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6. The Consumer's Choice
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An apple moves into the last and maybe most important stage of its life the instant it strikes a consumer's eye in the store. This is when the consumer's choice to carry the apple home completes all the care and effort invested in growing, harvesting, and transporting it. Apple choosing is sometimes more complicated than one would think. Whether for eating out of hand, baking, or preparing sauce, many customers have particular tastes for apple varieties. To check for firmness, examine the skin for flaws, or even just give them a brief sniff to evaluate freshness, they might gently squeeze apples. Another crucial element is color; although this isn't always true, many consumers associate deeper hues with superior taste. Once chosen, apples are sometimes put in reusable mesh bags or plastic produce bags before being loaded on the shopping cart. Cashiers are taught to treat produce carefully at checkout to prevent bruising. Some environmentally conscious consumers might choose to completely avoid plastic bags so their apples may roll freely in their cart or reusable shopping bag. The trip home brings other difficulties once you buy. Although apples are rather durable fruits, mishandled or incorrectly stored apples can still be destroyed. Apples should ideally be carried in a way that keeps them from rolling around and running afoul of other, tougher objects in the shopping bags. Once at home, customers have choices about apple storage. Although many people keep apples in a counter fruit bowl, particularly if they intend to eat them within a few days, refrigeration greatly increases the shelf life of apples. The refrigerator's crisper drawer offers a perfect habitat that preserves the correct combination of temperature and humidity to keep apples fresh for several weeks. Apples should, however, be kept far from other produce since they release ethylene gas that can hasten the ripening and spoiling of neighboring fruits and vegetables. Proper storage helps the apples be ready for their intended use: eating by the eager consumer who chose them.
