Non-Climacteric Fruit

Definition

A non-climacteric fruit is one that does not ripen much after picking, such as lemon, pineapple and cherry. It is essentially at its best when harvested, so it can lose quality on your counter but will not become sweeter. This makes choosing well at the market important: a pale, hard pineapple will not turn into a sweet one by sitting at home. Citrus generally keeps longer in the refrigerator. See also: Climacteric fruit, Ripening, Acidity, and the guide "How to Choose Ripe Yellow Fruit at the Market".