The Magic Trick to Ripen Green Fruit Without Chemicals

With a few simple tricks, you can turn unripe, green fruit into ripe, juicy treats without the use of chemicals. All it takes is a little creativity and some common household items to speed up the ripening process safely and effectively.

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It’s not always possible to buy ripe fruit from the market or supermarket. These simple tips can help ripen fruit quickly and safely.

Simple Tips to Ripen Fruit

Try these safe and effective methods to ripen fruit to perfection, without the worry of harmful chemicals.

Use Paper Bags


Placing fruit inside a paper bag helps it ripen faster. (Image: Parade)

One of the most popular and effective ways to ripen fruit is by using paper bags. This method works by trapping ethylene, a natural gas emitted by fruit during the ripening process, which accelerates ripening.

Place the unripe fruit in a paper bag, fold over the top to prevent the natural ethylene gas from escaping, and keep the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Check the fruit daily to see if it has ripened. Usually, after 1-3 days, the fruit will start to ripen, at which point it should be transferred to the refrigerator to halt the ripening process.

Use Incense Smoke

This is an age-old folk technique. Fruit, when exposed to incense smoke over a period of time, will ripen faster due to the stimulation of ethylene production.

You can place unripe fruit in large buckets or basins, light incense sticks, and cover the container. Once the incense has burned out, remove the cover and let the fruit ripen. This method is useful when you want to ripen a large quantity of fruit.

Use Ripe Apples or Bananas


Bananas release ethylene more potent than other fruits, so placing a ripe banana with unripe fruit will speed up the ripening process. (Image: Simply Recipes)

A great tip to ripen fruit is to use other ripe fruits. To speed up the ripening process, place unripe fruit in a paper or plastic bag along with a ripe apple or banana. These fruits emit ethylene more potent than others, accelerating the ripening process.

Use a Rice Container

All types of rice are good at trapping ethylene gas. As the fruit ripens, the flesh emits ethylene, a colorless, odorless hydrocarbon gas that promotes aging and ripening.

Bury the unripe fruit in the rice container. The closed container not only traps ethylene gas but also maintains a warmer temperature, helping the fruit ripen faster.

Additionally, you can expose the fruit to direct sunlight for a few hours each day or place it near a heat source, being careful not to damage the fruit.

Precautions When Ripening Fruit at Home

Not all fruits are suitable for these ripening methods. Avocados, papayas, bananas, persimmons, melons, mangoes, peaches, pears, plums, pineapples, tomatoes, and custard apples respond well to these techniques.

However, apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, watermelons, oranges, lemons, tangerines, and grapefruits should not be ripened using these methods. These fruits need to ripen on the vine, so they are harvested when ripe and stored at the right temperature. It is best to refrigerate these fruits after purchase.

Source: VTC News

Frequently asked questions

Place the fruit in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple. The ethylene gas emitted by these fruits will speed up the ripening process. For faster results, add a second fruit or use a glass container instead of a paper bag.

Ripe bananas and apples produce ethylene gas, which is a natural plant hormone that triggers the ripening process in many types of fruit. By containing the gas in a paper bag or glass container, the concentration of ethylene increases, accelerating the ripening of the green fruit.

This method works well with a variety of fruits, including avocados, kiwis, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears, and tomatoes. It’s a great way to ripen fruit that would normally take a long time to ripen naturally, or to speed up the process when you want to enjoy your fruit sooner.

The time can vary depending on the type of fruit and its initial ripeness. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Check the fruit regularly to ensure it doesn’t over-ripen, especially in a warm environment where the process may be faster.

Yes, another natural method is to place the fruit in a bowl of uncooked rice. The rice helps absorb moisture and can speed up ripening. You can also place the fruit in direct sunlight for a few hours, as the warmth and light can encourage ripening. However, be cautious with this method as too much direct sunlight can cause the fruit to spoil.

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