Fruit is a healthy, nutritious and, above all, very tasty food... when it is perfectly ripe!

Few things are more disappointing to the palate than a banana that is still green or an apple that is too hard and has no flavor. For transport and distribution needs , however, the fruit is often harvested when it is still unripe , so that it arrives on the market while still fresh.

For this reason, it can sometimes happen that the fruit you find on the supermarket counter, or in the box delivered by your trusted greengrocer, is not all fully ripe.

It can be annoying, but it is not irreparable: with the right precautions it is possible to ripen fruit quickly at home, without the risk of ruining it. And if you need some advice to do so, keep reading the article!

Which fruit ripens at home?

Not all fruit continues to ripen after being picked. Only what are called "climacteric fruits" do this, which include apples, pears, bananas, kiwis, figs, peaches, apricots, plums, melons, watermelons, persimmons and avocados.

On the other hand, fruits such as cherries, pineapple, citrus fruits , pomegranates and berries are "non-climacteric". When you buy this fruit, therefore, always be very careful to avoid unripe fruit!

Avoid the fridge!

Habit and instinct may suggest storing fruit in the fridge, but this should only be done if it is already very ripe.

In fact, low temperatures, in addition to altering the flavor of the fruit, slow down the formation of ethylene, the gaseous hormone that allows it to ripen. It is better to keep the fruit at room temperature , away from heat sources and direct sunlight and in a breathable container, such as the classic wicker basket.

Store fruit in paper bags

One of the most common and effective methods to encourage the ripening of unripe fruit is to store it in paper bags, such as those used for bread.

Be careful, however, not to overfill the bag , to close it well to avoid dispersion of the ethylene and to change the position of the fruits from time to time to prevent bruising. You will see them reach perfect ripeness in about five days.

Napkins and tea towels made of linen, cotton and other breathable fabrics can also be used to ripen fruit. Simply place your fruits on a cloth, being careful not to touch each other , and then cover them with another cloth.

Again, remember to turn them every 24/48 hours.

Plastic bags for quick maturation

If you need to ripen your fruit particularly quickly, the trick is to store them in plastic food bags.

In a hermetically sealed environment the fruits will ripen in 2 or 3 days; therefore, they must be kept an eye on to avoid the risk of them breaking down. Better not to put more than 3 or 4 fruits in the same bag, to leave them space and prevent them from touching each other.

Use ripe fruit

Each of these methods will give results faster if you add ripe apples or pears to your unripe fruit . Being rich in ethylene, the gas they produce will also end up affecting nearby fruits, accelerating the ripening process.

If you use this "shortcut", don't forget to check the fruit often, to avoid finding yourself with rotten bananas or peaches!

Choose your favorite home-delivered fruit on and follow these tips to always keep it fresh and good!