Ripening Guide
__________________________________________________________________________
Tropical Fruit ripens best in warm temperatures. If you have received fruit that has not ripened and you wish to speed up the ripening process, we recommend to either put your fruit in paper bags or wrapped in a kitchen towel and placed in a dry, warm area. Alternatively, you may also place your fruit outside in the sun (in an area mindful of bugs) which will also speed up the ripening process.
**We recommend consuming your fruit at optimal ripeness. While some fruits are wonderful to be enjoyed unripe, please refer to our guide below to know when your fruit is prime and ready for eating. Please note that some fruits are shipped ripe and are ready to eat upon delivery. This too, will be noted below. Thank you for your support. Enjoy!**
__________________________________________________________________________
Atemoya
Atemoya will arrive hard and unripe.
Similar to a Cherimoya, when ripe it will become soft to the touch and when cut open will have a white thick and creamy texture. Be careful withe the seeds! You will consume the flesh around them.
Avocado
Avocados will arrive hard and unripe.
When ripe it will become soft to the touch, and when cut open will have a creamy texture.
Banana
Your banana will arrive green and unripe.
Wait until the skin is yellow with brown/black spots which is when it is at its optimal ripeness.
Black Sapote
Black Sapote arrives hard and unripe.
The fruit is at optimal ripeness when very soft to the touch and the green skin has turned a bit dark brown. When cut open, there will be a rich dark chocolate pudding like color. The skin can be eaten if chosen to, or you can use a spoon and scoop out the fruit.
Cacao
Cacao arrives ready to eat. For extended shelf life, store in the refrigerator.
Crack the shell and suck the white flesh surrounding the bean. Some like to consume the bean, while others may find it bitter. Please be advised that each bean is packed with a lot of caffeine, so it is best not to eat too many at a time.
__________________________________________________________________________
Cherimoya
Cherimoya is delivered unripe.
The fruit is ripe when it is soft to the touch and an imprint is left when pressure is applied to it. The color of the skin may darken slightly.
The most common way to consume it is to break it open and eat the white fleshy part.
The seeds are inedible.
Citrus
All citrus is shipped ripe and ready to eat as they are picked ripe from the trees.
Citrus can be cut in half or sliced, as preferred. It may be consumed alone or along with juices or smoothies, or added to dishes such as salads.
__________________________________________________________________________
Custard Apple
Custard apple is shipped unripe.
It is ready when soft to the touch, similar to soursop and cherimoya. Do not refrigerate before it is ripe as this will affect the ripening process.
It can be broken apart with your hands or a knife can be used to slice it open.
The seeds are not edible.
Dragon Fruit
Dragonfruit is picked ripe, therefore ready to consume upon arrival. For an extended shelf life, we recommend to put it in the fridge.
The easiest way to eat this fruit is to slice it in half and enjoy it with a spoon. The seeds are edible, crunchy and satisfying.
EggFruit
We ship our egg fruit unripe.
When ripe, the fruit will be soft to the touch and easily broken with your hands. The texture will be that of a boiled egg yolk with the flavor of cake.
Feijola
Feijola is shipped mature and ready to consume.
The texture of Feijola is similar to a mix between Guava and Fig. You may bite into the fruit and consume the skin and tiny edible seeds.
__________________________________________________________________________
Galanga
Very similar to ginger, galanga is shipped mature and ready to consume.
This root may be used in several dishes such as soups or enjoyed as a tea.
Ginger Root
Ginger is shipped mature and ready to consume.
It can be used in several dishes and drinks as well as added to tea. Simply grate or slice the root and use as you please.
Governors Plum
Governors Plum is shipped ripe and ready to eat.
To consume, simply roll the fruit around in the palm of your hand to soften the flesh on the inside. The fruit can be consumed whole along with its crunchy seeds.
Hog Plum
Hog plum is shipped unripe, but may ripen during transit.
The fruit may be consumed ripe or unripe dependent on if one prefers a more bitter taste or sweet. The plum's skin will turn from a deep glossy green to bright red in color when ripe.
The skin and flesh may be consumed, as the seed is inedible.
Jack Fruit
Jack fruit is shipped under ripe and will begin to ripen during transit. It may or may not arrive soft enough to eat raw.
The fruit may consumed many ways. Some rather cook the fruit in a wide array of dishes, while others simply consume the fruit raw as nature intended. The choice is yours, however we do recommend cutting this large fruit with some olive oil handy as it assists with removing the sticky sap.
__________________________________________________________________________
Jujube
Jujube is shipped ripe and ready to eat. Jujube is similar to a tiny apple in texture with a pit in the center similar to an olive pit.
Jujube will change color from green to reds as it ripens, and can be eaten at any point depending on how sweet you prefer it. Jujube can also be dried, and is sometimes used in a similar fashion to dates.
June Plum
June plum is picked underripe and should arrive green and hard.
Some people prefer this fruit underripe and eaten as a vegetable with salt. Alternatively, it can be left on the counter to ripen over a few days. The skin will turn yellow and it will become sweeter and more tender.
Key Lime
Key limes are shipped ripe and ready to consume.
They are typically picked green for a longer shelf life, and turn yellow and become more sweet and juicy as they ripen.
Longan
Longan arrives ripe and ready to eat.
Crack the light brown shell and consume the transparent flesh around the dark inedible seed.
Lychee
Lychee is picked off the tree ripe and ready to eat, therefore it will arrive in its optimal state to consume.
Just like longan you will crack the outer shell and consume the fleshy part around the inedible seed.
Mamey
Your mamey will arrive unripe and hard.
As it ripens, the fruit will become soft to the touch.
When you are ready to eat, cut length wise and remove the large brown inedible seed and enjoy. The skin is not consumed.
Mammee Apple
Although Mammee apple is a berry, the texture is more like a drupe. Mammee apple is shipped hard and unripe, but will ripen during transit.
Mammee Apple is ready to eat once you are able to slightly imprint it with your finger, almost like a sapodilla. The rind (skin) is a little thick and can be peeled off. The orange flesh inside is consumed, the large pit is not.
Mango
Mango is picked slightly under ripe and will ripen during transit.
Mango will be ready to eat once it is fragrant, has softened to the touch, and changed color. Depending on the variety of mango, some will change color more than others.
Some people enjoy mango underripe, while others allow the fruit to ripen fully to enjoy the full sweetness. Mango skin is edible however only some people enjoy it.
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa is shipped as it is ripening.
It is important to remember to only consume monstera delicious once the green scales start to fall off on their own. If you have to use force to remove a Cale, that part of the fruit is not ripe. Consuming the fruit unripe may irritate the mouth or throat.
Once the scales have fallen off, the inside of the fruit will look similar to a corn cob. The little black dots may feel uncomfortable to consume but they are edible. If you don't care for them, remove them before eating.
Papaya
Papaya is shipped hard and unripe and may begin to ripen during transit time.
When unripe the skin is green and once ripe the skin will turn from yellow to orange in color.
Some may prefer to consume the papaya when unripe and green in dishes such as papaya salads, however some may prefer to consume the papaya once it has reached full ripeness, when the skin is orange and slightly soft to the touch. It is completely normal for the skin to slightly mold. (after all, it is organic!) Unless the mold forms a deep hole into the fruit, the inside is not affected.
The papaya can be sliced in half and the sweet, orange flesh can be scooped out with a spoon. The spicy peppercorn-like seeds of the papaya are edible, however they are not to be eaten in excess. Consuming a few seeds are said to kill off parasites within the body.
Passion Fruit
Passion fruit is shipped hard and unripe.
It is ripe when the outer shell becomes wrinkled and soft to the touch.
The best way to consume this is to slice it open and scoop out the pulp.
The seeds are edible.
The papaya can be sliced in half and the sweet, orange flesh can be scooped out with a spoon. The spicy peppercorn-like seeds of the papaya are edible, however they are not to be eaten in excess. Consuming a few seeds are said to kill off parasites within the body.
Pepino
Pepino is shipped hard and unripe.
This refreshing fruit goes from green to yellow as it ripens and develops bold purple stripes.
Similar to cucumber (although it is classified as a melon) the skin and seeds are edible, however you may remove them both if it is your preference.
__________________________________________________________________________
Persimmon
Persimmon is shipped hard and unripe.
It is ripe when it feels soft to the touch on the outside. The softer (or squishier) it feels, the sweeter it will be.
The best way to consume persimmon is when it is ripe! Slice it open and scoop out the pulp.
Pineapple
Pineapple is shipped unripe, but may ripen during transit.
Pineapple is consumed in different ways. Some prefer crunchy, less acidic pineapple. If that is your preference, you will consume right away. If you prefer sweet and sour, you will wait until you can smell the pineapple from the outside. If it makes your mouth water, its ready!
Remove the outer rind of the pineapple by cutting vertically. Please note that the center core of the fruit is the toughest, and isn't necessarily eaten.
Pink Guava
Pink guava is shipped unripe and will arrive green and hard.
When ripe, the skin will change in color to yellow and the fruit will become very fragrant. At this time it will also be soft enough to break open with your hands.
The seeds are hard to chew, but edible.
Rambutan
Rambutan is ready to eat ripe upon arrival. For an extended shelf life, store in the refrigerator.
Break the hairy skin and eat the inner white flesh that surrounds the seed. It is not advisable to eat the seed.
Due to oxidation the outer shell will darker in color but this does not affect the fruit inside.
Rollinia
Rollinia is shipped unripe and may ripen during transit time.
This fruit must be consumed once ripe. The skin will begin to turn yellow, develop dark spots, and become very soft to the touch. Once ready, it may be sliced in half and the translucent, juicy flesh may be scooped out with a spoon.
The seeds are not to be consumable, but if in a tropical climate, you may plant them :)
Rose Apple
Rose is picked and shipped ripe, and will continue to ripen during transit.
The fruit increases in fragrance and sweetness as it ripens. You may consume the fruit and its skin, but not the inedible seed.
__________________________________________________________________________
Sapodilla/Nisberry
The fruit arrives unripe.
Over a few days, the fruit will ripen and become soft enough to break with your hands and enjoy. Inside will be soft with a very sweet, rich flavor.
Seeds are inedible.
Soursop
The fruit is ripe when it is soft to the touch and an imprint is left when pressure is applied to it. The color of the skin may darken slightly.
The most common way is to eat soursop is to break it open and consume the white flesh, not eating the seeds inside.
Sprouted Coconut
Sprouted cocos arrive pre husked and ready to eat.
To get to the spongy inner core, drop the nut on a concrete surface until it cracks or alternatively hit with a hammer or tool similar to it. Enjoy the white spongy mass inside.
Star Apple
Star Apple is picked ripe, is ready to eat upon arrival.
Cut it open and scoop out the milky inside with a spoon when ready to consume. The purple/green skin is not consumed. If you do not plan to consume it immediately, it is recommended that it is put in the refrigerator.
The seeds are not edible.
Star Fruit
Star Fruit is picked and shipped when it is green. During transit it may begin to ripen.
The fruit is ripe when the fruit turns yellow and softens. This fruit can be enjoyed at any ripeness level, when it is green it is like a tart apple or when its yellow it's much sweeter and juicy.
Sugar Apple
Sugar apple is shipped hard and under ripe.
This fruit may only be consumed once it has become soft. Sometimes it will actually open on it's own exposing its sugary flesh.
Only the interior flesh surrounding the seeds is edible.
Sugar Cane
Sugar Cane is shipped ready to consume.
This super sweet fibrous cane needs to have its skin peeled to chew and enjoy. Similar to chewing gum, the fiber is to be spit out after all the juice is gone. Alternatively, the juice can be pressed out of the cane, which is commonly known as guarapo.
Tree Tomato
Tree tomato AKA tamarillo is shipped slightly under ripe.
When you receive your package it is usually ripe and ready. Some individuals may prefer the fruit slightly more ripe, in that case allow it to soften on a counter for a few days.
Turmeric Root
Turmeric is shipped mature and ready to consume.
Similar to ginger, it may simply be grated or sliced into your favorite dishes, drinks and teas.
Wax Jambu
Wax Jambu is shipped ripe and ready to consume.
It can simply be eaten whole like an apple, or used sliced in salads.
White Sapote
White Sapote is shipped hard and unripe.
It will be soft to the touch when ripe. It is not common to eat the skin of the fruit unless is it so ripe the skin is fragile and slides off with the flesh. The more fragile the skin and soft (squishy) the fruit the sweeter it is. To eat, cut open the fruit and scoop out the flesh. The seeds are moderately large and not to be eaten.