Now Forage

Apple (Malus): Background skin colour shifts from green toward yellow; seeds turn brown when ripe. Fruit separates from the spur with a gentle upward twist. Aroma develops near the base. Wild Malus fruit is often small and tart — excellent for cider and jelly.

Pawpaw: Green skin turns slightly yellow and gives like a ripe avocado. Custard-like, mango-banana scented flesh inside. Falls at the slightest touch. Very short shelf life — refrigerate and eat within days. Found throughout eastern North America.

Peach: Background skin colour shifts from green to yellow; red blush is variety-dependent and not a reliable indicator. Fruit yields to gentle pressure near the stem end. Fragrant aroma at the base. Harvest when it detaches with a slight twist — no tugging needed.

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.

Tomato: Uniformly coloured (red, orange, yellow, or purple by variety) with slight give when squeezed. A ripe tomato separates easily from the vine. Fully coloured fruit stored at room temperature — never refrigerate.