Ever brought home a rock-hard avocado and waited days for it to soften into buttery perfection? Or bitten into a sour strawberry and wished you’d eaten it sooner? That’s the difference between climacteric and non-climacteric produce—aka the stuff that keeps ripening after harvest, and the stuff that doesn’t.
Understanding the difference can help you shop smarter, reduce food waste, and make the most of your produce drawer. Here’s a quick breakdown:
It’ll Get Better If You Let It Sit:
Fruits & Veggies That Ripen After Picking (Climacteric Produce)
These items continue to ripen—and often sweeten—after they’ve been harvested. That means you can buy them a little underripe and give them a few days at room temp to mellow out.
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Tomatoes
- Pears
- Peaches
- Plums
- Nectarines
- Kiwis
- Mangoes
- Apples (they soften a bit, but don’t get much sweeter)
- Melons (like cantaloupe and honeydew—but not watermelon!)
- Plantains
- Papayas
- Passionfruit
Pro Tip: Store climacteric fruits in a paper bag to speed up ripening. Just don’t forget about them—they go from perfect to past-their-prime fast.
Don’t Wait Too Long:
Fruits & Veggies That Stop Ripening After Picking (Non-Climacteric Produce)
These foods are harvested at peak ripeness, and what you see is what you get. No amount of countertop waiting will make them sweeter or softer—so choose carefully and enjoy them fresh.
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- Grapes
- Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes)
- Cherries
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Pomegranates
- Cucumbers
- Bell Peppers
- Eggplant
- Zucchini & Summer Squash
- Green Beans
- Lettuce & Leafy Greens
- Corn (its natural sugars turn starchy the longer it sits)
Pro Tip: Non-climacteric produce won’t ripen after harvest, so we make sure it’s ready to eat before it leaves the farm. Once it arrives, dig in—no waiting required.
Knowing the difference can help you cut down on food waste and plan your meals more effectively. Grab underripe avocados early in the week and berries closer to the day you’ll eat them. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your grocery haul go further.
Need Ideas for What to Make?
Whether you’ve got underripe avocados or a ripe-now pineapple, we’ve got recipes to help you use up every last bite. Check out these ideas for inspiration based on what’s in your kitchen.
