Apples in controlled storage with elements symbolizing taste and texture changes.

Apple Quality Under Review: How Storage Affects Taste and Texture

Jordan Keane in Science & Nature September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the science behind apple storage and its impact on sensory quality. Learn how to select and store apples to maintain their best flavor and crispness."

Apples are a beloved fruit enjoyed worldwide, but maintaining their quality from harvest to consumption can be a challenge. How apples are stored significantly impacts their taste, texture, and nutritional value. Understanding these changes is crucial for both consumers and producers aiming to deliver the best possible eating experience.

A recent study investigated how storage conditions affect the sensory and physicochemical properties of three popular apple cultivars: ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Idared’, and ‘Gloster’. The research, which monitored apples over 14 weeks under controlled storage conditions, provides valuable insights into the factors that influence apple quality during storage.

This article breaks down the key findings of the study, offering practical tips on how to select, store, and enjoy apples at their peak. Whether you're a home cook, a health enthusiast, or simply an apple aficionado, understanding the science behind apple storage can help you make the most of this versatile fruit.

What Happens to Apples During Storage? Understanding the Science

Apples in controlled storage with elements symbolizing taste and texture changes.

The study focused on three apple varieties stored at 6°C with 70% relative humidity over 14 weeks. Researchers tracked various sensory attributes like taste, texture, and overall quality, alongside physicochemical parameters such as weight, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and dry matter content. All these factors are crucial in determining how enjoyable an apple is to eat.

During storage, apples undergo several metabolic changes that affect their quality. These changes include:

Respiration and Gas Exchange: Apples continue to respire after harvest, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This process affects the fruit's composition and can lead to changes in taste and texture.
Pectin Breakdown: Pectin compounds, which contribute to the firmness of apples, break down during storage. This can result in a softer, mealier texture.
Organic Acid Conversion: Organic acids, such as malic acid, contribute to the sour taste of apples. These acids can be converted into sugars during storage, affecting the overall flavor profile.
Aroma Compound Changes: The aroma compounds that give apples their distinctive scent also change during storage, influencing their overall sensory appeal.

The research showed that all examined parameters changed over the 14-week storage period, with the most significant changes occurring in weight, texture, and taste. There were also notable differences between the three cultivars tested, highlighting that not all apples respond to storage in the same way. For example, weight loss was most pronounced in 'Golden Delicious' apples, while 'Idared' apples maintained their weight better.

Key Takeaways: How to Keep Your Apples Delicious

Understanding how storage affects apples can help you make informed choices when buying and storing this popular fruit. Choose firm, unbruised apples and store them in a cool, humid environment to slow down metabolic changes and maintain their quality. By paying attention to these factors, you can enjoy the crisp, flavorful apples you love for longer.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the key factors that influence apple quality during storage?

The key factors influencing apple quality during storage are primarily sensory attributes like taste, texture, and overall quality, and physicochemical parameters such as weight, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and dry matter content. These factors are affected by metabolic changes including respiration and gas exchange, pectin breakdown, organic acid conversion, and changes in aroma compounds. The study specifically examined three apple cultivars: 'Golden Delicious', 'Idared', and 'Gloster', stored at 6°C with 70% relative humidity, and found that weight, texture, and taste were most significantly impacted over 14 weeks.

How does the respiration process affect the quality of apples during storage, and what are the implications?

During storage, apples continue to respire, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This process affects the fruit's composition, leading to changes in taste and texture. Respiration is a metabolic process that breaks down the apple's components, affecting its firmness and sweetness. The ongoing respiration can reduce the crispness and alter the flavor profile. The study also showed that different cultivars may undergo different rates of these changes.

What specific changes occur in apples that affect their texture, and how can these changes be mitigated?

Pectin breakdown is a significant change affecting apple texture. Pectin, a compound that provides firmness, breaks down during storage, resulting in a softer, mealier texture. To mitigate these changes, store apples in a cool, humid environment. The cool temperature slows down the metabolic processes, including pectin breakdown. Proper storage conditions are crucial to slow down the breakdown of pectin, which will help maintain the desired crisp texture for a longer period.

How do organic acids in apples transform during storage, and what is the impact on the apple's flavor?

Organic acids, such as malic acid, which contributes to the sour taste of apples, can be converted into sugars during storage. This conversion affects the overall flavor profile, making the apples potentially sweeter but also potentially losing some of the tartness that provides complexity to the taste. This change in the ratio of acids to sugars will result in a different taste experience. Maintaining cooler temperatures will also slow down the rate of conversion.

What practical steps can I take to ensure the apples I buy and store retain their best flavor and texture?

To ensure that your apples retain their best flavor and texture, choose firm, unbruised apples. Store them in a cool, humid environment, such as the refrigerator, to slow down metabolic changes. This includes controlling the temperature and humidity levels as mentioned in the study, which examined storage at 6°C with 70% relative humidity. By implementing these storage methods, you can slow down the respiration process, the breakdown of pectin, and conversion of organic acids to maintain the desirable crispness, flavor, and nutritional value of your apples for a longer duration. The study demonstrated that different apple cultivars, such as 'Golden Delicious', 'Idared', and 'Gloster', respond differently to storage conditions; so, keep in mind that the ideal storage conditions may vary slightly based on the specific variety.