How to store fresh citrus fruit after delivery
Organic oranges, lemons and mandarins are living, delicate fruits. After the journey, they need air, space and an immediate check: a few simple steps as soon as the box arrives can help keep them fresh for much longer.
The journey is over: now your citrus fruit needs to breathe
During shipping, the fruit stays close together inside the box. This is necessary to protect it, but once delivered it should be unpacked, checked and stored in a cool, well-ventilated place.
A fruit may have been bruised or slightly cut during transport. If it remains pressed between the others, moisture and mould can spread more easily to nearby fruit.
What to do as soon as you receive the box
No special tools are needed: just a few minutes and a suitable place to spread out the fruit.
Open immediately
Open the box fully as soon as it is delivered so that any heat and moisture built up during the journey can escape.
Take the fruit out
Do not use the shipping box as permanent storage. Remove the citrus fruit and place it in open crates, on trays or in well-ventilated baskets.
Check the fruit
Look immediately for any fruit with bruises, cuts, soft areas or signs of mould and separate it from the rest.
Divide into small groups
Avoid large, tightly packed piles. The more air can circulate between the fruit, the better it will keep.
Choose the right place
Store the fruit in a cool, dry place, protected from rain and away from radiators, ovens and other heat sources.
Divide into small groups
2–3 kg per groupDo not keep all the fruit piled up in one place. Dividing the box into groups of around 2–3 kg reduces pressure on the fruit underneath and allows air to circulate more freely.
Use baskets, low open crates or trays. If you need to stack the citrus fruit, keep the number of layers to a minimum and check the fruit underneath regularly.
Cool, dry and well ventilated
The right place does not have to be extremely cold. What matters most is avoiding trapped moisture, water, direct sunlight and excessive heat.
- Cool balcony protected from sun and rain
- Dry, well-ventilated cellar
- Cool pantry with good air circulation
- Open baskets or crates that allow the fruit to breathe
- Refrigerator if the house is very warm and there is no cool place available
- Leaving the shipping box closed
- Kitchen areas near radiators, ovens or hobs
- Balconies exposed to rain or direct sunlight
- Sealed plastic bags and containers with no airflow
- Large piles of compressed fruit that are never checked
If mould appears, act immediately
Organic citrus fruit and fruit that has not been surface-treated is more delicate. A small knock can damage the peel and create a vulnerable spot where moisture and poor airflow can encourage deterioration.
Report it immediately: it will be refunded with your next order
Despite the care taken during harvesting and packing, a fruit can be bruised or cut during transport. If this happens, separate it from the others immediately and contact customer service.
The beauty and the more delicate side of organic fruit
Our citrus fruit is not surface-treated with protective waxes or anti-mould preservatives. This means you receive a more natural fruit with an authentic peel, but it also requires a little more care after delivery.
This is not a product defect: it is a characteristic of fresh organic fruit. Opening the box immediately, separating the fruit and storing it correctly means respecting its natural qualities and reducing waste.
Quality continues at home: air, space, dry conditions and regular checks are the best allies for your citrus fruit.
Questions about storage
Quick answers to read before and after your box arrives.
How long can I leave the box closed?
Can I store all the citrus fruit in the same container?
Is a balcony suitable?
Can I store it in a cellar?
Can I keep citrus fruit in the refrigerator?
Should I wash it before storing it?
What should I do if a fruit develops mould?
What should I do if I find damaged fruit on delivery?
Open, check, divide and let it breathe
Four simple steps to respect the natural qualities of organic citrus fruit and enjoy it in the best possible condition.