No such thing as a bad apple

As research reveals we waste £245 of fruit each year, Elizabeth Archer shares surprising ways to save it from the bin

Wasting food feels like a real sin at the moment, but no matter how hard we try, fruit bowls end up overflowing with wizened apples and wrinkly lemons. In fact, we bin £245 of fruit each year, according to drinks brand Discarded Spirits.

Among the most commonly chucked fruits are apples, pears, oranges, lemons and raspberries.

“We’re used to our fruit looking perfect when we buy it from the supermarket, and often feel squeamish about using it when it’s past its best,” says Bob Andrew, chef and product developer at Riverford Organic Farms (riverford.co.uk).

“But even older or bruised fruit still has lots of life left in it – it just takes a little creativity.”

Use APPLES in a cake

Using fruit in your baking is a cunning way of reducing the amount of refined sugar in sweet treats.

“Add apples and pears to cake mixtures – it doesn’t matter if they’re a little soft, or past their best,” says Bob.

“Take your favourite cake recipe and reduce the sugar by up to half by replacing it with the same quantity of grated or pureed fruit.

“Generally, cake mixtures take the fruit well because it cooks down inside the mixture. Aim for the same texture in your batter as a carrot cake.”

Add PEARS to your roast dinner

While we might think of fruit as being best in sweet dishes, it can easily be added to savoury meals, too.

“The acid in fruit cuts through fatty meat, making it a delicious addition to roast dinners,” says Bob.

“Cut up apples or pears and use them as a bed to sit the meat on while it’s roasting. Then eat the fruit along with the other veggies in the meal – it will be delicious as it’ll have soaked up the meat juices.

“You can also add fruit to soups – for instance, cauliflower goes well with pear in a soup when blended. Grated or thinly sliced apples can be added to coleslaws too.”

DIY face mask with BLUEBERRIES

Fruit isn’t just delicious – it can be a great way to get skin glowing.

“Berries contain alpha hydroxy acids which brighten and exfoliate the skin,” says skin expert Abigail James of British Berry Growers.

“They also contain an amazing blend of essential minerals for skin health, notably magnesium, zinc and potassium.”

Take one strawberry, four blackberries, eight blueberries and seven raspberries or whichever berries you have to use up, and blend with two heaped tablespoons of oats, one teaspoon of honey and one tablespoon of yogurt.

Massage onto the face and leave for five to 10 minutes, before washing off with a damp flannel.

Clean up with LEMONS

Citrus fruits have acidic properties that make them useful for cleaning.

So, instead of throwing away wizened lemons, why not use them to clean your microwave?

“Make caked-on grime easier to wipe off by heating a cup of water with several tablespoons of vinegar and a chopped-up lemon on high until the microwave window is steamy,” says Lisa Williams, executive housekeeper at The

Grand, York (thegrandyork.co.uk).

“Let the bowl sit for five minutes before you open the door. Then notice how easy the inside is to wipe and clean.”

Make a drink with RASPBERRIES

If you’re trying to cut down on alcohol, why not try making a fruit shrub?

“A shrub is basically a fruit vinegar, which can be lengthened with soda water to make a sharp, sour drink, similar to kombucha,” says Bob.

“It’s a great thing to make ahead of time, and use as a delicious alternative to alcoholic drinks.”

First grate or crush leftover fruit – you can use oranges, apples, raspberries, or any other fruit you have lying around.

“Mix one part sugar, one part vinegar and four parts fruit, and leave this to steep in the fridge for two to three days,” Bob explains.

“Sieve out the fruit and discard. Store the vinegar in the fridge, and mix with soda water to taste.”

Revitalise plants with ORANGES

You can keep your plants looking happy with oranges.

“Use half an orange to wipe gently over your plant leaves to clear them of any dust/debris, allowing them to breathe again,” says Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies (beardsanddaisies.co.uk).

“Not only are oranges jampacked full of wonderful nutrients that can actually benefit your plants, but the natural citric acid can help remove any dirt and gently break down residue – leaving their leaves looking beautifully shiny and healthy.”