TAKING CARE OF FRUIT AT HOME:

• Fruit must simply be washed in cold water and sometimes peeled before eating. Dried fruits are high in natural sugars, but low in water, so their nutrient content is concentrated.

• Fruits ripen more quickly at room temperature. Preserve freshness by storing all fruit except bananas and tomatoes in the refrigerator.

• Keep prepared fruit salads and other cut fruit in the refrigerator until just before serving.

HOW TO RIPEN FRUIT:

Most fruits are picked when they are mature, but not completely ripe. Here are tips to complete the ripening process at home:

• Place fruit in a paper bag and fold over the top to close. Leave at room temperature.

• Check the fruit daily. It is ripe when it emits a sweet aroma and is soft to the touch.

• If you keep several types of fruit together, such as plums, nectarines, and peaches, they will ripen faster.

• Remove ripe fruit from the bag and refrigerate or eat.