The process of accelerating the maturation of a tropical fruit, often green and firm when harvested, to achieve optimal edibility is a common practice. The goal is to transform the fruit to a state where its flesh becomes softer, sweeter, and more flavorful. Example: Placing the unripe fruit in a paper bag helps to expedite this softening process.
This endeavor is important because it allows for consumption of fruit that may have been picked prematurely to facilitate transportation or storage. Furthermore, it minimizes food waste by enabling the use of fruit that would otherwise be discarded due to its initial lack of palatability. Historically, various techniques have been employed to encourage fruit maturation, often relying on naturally occurring gases like ethylene.
