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It's Xmas Eve and the only strawberries in the shops were not quite ripe. I've got guests tomorrow at lunch and I've got to ripen these overnight!

Strawberries are classically considered non-climacteric fruits so are not supposed to ripen once removed from the plant. But clearly the white parts of the berries do get redder after picking (1). And apparently ethylene is released by the fruit, and is involved in signalling pathways (2) so the situation is not as clear as was once thought.

So, am I wasting my time placing a banana and some kiwi fruit next to my nearly ripe strawberries, and covering them with paper to trap any ethylene, to see if I can at least hasten some parts of the ripening process overnight?

banana and strawberries

  1. That's a Berry Good Question – Strawberry Ripening after Harvest?
  2. Ethylene is involved in strawberry fruit ripening in an organ-specific manner.
J. Musser
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Graham Chiu
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    I'm voting to close this question as off topic because it's not about the plants. I suggest migration to [Seasoned Advice](http://cooking.stackexchange.com/) – J. Musser Dec 24 '16 at 20:05
  • It was a Seasonal question, and I wasn't really expecting a definitive answer since research is still ongoing! – Graham Chiu Dec 24 '16 at 22:28
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    Bananas and apples! Otherwise, change what you want to do for your dessert, Aren't you nibbling on these? They look stunningly yummy. Beautiful. I for one would love to hear what you are preparing for dinner!! I think that there is a rare question that shouldn't be on this site. Questions will always flow over into culinary, construction and many many other forums...gardening is so inclusive. Sorry, J. Grins.!! Tell us what you are doing with these berries and KIWI...? Super combination btw. When they taste like you expect get them back in the fridge! Have a wonderful xmas dinner! – stormy Dec 24 '16 at 22:57
  • @stormy see here in chat http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/546/the-garden-shed :) – Graham Chiu Dec 24 '16 at 23:22

2 Answers2

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You did exactly what I would have recommended. Very ripe bananas especially. I'd enclose them together with the strawberries in a paper bag, close it off with very little airspace, and keep it at at least 75 degrees.

Sometimes, however, the ripe part of a strawberry can overripen and begin to decay while part of that same fruit is still white. More common with pointed berries picked near the beginning of the ripening process. I doubt that'll happen in your case. There's only so much you can do. If you're serving them whole, you may have to pick out a couple just before, if they don't ripen fast enough.

Also, where it's white by the stem is not a sign of unripeness (like white on the pointy end is). It's a sign of poor internal coloring, common in berries bred for shipping more than fresh use.

J. Musser
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You may induce some color change, and reduce the water content somewhat, which can make the flavor slightly sweeter, but strawberries, unlike most fruits, do NOT ripen after they are picked. They must be picked when they are fully ripe for best texture and flavor.

yowser7
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