The optimum storage temperature for most fruits and vegetables is approximately how many degrees Celsius above their freezing point?

• A. About 0.5 to 1 degree C above freezing point
• B. About 5 to 7 degrees C above freezing point
• C. At or below freezing point
• D. About 10 to 15 degrees C below freezing point

Answer: (A)

Most produce lasts longer when its temperature slows metabolism without causing ice damage. Keeping fruits and vegetables just above their freezing point minimizes respiration and enzymatic activity, which reduces spoilage and moisture loss while preserving texture. If you store them much warmer, they respire faster and spoil sooner; if you drop them to or below freezing, ice crystals form and damage cell structure, harming texture and quality. So, the best storage approach for most produce is just above freezing, about 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius.