Now Forage

Fig: Hangs heavily and droops at the neck; skin softens and may split. A sweet drop of nectar at the base eye and the absence of white sap at the stem confirm ripeness. Pick with a gentle twist.

Mulberry: Ripe when fully coloured (white, red, or black by species) and falls at a touch. Spread a sheet and shake the branches. Extremely perishable — process or eat immediately.

Pear: Unlike apples, pears ripen from the inside out. Harvest when the skin colour lightens and the fruit separates with a gentle upward twist. Ripen off the tree at room temperature — leave on a counter until the neck yields to thumb pressure.