Ethylene Table

Most fruits generate ethylene gas while they ripen. Products sensitive to ethylene gas, such as broccoli and bananas, will spoil quickly if stored in the same areas as ethylene producers. Keep your fruit and veggies apart and make your food last longer.

(Usually fruits produce ethylene, whereas vegetables are sensitive to it)

EP:Ethylene Producer

ES: Ethylene Sensitive

EN: Ethylene Neutral

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Jonagold Apples (EP) are grown for Elam Organics in Bristish Columbia. The name of this brilliant golden-red apple reflects its parentage of Golden Delicious and Jonathan. It has the tart-sweetness of the Jonathan and juicy, crispness in texture of the Goldens. It is best to keep apples as cold as possible, so store them in the back of your refrigerator. Apples can last up to six weeks in the refrigerator.

Warren Pears (EP) are from Frog Hollow in California. The Warren Pear is sweet like honey, juicy with smooth, soft texture. It's similar to a Comice but lacks the graininess that a Comice often has. It's great for baking but Frog Hollow suggests that they are best enjoyed with a glass of port and good Stilton. This unusual variety originates in the South and Frog Hollow is one the few growers to have it. A recipe for Roasted Warren Pears. Leave them out at room temperature and they will ripen in a few days to a week, depending on the maturity when delivered. If you choose to hold off the ripening process, the fruit should be refrigerated and will hold three to four weeks there until ready to ripen. Once ripe, a pear will not last much more than a couple of days, even in the refrigerator.

Granny Smith Apples (EP) are grown by Briggs and Eggers Orchard. Granny Smith apples are a light speckled green in color, though some may have a pink blush. They are crisp, juicy, tart apples that are excellent for cooking or eating out of hand. They also are favored for salads because the slices do not brown as quickly as other varieties. It is best to keep apples as cold as possible, so store them in the back of your refrigerator. Apples can last up to six weeks in the refrigerator.

Cranberries (Local, EN) are grown by Ruesch Century Farm in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. The name cranberry was given to this plant because the Pilgrims believed the plant looked like the head of a sandhill crane and was originally named craneberry. Over time, the "e" was dropped. Store fresh cranberries for up to two months in a tightly-sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. As with all berries, if one starts getting soft and decaying, it will quickly spread to the rest.

Biodynamic Bosc Pears (EP) are grown by Mount Hood Organics. in Oregon. Bosc pears have their origin in Belgium and were introduced to the United States in 1832. It is a rather large variety with a long, tapering neck and long stem. Color ranges from deep yellow to dark tan, and the skin often has a russet look. The Bosc has a sweet taste, but is not particularly juicy. Its dense flesh makes it ideal for cooking, especially baking or poaching.

Limes (EN) are grown in Mexico by New Harvest. Limes put in a plastic bag and kept in the refrigerator will last up to six weeks.

Hachiya Persimmons (EP) are grown by Twin Girls farm in CA. Hachiya is a beautiful fruit about the size of a medium peach, acorn-shaped with a shiny, bright orange skin and pale green papery calyx, or leafy cap. If you bite into an unripe Hachiya persimmon, it is as if you just drank six cups of extra strength tea. This astringent flavor is due to the high level of tannin in the fruit, and there is a good chance that you would never try a persimmon again because it tastes so bitter. This would be a shame because ripe persimmons have an exceptional flavor and provide us with important nutrients such as beta-carotene, Vitamin C and potassium. As the fruit ripens, the skin dulls and takes on the texture of a water balloon. The astringent tannin evaporates and the fruit becomes sweeter with an apricot-like flavor, although some liken the flavor to plums, even pumpkins. Surprisingly, persimmons stored at normal refrigerator temperature, about 40 F, will actually deteriorate faster than if stored at room temperature (55 F).

Wonderful Pomegranates (EN) are also grown by Twin Girls farm in CA. Wonderful pomegranates, which include the Red Wonderful and the Early Wonderful are the most commonly grown varieties, and are about the size of an apple with a red, leathery skin. Pomegranates have a long storage life of approximately two weeks. It is best to store them out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. By storing them in the refrigerator, you extend their storage life up to two months or more. Once peeled, the seeds will last a week or more in the refrigerator and can be frozen for up to a year. Once juiced, pomegranates will last about five days under refrigeration, and up to six months frozen.