Q What's the best way to store apples? Also, what are the nutrients in apples, besides fiber?

A Apples will last the longest and retain best quality when kept close to 32 degrees. Although garages, basements and root cellars can provide adequate storage conditions, the best place to store apples is the refrigerator. Higher temperatures always shorten the storage life of apples. Humidity helps reduce the shriveling of apples in storage. If the storage environment is low in humidity, as most refrigerators are, the fruit should be stored in a perforated plastic bag or a covered container.

An average apple contains about 90 calories and small amounts of vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Pectin and fiber aid intestinal activity. Apples are about 85 percent water.

When selecting apples, look for fruit that is well-colored for its variety. Red overcolor is not as important as the background color, which is the best visual indicator of ripeness. The background color (the area not covered by red pigment on red varieties) should be greenish yellow, indicating that the apple was picked at full maturity. Apples with a dark green background may have been picked before they were fully ripe and will not be as flavorful, although they may last longer in storage. Yellow apples have no red pigment covering their background color, so maturity is easier to judge.

University of Minnesota Extension Moth repellent, again Q I received a hand-me-down cedar chest, but instead of smelling like cedar, it smells of mothballs. Can it be restored?

A Yes. First you must completely air out the cedar chest. Because mothball odor volatizes in the air, simply leave the chest open in a well-ventilated area until the odor dissipates. Then renew the cedar lining.

Because cedar, in chests or closets, loses its moth-repelling qualities after 15 to 18 years, people mistakenly resort to mothballs, thinking the moth-repelling odor is gone for good. But all that's needed is to lightly sand the cedar to open up the wood and make it an effective moth repellent again.

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