Tag: Tomato ripening

According to horticultural experts, tomatoes are one of several climacteric fruits that continue to mature off the vine, a characteristic that allows them to still ripen after being picked, even if they are green. This natural ability is a lifesaver for gardeners facing an early frost or battling hungry pests for their crop.

According to several university extension studies, tomatoes are most acidic when they are mature and green, with acidity decreasing as they ripen. This may seem counterintuitive since ripe tomatoes taste sweeter, but it is due to a complex interplay of sugars and organic acids during the ripening process that significantly changes the fruit's overall flavor profile.