Apple Slices Won't Turn Brown with This Tip

How many times have you sliced apples, doused them in lemon juice yet they still turn brown an hour later?  That used to happen to me, but not any more. Not since I discovered a simple tip that keeps my apple (or pear) slices looking just the way they looked when I initially sliced them, even 4-6 hours hours later!

This method is so easy and simple, you probably won't believe it!

The other day I had a women's group meeting at my house. The meeting was called for 9:30 in the morning, so along with coffee and muffins I decided to serve some fresh apple slices and cheddar cheese.

I bought a bag of beautiful organic gala apples apples. I did not peel them, made thin slices, put them on a plate, and stored them in the refrigerator for about 3 hours before I served them. 

However, I did do one other thing when I initially sliced the apples!

As I was slicing them,  I tossed the apple slices into a large bowl of water to which I had added 1/4 cup of salt. YES- you read that correctly- good old regular table salt. The slices were only in the salt water for about three minutes before I rinsed them and placed them on a plate. Four hours later, the apples slices were still crispy, nice, and white!

I'm not a scientist, so I don't know why it works, it just does.
The salt water keeps the apples or pears from turning brown whether you are planning to pack them in a lunch box, serve them at a party, or freeze them in a baggy for future use in smoothies! Some people even use frozen fruit for baking cakes or pies!

Don't worry. The fruit does not taste salty at all!

I know that some people buy pre sliced apples in bags in the supermarket. This tip gives you the same results for 1/2 the price and probably many less chemicals. Pre-cut vegetables and fruit are usually washed in a chlorine bath to kill bacteria. Chlorine? Is that good for us? NO!!

I know that the pre cut variety are convenient, especially for school lunches- but the slices do get exposed to some chemicals that we don't want to eat and really- how long does it take to slice one fresh apple for the lunch box?

This is a great tip that I use, and I hope you will try it too!
What could be easier? 

If you do try it, let me know how it works for you-

Author: Judee Algazi @ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 5-7 minutes
Cook Time: None

Ingredients: 

4 Gala Apples or apples of your choice
Full bowl of water ( about 8-10 cups)
1/4 cup of table salt

Directions

In a medium- large size mixing bowl add water to top and 1/4 cup of table salt. Stir the salt.
Slice the apples or pears and toss them into the salt bath as you cut. Continue until all apples are cored and sliced. Add fresh water to the bath, ( Spilling out the old) and then drain and wash well.  Pat dry and store in refrigerator covered in plastic wrap or in a baggy until you are ready to eat or serve them. or freeze them for the future for smoothies

Rinse your apples or pears well tossing to remove any salt residue

I freeze organic pears and apples for smoothies!

My Notes: 

1. I leave the skin on because I use organic fruit; If you prefer, peel your fruit before freezing, especially if you want to use it for an apple cake or pie. I usually use my slices in a smoothie.

2. I am not a baker so I cannot say that frozen fruit will work for baking. However, I went online and so some posts that say you can! Let me know if you try it or know it works!

Shared on Vegan Fridays

Linking to Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking where anyone can share a food related post. 

This post is linked to vegan fridays and my list of Blog Carnivals