How did fruit transported from colonies to the capitals during the colonial era stay fresh enough during shipping trips lasting months at sea?

Question

You often hear in history how fruits such as pineapples and bananas (seen as an exotic foreign produce in places such as Britain) were transported back to the country for people, often wealthy or influential, to try. How did such fruits last the months long voyages from colonies back to the empire’s capital without modern day refrigeration/freezing?

In: 7801

Answer 1

Most of the food was not shipped over seas during the colonial days. They hunted, gathered and grew what they could.

Fresh fruit in a large variety at stores is a modern phenomenon, back then they had what could be grown here. Apples, Pears and Quince were very popular.

EtA The question was changed while I was replying.