FRUIT RIPENING AND STORAGE TIPS

*Fruits are listed in alphabetical order 

Cherries:

1. Store them unwashed in the coldest part of the refrigerator.

2. 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.

3. Rinse them under cold water only when you are ready to use or eat them.

4. Avoid placing cherries near windows, sunlit areas or other warm areas for a prolonged period of time. Warm environments cause cherries to deteriorate quickly.

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Dragon Fruits:

1. A ripe fruit will give slightly to gentle pressure.

2. To ripen fruit, leave at room temperature for one to two days.

3. Refrigerate ripe fruit in a crisper drawer up to three or four days.

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Grapes:

1. To keep grapes at their freshest, store them unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

2. Before storing, check for signs of deterioration and poor stem attachment and remove them.

3. Place them near the back of the fridge as it is normally cooler there and they should keep well for 1 to 2 weeks.

4. They tend to absorb odours, so avoid storing them near foods like onions. 

 

Mangoes:

1. Gently squeeze the fruit. A ripe mango will give slightly and will have a fruity aroma at the stem.

2. 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.

3. Once your mango is ripen, place it in the fridge. Whole mangoes can last up to 5 days.

 

Passion Fruits:

1. 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.

2. If the skin is smooth, ripen at room temperature and turn occasionally.

3. Once ripe, the fruit can be kept in the fridge for about two weeks.

 

Peaches & Nectarines:

1. 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! 

2. 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!

3. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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. 

3. Once they are ripe, storing in the refrigerator can extend their shelf live for 1 to 2 weeks.

 

Plums:

1. Store plums at room temperature to ripen. A ripe fruit will yield when pressed gently. Once they ripen, they will be sweeter and juicier!

2. To speed up the ripening process, place plums in a paper bag and store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

3. Storing ripe plums in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer will prolong their eating life — they should keep for 3 to 5 days.​

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