When we discuss fruits and their shelf life, two terms always come up: Climacteric and non-climacteric fruit. Understanding these two categories and the differences between them can save you money and time, as you can determine how long the fruit can last and how it’s meant to be ripened.
What Is Climacteric Fruit?
Simply put, climacteric fruit refers to fruits that continue to ripen after being picked, while non-climacteric fruit refers to fruit that does not ripen after harvest.
Climacteric fruits usually have higher ethylene levels when they are fully matured, which triggers the ripening process. These fruits will continue to ripen even off the tree or vine when they are at their peak and usually have shorter shelf lives.
Examples of climacteric fruit include bananas, tomatoes, and avocados. Ethylene released by Climacteric fruit triggers internal changes within the fruit, such as turning from green to other color or soft flesh to a more mushy texture.
What Is Non-Climacteric Fruit?
On the other hand, non-climacteric fruit does not have this peak ripening moment. Unlike climacteric fruit, non-climacteric fruit does not produce more ethylene after being picked, so their maturation process ends once they are harvested.
This means that these fruits need to be consumed within a few days of picking or refrigerated to extend their shelf life.
Examples of non-climacteric fruits include cherries, citrus fruits, and grapes. These fruits are already fully mature when harvested, so they do not require further ripening.
Climacteric vs Non-Climacteric Fruit
As the ripening process of climacteric fruit can continue even off the tree or vine, you don’t have to worry if you buy this type of fruit under-ripe. Given enough time, it will reach the ripening level you want.
For non-climacteric fruit, it’s advisable to pick them when they are ripe or almost there since their ripening process does not continue after harvesting.
While it’s easy to assume that all fruits follow either the climacteric or non-climacteric category, some fruits blur the lines between these categories. Strawberries, for example, do not produce ethylene and are often considered non-climacteric. Still, they continue to ripen even after being picked, and thus they act like climacteric fruit.
Understanding the difference between climacteric and non-climacteric fruit is essential if you want to enjoy fruit at its best. Knowing which fruit belongs to which category will help you decide on the best time to purchase, store, and consume it.
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No matter the season, at CRJ Produce, we offer all the produce you need, all year round.
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