Ripe-harvested produce is the gold standard for ripeness. Ripeness is the result of full maturity which, when compared to the unripe state, is typically but not always indicated by:
- reaching full size
- softening of flesh
- falling from the tree / plant (for non-climacteric fruit)
- changes in:
- flesh colour
- skin hue / colour
- loss of:
- increase in:
- decrease in or loss of: