Can/do apples and pears ripen?
It seems to me that apples and pears are pretty much hard for a long time. Does it make sense to speak of some point at which they are ripe and best for eating?
And if they do ever ripen, how do I tell when they are ripe?
Best Answer
Ripe pears range from as firm as soft wood (think balsa) to as soft as a sponge when ripe, depending on the variety. If your store-bought pears are hard for more than a week, then you bought ones which were picked too young and will never really ripen. This is a common issue with supermarket produce.
Ripe apples are generally always firm, even when ripe. Soft apples are generally rotten, except for a few varieties which are primarily meant for cooking into sauce or fillings. This makes it more complicated to tell when they are ripe.
Both apples and pears ripen much more slowly when refrigerated. Most fruit will ripen faster when put in an enclosed space with ripening apples, including other apples.
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Quick Answer about "Can/do apples and pears ripen?"
Unlike apples, most pear varieties do not ripen with good quality while still on the tree. Pears that are allowed to become too mature or to ripen on the tree develop a coarse, mealy texture and often have core breakdown.Can you ripen an apple?
Unlike some fruits, apples continue to ripen long after they are picked off the tree. This ripening (or over-ripening affects the texture not the taste of the fruit. (ie. They won't get sweeter just softer).Do apples and pears ripen after picking?
If you were to pick the fruit before the seed is mature, the fruit will not continue to ripen. The fruit pleases your palate. Hey, there's no substitute for your taste. If you like it, then it's ready!What is the fastest way to ripen a pear?
The fastest method: Paper bag and ripe apples Place the pears in a paper bag, throw in a couple of ripe apples and set aside. Ethylene gas will naturally be emitted by the ripe apples, causing the pears to ripen much faster in 1-3 days.Why Some Fruits Won’t Ripen On Your Counter
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