Danae, a homemaker in rural Maine, produces the YouTube channel ‘The Acadian Garden and Apothecary. In her new short film below, she shares one new-old way to store apples that’s been getting all kinds of buzz. Danae points out an 18th-century method of storing apples. One farmer I know wraps each apple individually in newspaper and puts them in a bushel basket, storing them in a cool, dry place, which can greatly prolong their lifespan. This approach used to be the norm before we had access to refrigeration. Nowadays, it is the perfect solution for those who wish to store apples for a longer period.
In the Americas, apples have historically been an important staple food. They’ve served as the catalyst for booms in products such as hard ciders. At ambient temperature, they often expire in as little as five days. With proper refrigeration, apples can stay fresh for five weeks. Danae’s method harks back to the ancient way of doing things. It takes sustainability seriously. With 20% of the material derived from sawdust, grains or heat-dried sand, the approach helps keep that pesky fruit fresher for longer.
“It was a really big deal for American households to have apple orchards, and those who did really tended to their apple orchards quite expertly,” – Danae
Danae’s video explores how, according to Eric Sloane’s “A Reverence for Wood,” some families historically managed to store fresh apples for two years using similar techniques. She urges for better treatment of climacteric apples and other highly ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables. This means constant attention to avoid spoilage.
“So, that’s really where that saying ‘one bad apple ruins the barrel’ comes from.” – Danae
In addition to showcasing this historical method, Danae highlights the importance of understanding food preservation as part of exploring botany and medicinal plants on her channel. Her videos are designed to familiarize people with alternative methods that can be applied to contemporary life.
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