HARVESTING OF FRUITS
It is very important that
the fruits are harvested on time and at
the proper stage of maturity in order to
maintain their nutrients level as well as
their quality and freshness. Factors that
favor preserving quality and nutrients are
rapid harvesting, preferably done early
in the day; prompt cooling; gentle treatment;
and proper storage if the fruit is not used
immediately. Of the fruits that store well,
only those that grown-up in late fall, such
as apples, pears, and grapes, should be
measured for home storage. The other kinds
of fruits must be stored for small periods
of time only, or preserved for winter use
by canning, freezing, or drying.
Here are certain fruits are given wiht their
harvesting details and the following fruits
may be with the same quality as fresh if
they are being kept under the refrigeration
cool of about 35 to 40oF.
Small Fruits
Blackberries
Fruit grows dull black color with plump,
juicy fruit lets as it ripens; fruits soften
and develop feature flavor. You need to
harvest every 2 to 3 days. Cool it immediately,
use within 3 to 5 days. Store
in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Currants
Mature fruit would soften slightly, become
juicy, and develop with an intense color.
For jelly, harvest before totally ripe.
Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Elderberries
Harvest when fruit is plump, color changing
from shiny to dull purple and just start
to be soft. You must use within 3 to 5 days.
Gooseberries
Harvest when fruit color changes to light
green. Some varieties might have pink blush.
Pick when berries are still firm; it could
be stored for 2 weeks.
Grapes
A characteristic flavor and aroma grows
as fruit matures. Color might even develop
earlier so color alone is not a guide. As
grapes mature, sugar content increases and
bunch stems turn from green to brown. Remove
clusters with scissors or with hand shears.
Store in refrigerator up to 2 months before
consumption.
Raspberries
Ripe raspberries grow full color and divide
easily from vine. Harvest fruit as it ripens,
every 2 to 3 days. Pick by softly lifting
berries with thumb or finger. Cool it immediately;
consume within 3 to 5 days.
Strawberries
Fully ripe strawberries are a consistently
red in color, and firm but beginning to
alleviate slightly. Harvest with green caps
on to retain firmness and quality-pinch
stem off about 1/4 inch over cap. Refrigerate
it immediately; consume within 2 to 5 days.
You can select soft berries for immediate
use.
Tree Fruits
Apples
Sample for characteristic flavor and smell
as fruit begins to change color. The under
color (green, immature color) would change
to light green or to cream. Yellow or golden
varieties grow golden surface color when
ripening. Some varieties release from tree
simply as they begin to ripen and must all
be picked; other varieties could be picked
as they mature. Fruit would continue to
ripen after picking. Store in refrigerator
1 to 6 months before usage.
Apricots
Harvest as fruit begins to soften and
grow characteristic flavor. Handle cautiously
to prevent bruising. Cool it immediately;
store up to 2 weeks. Fruit would continue
to ripen after picking.
Cherry
Mature fruit is juicy, rather soft and
full-flavored. Quality holds superior if
picked with stems on. Cool it immediately
after harvesting; store up to 2 weeks.
Peaches
Taste fruit for characteristic flavor
and aroma. Fruit softens and becomes luscious
as it ripens; ground color (immature, green
color) changes to light green or cream.
Fruit would continue to ripen even after
picking. Handle fruit cautiously to avoid
bruising. Cool it immediately after harvest;
store up to 2 weeks.
Pears
Pears must be picked before they are tree-ripe;
however, harvesting too early would result
in bad flavor and shriveling in storage.
Harvest just as pear flavor and aroma could
also be detected when sampling, and small
spots on fruit surface change from white
to brownish color. Pears harvested after
best time would have some stone cells and
bad flavor. Fruit would continue to ripen
even after picking. Storage life is 1 to
3 months.
Plums
Fruit softens and develops characteristic
flavor as it ripens. Color might indicate
beginning of ripening, but is not a good
quality guide. Handle it gently; cool after
harvest. Fruit would continue to ripen even
after picking. Store up to 2 weeks. |