It's fall and we love this season to its core! Going to an orchard to pick apples is a wonderful fall activity for kids and families, but how do you keep those “just picked” apples fresh long enough to enjoy them?

According to Susan Brown, a professor at Cornell University who specializes in apple breeding, how you store your apples significantly impacts how your apples taste. "If consumers store fruits at room temperature, rather than in the refrigerator, they will soften and get mealy sooner," said Dr. Brown.

To keep your apple tasting farm fresh as long as possible, place your apples in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. The darker and cooler environment helps the apples maintain their crunch for a longer time. If you want to go the extra mile, place each individual apple in its own plastic bag or place a moist paper towel on top of your apples. This will help the fruits stay juicy. If you are a parent prepping apple slices for your kiddos, place your apple slices into sealable plastic bags or containers. The more airtight, the better. These slices can be maintained in the fridge for approximately three to five days.