9 Harvesting Mature or ripe fruit? When a fruit is fully grown it is said to be mature. Hence, a mature fruit does not grow anymore, but it continues to ripen. In some mature fruits the ripening process includes a brief phase of accelerated ripening (the ‘climacterium’). | 9 Harvesting Mature or ripe fruit When a fruit is fully grown it is said to be mature. Hence a mature fruit does not grow anymore but it continues to ripen. In some mature fruits the ripening process includes a brief phase of accelerated ripening the climacterium . These climacteric fruits can be harvested at any time between the mature and ripe stage. If they are harvested as soon as they are mature the ripening period can be used to transport and market the fruit and then it may still require a few days in the fruit bowl before it is at its best. Moreover if the fruit is refrigerated or kept in controlled atmosphere for instance on a banana boat before the climacterium is reached ripening is delayed until the fruit comes out of storage. In this way the so-called shelf-life of climacteric fruit can be extended for weeks or months facilitating longdistance trade. Some crops have mature fruits that ripen gradually at a steady pace non-climacteric fruits . These fruits should not be harvested before they are ripe because the ripening process stops as soon as they are picked. The taste flavour and texture of an unripe fruit do not improve after harvest. Harvesting at the ripe stage implies that the fruit should be eaten soon there is little time for transport trade and display in the market shop. On the other hand the harvest time may range widely depending on the preferred quality. For instance most people like a sweet mandarin but if you prefer a more acidic taste you can harvest much earlier. The slow ripening is sometimes used to store the fruit . citrus and grapes on the tree. Examples of fruit crops in both groups are given in the Appendix. Growers are inclined to harvest early in order to minimise losses by theft birds bats fruit flies and so forth. Seasonal fruit is often harvested early in order to be sold before others flood the market. However picking immature or unripe fruit is bound to spoil your reputation as it puts off those who eat the fruit. .
