Fruit Ripening & Picking Guides

Apples

Color When Ripe: red, yellow, green, or a combination of colors
Feel & Texture When Ripe: hard to the touch, but is crisp and juicy inside
Taste & Smell When Ripe: texture is not mealy or astringent, flavour is sweet and sour, apples should be tasty – test often!
Underripe if…very difficult to remove or twist from the tree, small in size (less than 2in diameter), seeds are still white/ light in color
Overripe if…flesh becomes brown and/or mushy

If picking by hand, turn fruit upside down & twist. Use picking poles with larger trees.
Never force or pull apples off the tree. Apples bruise very easily so be gentle when placing the apples into their storage containers.

Room temperature: Apples store for a long time at room temperature (out of direct sunlight)
Fridge: Apples can pick up other food flavours in the fridge, so keep them separate in the crisper drawer
Freezer: Wash, peel, core, and slice apples. Freeze on a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag or container. Best used for baking and cooking, and can be used without thawing. Apple sauces and juice can also be frozen. Use within 6 months.

Eating fresh; add to salads; baking; sauces; cider/juice; apple butter; dehydrated fruit leather