioned room for better results.

The towel or absorbent paper used to wrap the lychees should be kept clean to prevent bacterial contamination.

Tip 2: Low temperature + plastic wrap portioning method, suitable for long-term storage

If you have bought a large quantity of lychees or wish to store them for a longer time (more than 15 days), you can try the second method—low temperature + plastic wrap portioning method. This method combines low-temperature storage and humidity control, preventing cold damage while maximizing the shelf life of lychees.

Materials needed:

• Fresh lychees
• Plastic wrap
• Clean plastic box or storage bag
• Refrigerator (cooling compartment)

Storage steps:

• Select and wash: Similar to the first method, choose fresh, undamaged lychees, gently wash them, and use a dry towel to absorb excess moisture, keeping the surface slightly damp.
• Portion and wrap: Divide the lychees into small portions, about 10-15 pieces each, and gently wrap them in plastic wrap. When wrapping, do not make it too tight; leave a small gap for the lychees to "breathe." Each portion should be an amount suitable for one-time consumption, so that taking them out does not affect the storage of the other lychees.
• Place in a plastic box or storage bag: Put the wrapped lychees in a clean plastic box or storage bag. The box or bag does not need to be completely sealed; leave a small opening to maintain ventilation.
• Low-temperature storage: Place the packed lychees in the refrigerator's cooling compartment, setting the temperature at 7-10°C (most refrigerators' cooling compartments are slightly lower, so you can choose a position near the door or adjust the temperature). Avoid placing lychees in the freezer, as too low a temperature will damage the flesh tissue.
• Regularly check: Check the condition of the lychees every 3-5 days, promptly removing any spoiled fruit. If you find water droplets inside the plastic wrap, wipe them with a dry towel and rewrap.

Storage effect:

Using this method, lychees can be stored for 15-20 days. The skin color may slightly darken, but the flesh remains sweet and juicy, with the taste almost unaffected. Farmers particularly remind that portioning and the use of plastic wrap are key, as they can effectively reduce mutual squeezing and moisture accumulation between lychees, thus extending storage time.

Tips:

If the refrigerator temperature is difficult to adjust, you can place a layer of absorbent paper at the bottom of the plastic box to absorb excess moisture.

When taking out lychees, try to take out a small portion at a time to avoid repeatedly opening the storage environment for the other lychees.