The nectarine is a sort of peach that has smooth skin instead of the typical fuzzy skin that peaches have.
Aside from their skin, nectarines are practically identical twins to standard peaches.
On the inside, they have loads of vitamins and minerals, as well as beta-carotene, making them excellent fruit for boosting your immune system.
Read on to discover whether or not nectarines ripen after being picked.
Do Nectarines Ripen After Being Picked?
Nectarines continue ripening after they’re picked, as do peaches, apples, bananas, and other popular fruits. All you need to do is set them on the kitchen counter or in the fridge for them to continue ripening after you pick or purchase them.
How Do You Ripen a Nectarine?
Nectarines will continue to ripen on their own after being picked, whether in the fridge or on the counter. That said, if you want to speed the ripening process up a bit, feel free to stick them in a paper bag with a banana or handful of apples. The ethylene gas from the other fruit will help the nectarines ripen quicker. They should be ready in 3 or 4 days.
How to Tell if a Nectarine is Ripe?
When a nectarine is fully ripe, you should be able to tell by the color. All the green will be gone, not even a hint of green showing in its skin. It may also have tiny pale dots known as sugar spots on its skin. Lastly, when you squeeze it, it will be firm but slightly yielding.
Do Nectarines Get Sweeter as They Ripen?
Nectarines do not get any sweeter as they continue to ripen, unfortunately. They do, however, continue to get sweeter, change color, become softer, and even juicier. That is why it is best to leave them on the tree for as long as possible before you pick them.
Are Unripe Nectarines Safe to Eat?
Nectarines may be slightly poisonous when they are unripe. Hence, it is best to avoid eating unripe nectarines altogether. If they have any green on their skin, they are not ripe yet and need more time to age.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
