Patent ID: 8119178

Claim:
A method of preserving fresh cut apples comprising: a. washing whole fresh apples in a sanitizing solution; b. coring and cutting the apples to form apple pieces; c. immersing the apple pieces in a solution made from a composition comprising ascorbic acid and calcium ions, wherein the molar ratio between the ascorbic acid and the calcium ions is between about 2.8:1 to about 4.0:1, and wherein the composition further comprises magnesium ions, and the weight ratio between the calcium ions and magnesium ions is between about 5.4:1 and about 11.3:1 for a period of time sufficient to transfer the functional additives in the composition to the apple pieces; d. removing excess solution from the apple pieces; e. packaging the apple pieces into containers; and f. quick-chilling the apple pieces in the sealed containers at temperatures of 0 to 4° C. for at least 24 hours.