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Things to look for in peaches
· Color is the first thing to look for in finding a good peach. Many people think that feel is the best test. To find a rip peach look for peaches that have a lot of gold color in the peach (fig. 1.1). If the whole peach is gold with some red it will be riper than a peach that has little to no yellow and a lot of red (fig.1.2).

Cherries, there is not a lot to be said about Cherries. If they look ripe they most likely will be ripe, the best way to find cherries is to taste. Always be sure that your fruit is clean and safe to eat.

We will talk about more fruit as it become ripe.
Nectarines
Apples
Blueberries
Melons
Pears

 

Fig. 1.1 This is a ripe peach, you can see the gold color.

Fig 1.2 This peach has little gold color and is very green.

Pears
Pears, Bartlett. Pears are one of the few fruits that do not ripen successfully on the tree. They are harvested by hand when they reach full maturity but before they are ripe. Pears will ripen after they are harvested. Choose a Bartlett that is bright and fresh looking with no bruises or external damage. A Bartlett will change color as it ripens.
*Store unripe pears in a warm place outside of the refrigerator in a fruit bowl or in a paper bag. Check daily for ripeness. Store ripe pears in the coldest part of the refrigerator.

Pears, Anjou/Bosc/Comice/Seckel/red pears. Pears are on of the few fruits that do not ripen successfully on the tree. They are harvested by hand when they reach full maturity but before they are ripe. Pears will ripen after they harvested. Choose a pear that is bright and fresh looking with no bruises or external damage. Pears other than Bartletts do not dramatically change color as they ripen. Test for ripeness by pressing gently near the stem, if it gives to gentle pressure it is sweet juicy and ready to eat. Because pears ripen from the inside out, ripe fruit will give gently to gentle pressure near the stem. Waiting until pears are soft around the middle may indicate over ripeness. Store unripe pears in a warm place outside of the refrigerator in a fruit bowl or in a paper bag. Check daily for ripeness.
*Store ripe pears in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Pears are an ethylene producer. Avoid long term storage next to ethylene sensitive produce. (See ethylene sensitive section) Pears produce odors which may be absorbed by cabbage, carrots, celery, onions and potatoes. Pears may also absorb odors produced by onions and potatoes. Take care not to store pears next to these items

Blueberries
Blueberries. Look for plump berries with a fresh appearance and good color and a silvery bloom. Berries with a reddish tint at the stem end may not be fully ripe. Berries do not ripen after harvest Avoid shriveled or decayed berries and those containers that are wet with juice. Blueberries which have been exposed to higher than recommended temperature will become rough textured.
*Store in the refrigerator in the original container. Do not wash them until you are ready to use them. Use in 1 to 2 days for best results. Blueberries are susceptible to freeze damage.

Source: Pear Bureau Northwest

 

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