Are fresher fruits tastier? Not necessarily. Some fruits aren't at their best right after being bought or picked. Professor Feng Shuangqing, an expert in fruit and vegetable storage at the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering at China Agricultural University, told reporters from the Life Times that this is because some fruits become soft immediately upon ripening, making them impossible to transport and store. Therefore, they must be picked in a "rock-hard" state before they are fully ripe to be safely transported to supermarkets. Which fruits should you wait to eat? Life Times tells you.
Kiwi
Lightly press the two ends of the kiwi with your fingertip. If it no longer feels hard, the pressed area shows slight deformation but is not very soft, this is the optimal state for eating a kiwi. Among fruit farmers, there's a saying about kiwis: "Soft in 3 days, rotten in 7, half spoiled in half a month." Therefore, when buying, choose kiwis that are firm and free from mechanical damage. However, rock-hard kiwis are not tasty; they have low sugar content, the fruit is sour and astringent, and it can feel prickly because the fruit contains a large amount of protease, which breaks down the proteins on the tongue and oral mucosa, causing discomfort. At room temperature, a kiwi will generally soften in about 3 days, reaching its optimal eating state. To speed up ripening, you can place the kiwi with a ripe banana. The natural ripening gas "ethylene" released by the ripe fruit will "contaminate" the kiwi and promote its ripening. If you want to store it longer, you can put the kiwi in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, as low temperatures can slow down its ripening process.
Banana
When the peel is completely yellow and it has a rich fruity aroma, the banana is at its best. However, bananas turn black easily, so it's better to buy them slightly unripe. Generally, bananas with a "green shoulder" can be eaten in 1-2 days when stored at room temperature. To speed up ripening, place them with a ripe apple. If you want to store them longer, you can hang them to ensure good ventilation, which allows the produced ethylene to disperse with the wind, slowing down the banana's aging.
South Pear
Lightly press the South Pear with your finger. If you can feel it is elastic and it smells strongly of wine, this is the best time to eat it. The South Pear has a distinct "post-ripening" characteristic; it needs over a week of natural fermentation after being picked to reach its best state. It should be noted that when storing South Pears, the plastic bag should not be tied too tightly; leave a "breathing opening" for the fruit to maintain its "activity." Placing the South Pear in the refrigerator's crisper drawer can slow down the fruit's respiration and keep it fresh.
Persimmon
"Soft" and "not astringent" are important signs of a ripe persimmon, but such persimmons are not suitable for picking, transportation, and storage. Unripe persimmons contain a large amount of soluble tannin, which has a strong astringency. It stimulates the nerve endings in the mouth, causing a "astringent" sensation. If a raw persimmon is isolated from the air, acetaldehyde, acetone, and other organic substances will be produced inside. These substances can turn the water-soluble tannin into a substance that is difficult to dissolve in water, making the persimmon non-astringent to eat. Therefore, place raw persimmons in a plastic bag, tie the opening tightly, and after a few days, they will be de-astringent and become fragrant and sweet.
Avocado
Press and捏 the surface of the avocado with your hand. If it feels elastic and the flesh is firm, it means the avocado is ripe. The more dark brown spots on the green surface, the riper the avocado. However, if the peel is mostly covered by light and dark brown spots, it is not recommended to buy it, as it may be overripe and spoiled. If you are not eating it on the same day, it is advisable to buy a relatively unripe avocado. Such a fruit will naturally ripen in 2-3 days at room temperature, and a ripe avocado can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week.