Inside: Your children love apple slices, however not brown, mushy ones? Use these intelligent hacks to pack apples in lunch packing containers that received’t look brown by lunchtime.
Apples are a no brainer for teenagers’ lunch packing containers. They’re inexpensive, out there in all places, and children love em.
Hassle is, some children don’t like biting into a complete apple of their lunch–particularly if they’ve new, delicate entrance tooth (or braces!).
However many children are turned off by sliced apples which have turned brown. And packaged, pre-sliced apples from the grocery retailer can style slightly humorous.
So listed here are 4 alternative ways to pack lower apples in your youngster’s lunch field that don’t flip brown, in order that they’re fresh-looking and interesting at lunch time.
Why do lower apples flip brown?
Once you slice an apple, the flesh of the apple is uncovered to air. That oxygen publicity triggers a chemical response that causes browning.
Which apples don’t brown as rapidly?
Some apple varieties don’t are likely to brown as rapidly as others. They embrace:
- Pink girl
- Granny smith
- Cosmic crisp
- Empire
- Cortland
- Honeycrisp
- Gala
Which apples brown the quickest?
These apples are likely to brown extra rapidly than others:
- Crimson Scrumptious
- McIntosh
- Fuji
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The Finest Solution to Pack Apples In Lunch Containers
Listed below are 4 simplest strategies for packing apples in lunch packing containers, in order that they don’t flip brown by lunchtime.
1. Soak apples slices in saltwater
This will likely sound unusual: salty apples?! However the apples don’t retain a salty taste, and this was the simplest, simplest way I attempted. The apples appeared and tasted recent 5 days later!
Why this works: The chloride in salt blocks the enzyme that causes browning.
The right way to do it:
- Slice recent apples into desired thickness
- Fill a bowl with 1 1/2 cups chilly water and dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in it
- Soak cut-up apple within the salt water for five minutes
- Drain and rinse apples, then retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge. Should you’re packing them in a lunch field, pat them dry in order that they’re not drippy.
2. Toss sliced apples in citrus juice
As a substitute of sprinkling apple slices with lemon juice (which some children discover too bitter), toss them in a combo of lemon juice and orange juice. It provides an incredible tangy taste. This was my boys’ favourite method to have apples of their lunch packing containers. In truth, I even packed an additional container of them after my child informed me how a lot his good friend preferred them!
Why this works: The vitamin C within the citrus inactivates the enzyme that causes browning (lime juice additionally works in case your children like that taste).
The right way to do it:
- Slice apples thinly and place in a leak-proof hermetic container
- Squeeze slightly little bit of lemon juice and orange juice over the apples (sufficient to coat all of the slices)
- Shake gently to coat the apples and pack in a lunchbox in an hermetic container (these will maintain for 1-2 days within the fridge however are finest eaten the identical day).
3. Combine sliced apples with pineapple juice
Pineapple juice is one other approach to assist forestall browning on apples. In case your children just like the candy, tropical taste of pineapple juice, they might like this technique finest.
Why this works: The vitamin C within the juice inactivates the browning enzyme.
The right way to do it:
- Slice apples and place in a leak-proof container.
- Pour slightly little bit of pineapple juice over the slices
- Shake gently to coat the apples and pack in a lunchbox in an hermetic container (these will maintain for 1-2 days within the fridge however are finest eaten the identical day).
4. Sprinkle lower apples with cinnamon and sugar
My children grew up consuming what we known as “apple pie apples”, that are simply apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
Why this works: It doesn’t forestall browning–the cinnamon-sugar merely disguises it (and provides a yummy, fall taste). Select an apple that doesn’t brown as rapidly, corresponding to Honeycrisp, Pink Woman, Granny Smith, or Cosmic Crisp.
The right way to do it:
- Minimize apples into slices.
- Sprinkle lower sides with a mix of cinnamon and sugar (or flippantly mud with plain cinnamon)
- Pack in a lunchbox. These are finest loved the identical day.
Different methods to pack apples in lunch packing containers
- Unfold apple slices with peanut butter: It’s a traditional combo! Slice apples and unfold one aspect with peanut butter (leaving room finish to choose them up).
- Sprinkle with ascorbic acid powder: This will likely have a scary-sounding identify, however it’s truly simply vitamin C in pill kind, offered as manufacturers like Ball Fruit Recent. It really works the identical approach that citrus juice does to cease the oxidation course of. Learn extra about it right here.
- Dip in sugar water: This technique entails soaking apples in sugar and honey dissolved in water. It’s extra pricey that utilizing salt water and never as efficient. Get the how-to right here.
FAQ About Packing Apples In Lunch Containers
What’s one of the best ways to chop apples?
Some folks like utilizing an apple cutter, which divides apples into eight equal wedges. My children desire extra thinly-sliced apples, so as a substitute of utilizing an apple slicer, that is how I do it: Slice on both aspect of the apple core, then lower off the edges. Lay the flat aspect of the apple sections on a slicing board and lower into skinny slices.
What in regards to the rubber band trick?
I’ve seen this apple trick throughout in social media: slice an apple, put it again collectively jigsaw puzzle-style, then wrap a rubber-band round it. However in my exams, the apple nonetheless turned brown inside.
Are sliced apples protected for youthful kids?
Items of onerous, uncooked vegatables and fruits like apples are thought-about a choking hazard for teenagers below 4. For infants, apples needs to be cooked delicate and mashed, and grated when infants are prepared for finger meals. Listed below are some baby-led weaning ideas for serving apples. For toddlers, slice apples thinly. See a full listing of choking hazard meals from the CDC.
Are apples wholesome for teenagers?
YES! Apples are a great supply of fiber for teenagers, one thing most youngsters want extra of. An apple’s pectin can increase intestine well being as a result of it feeds the wholesome micro organism within the gut. Apples pack potassium and even a little bit of vitamin C. Apples are additionally filling, rating increased on the “Satiety Index” (a scale of how satisfying completely different meals are) even above bananas and yogurt.
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