FRUIT RIPENING AND STORAGE TIPS
*Fruits are listed in alphabetical order
Cherries:
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Store them unwashed in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
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Avoid storing cherries near strong-smelling foods (like onions or garlic). Your cherries can take on the odour of these foods which alters their taste.
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Rinse them under cold water only when you are ready to use or eat them.
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Avoid placing cherries near windows, sunlit areas or other warm areas for a prolonged period of time. Warm environments cause cherries to deteriorate quickly.
Dragon Fruits:
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A ripe fruit will give slightly to gentle pressure.
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To ripen fruit, leave at room temperature for one to two days.
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Refrigerate ripe fruit in a crisper drawer up to three or four days.
Grapes:
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To keep grapes at their freshest, store them unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
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Before storing, check for signs of deterioration and poor stem attachment and remove them.
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Place them near the back of the fridge as it is normally cooler there and they should keep well for 1 to 2 weeks.
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They tend to absorb odours, so avoid storing them near foods like onions.
Mangoes:
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Gently squeeze the fruit. A ripe mango will give slightly and will have a fruity aroma at the stem.
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Keep unripe mango at room temperature, it will turn soft and sweet in a few days. If you want to speed up the process you can place your mango in a paper bag, still at room temperature.
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Once your mango is ripen, place it in the fridge. Whole mangoes can last up to 5 days.
Passion Fruits:
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Slightly wrinkled fruits are ripe and will have a sweeter taste than the smooth skinned passion fruit. If it is too wrinkled, it is overripe.
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If the skin is smooth, ripen at room temperature and turn occasionally.
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Once ripe, the fruit can be kept in the fridge for about two weeks.
Peaches & Nectarines:
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Store peaches and nectarines at room temperature until ripe — this usually takes 2 to 3 days. Peaches are best kept on their shoulders (not their bottoms), not touching one another and not stacking too many on top of each other. A ripe fruit will yield a bit when pressed gently. Once they ripen, they will be sweeter and juicier!
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To speed up the ripening process, place nectarines or peaches in a paper bag and store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight. It will contain the ethylene gas the fruits give off, which hastens the ripening process!
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Store them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process, but this does not bring it to a complete stop. If possible, store them in their original boxes to protect against physical damage and bruises. If not, store them in the crisper drawer will prolong its eating life — it should keep for up to a week when refrigerated. Keep your eyes on your peaches and don't refrigerate for too long as they can start to dry out.
Pears:
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Ripen pears by allowing them to sit at room temperature for several days. To speed up the ripening process, put pears in a paper bag with a ripe apple or a banana.
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Test for ripeness by pressing at the neck of the pear with your thumb. If it gives under the pressure, your pear is ripe and ready for eating.
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Once they are ripe, storing in the refrigerator can extend their shelf live for 1 to 2 weeks.
Plums:
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Store plums at room temperature to ripen. A ripe fruit will yield when pressed gently. Once they ripen, they will be sweeter and juicier!
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To speed up the ripening process, place plums in a paper bag and store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
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Storing ripe plums in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer will prolong their eating life — they should keep for 3 to 5 days.