Fruit From Washington

Harvest & Storage Seasons and Fruit Ripening Tips

Apple Ripening Tips | Pear Ripening Tips |

Harvest and Storage Season

Each variety of fruit has its own harvest and storage season. Fruit is harvested based on internal pressure. As it ripens on the tree, the sugar content increases (i.e. the flavor) and the internal pressure decreases. We monitor the pressure of the fruit to pick it at the optimal time to assure the best flavor and longest storage capacity.

We can make the claim that the quality of fruit reflects the geography of the land where it is grown. We might say, "flat land, flat flavor...high land, high sugar content, crisp flavor." Because our orchards are located at a higher elevation, on the slope of the Manastash Ridge, we have the benefit of sweeter, crisper, mountain quality fruit.

Box of Winter Bananas

Our summer days average about ten degrees cooler than at lower elevations while our winter and spring days average about ten degrees warmer. This results in apples and pears with more "crunch" and flavor. Eberhart orchard high quality fruit combined with careful harvest, sorting, packing and storage mean that you receive the best Washington apples and pears throughout the year.

Our Green Bartlett pears are generally ready to harvest during the last week in August and first week of September. Labor Day Weekend is aptly named at Eberhart orchards as all hands contribute to the harvest effort.

Within hours of harvest our fruit is transported to Larson Fruit Company in nearby Selah, Washington where it is placed in cold storage at a controlled temperature of 33° Fahrenheit. Large refrigerator rooms cool the fruit down from ambient field temperature to the best storage temperature necessary for holding it without loss of quality.

Tips on Ripening Apples
Apples ripen quickly at room temperature; ten times as fast as an apple kept at 32° Fahrenheit. We recommend proper refrigerated storage at your home if you do not plan on using apples upon arrival. The shipping box is designed to fit on the lower shelf of a standard home refrigerator.

Tips on Ripening Pears

When you receive your shipment from FruitFromWashington.com, immediately open the box and check the pears for ripeness. If the flesh is very firm and there is no "give" to the stem end, they need more time to ripen. If you store your pears in the refrigerator, you will slow the ripening process.

To hurry the ripening process, keep pears at room temperature, each piece individually wrapped in paper, or enclosed in a paper bag ventilated with a few holes. Check them with some frequency. Grandma Barbara once said that pears ripen from the inside out. Looks can be deceiving so test the stem end for that slight "give" to tell you when the pear is ready. Fruit bowl of Winter Banana Apples and Hosui Asian Pears

A tray of Hosui, Asian Pears	We recommend that you serve fresh pears at room temperature rather than cold in order to savor the fullness of the taste and aroma. However, Asian pears such as Hosui, should be kept cool, stored in the refrigerator and served chilled. This enhances their sweet juiciness and crisp, crunchy texture.
Apple Nutrition Facts • Health Facts • Recommended Apple Use Chart • Harvest Seasons • Fruit Storage • Apple and Pear Ripening Tips • Fruit Availability Chart • 2001 Apple and Pear Crop • 2000 Apple and Pear Crop • FruitFromWashington WebLetter Return to Top