Ripeness Guide | Vital Pantry

- RIPENESS GUIDE -

It's not always easy to know when fruit is ready to eat, especially with our Zotty's. The guide below will show you how to consume your fruit at their best and give a little more guidance on how to keep them fresh.

Atemoya

Ripe once it shows signs of softness to light pressure and the skin has darker green or brown patches.

Keep at room temperature away from sunlight and heat. Once ripe you can keep in the fridge.

Seeds are inedible.

Banana, Apple

Ripe once the skin is yellow with brown/black spots or patches on.

Keep at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

Coconut, Green

The water inside will be ready to drink. Even if the coconut shows signs of age, the inside is usually fine so long as it has not penetrated the inner shell.

Keep upright with the “hat” facing upwards.

Coconut, Thai Shaved

Ready to drink and eat. Water and meat are usually fine inside even when showing small signs of mould.

Keep in the dark or in the fridge.

Cherimoya

Ripe once showing signs of softness and dark green.

Keep at room temperature away from Sunlight and heat. Once ripe you can store in the fridge.

Seeds are inedible.

Dates, Medjool

Ready to eat.

Always open and check the inside as some of the dates will show signs of black inside meaning unable to eat.

Granadilla

Ripe once a bright orange colour all round and shell is slightly softer.

Keep in the fridge until ready to eat. The inside can also be frozen. Scoop out the inside into a container and place in the freezer.

Guava

Ripe once colour starts to go from bright green to a softer yellow.

Keep at room temperature until ripe then place in the crisper drawer. Will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Jackfruit

Ripe when the fruit is showing signs of softness and giving off a strong smell.

Open and eat the yellow bulbs of flesh, avoiding the stringy whitish parts.

Lime, Key

Will start off green in colour and are ripe when they begin to turn yellow.

Store at room temperature until ripe. Then use or place in the fridge.

Litchee, Chinese

Best when giving back pressure once squeezed, indicating the juice inside.

Store in the fridge. Once hard they are over ripe.

Do not eat seeds.

Mango

Once the fruit shows signs of softness and smell it is ready to eat.

Keep at room temperature away from sunlight until ripe. Then eat or place in the fridge.

Melon, Pepino

Watch as the white/green begins to turn more cream/yellow when ripe.

Keep at room temperature. Once ripe, place in the fridge to extend life for 3-4 days.

Mangosteen

Fresh when the shell is red/purple. Ripe when this colour or a darker purple/brown. Best to eat when showing a little softness when pressure is applied.

Always store in the fridge.

Seeds are edible.

Papaya, Paw Paw

Starting out green and firm, will become a golden/orangey colour once ripe and will give to light pressure.

Store at room temperature. Once cut, store in the fridge.

Pear, Mountain

Best when showing the slightest amount of give once pressure is applied.

Should be crisp and juicy when bitten into.

Pineapple

Skin will go a golden, light brown colour and give off a sweet scent.

Once opened, seal in a container and store in the fridge or even the freezer for smoothies.

Pitaya, Red