Now Forage

Grapefruit: Large, yellow to pale orange. Heavy for its size; skin slightly smooth rather than puffy. Can hang on the tree for months once coloured. Taste is the best test — should be sweet-tart, not bitter.

Lemon (Citrus): Uniformly yellow skin; heavy for its size. Can stay on the tree for months once yellow. Scratch the skin — a strong lemon scent confirms ripeness.

Lime: Persian limes are harvested green and mature green; Key limes turn slightly yellow when fully ripe and very juicy. Heavy for its size and yields to light pressure. Green limes are still at peak acidity and fully usable.

Orange (Citrus): Fully orange and heavy for its size. Skin yields slightly when squeezed. Fruit will hang on the tree well past colour development without falling — taste-test for sweetness.

Pomegranate: Skin turns from pale orange to deep red; fruit becomes angular and the blossom end flattens slightly as arils expand. Tap the skin — a ripe pomegranate sounds metallic. Heavy for its size. A slight crack at the shoulder is fine. Do not wait for it to fall.