When is the best time to harvest kiwifruit? Pay attention to these four points

The season for eating kiwifruit has come around again! Kiwifruit contains actinidine, proteolytic enzymes, tannin pectin, calcium, potassium, selenium, zinc, germanium and other elements needed by the human body. So when is the best time to harvest kiwifruit generally? When harvesting, you must pay attention to these four points!

1. When is the best time to harvest kiwifruit?

Generally, the fruit ripening period of kiwifruit is from August to October, and some varieties are already on the market from late August to early September. The best picking time for kiwifruit is before 10 a.m., when the temperature has not yet risen. When picking kiwifruit, be sure to handle it gently.

2. Pay attention to these four points when harvesting kiwifruit

1. Harvesting standards

In China, a soluble solids content of 6.5% is the minimum index for harvesting. For fruit intended for a longer storage period after harvest, it is harvested after the soluble solids content reaches 7.5%, so that the fruit's storability, shelf life and flavor quality after softening are better.

2. Harvest at the right time

There are many varieties of kiwifruit. From flowering to harvest, the period is generally 140-150 days. The fruit development period varies greatly among varieties, and the ripening period starts in August and lasts until the end of October. Kiwifruit harvested early has little nutrient accumulation, and its sugar content and acidity do not reach the standard; after softening, it loses the flavor of the original variety. Its starch content is high, and it is also prone to changing flavor during the conversion process. Fruit should be picked in the cool early morning or evening of a clear day, or in cloudy weather. Avoid harvesting at noon when the temperature is high; otherwise the fruit absorbs a large amount of field heat that is not dissipated, which easily accelerates fruit softening. It is also not suitable to harvest during rain, heavy fog, or when dew has not dried, because a moist fruit surface is conducive to infection by pathogens.

3. Remove bags before harvest

Bagged kiwifruit should preferably have the bags removed 5-7 days before harvest, so that the fruit skin surface develops better color under sunlight, avoiding the appearance of all-green fruit, and at the same time it can also increase the sugar content of the fruit and improve fruit quality.

4. Harvesting methods

When picking fruit, hold the fruit with your hand, gently press the fruit stalk with your fingers, and break it off close to the fruit. Handle the fruit gently, and try to avoid piercing, crushing or bumping the fruit. To avoid damage caused by picking, pickers should cut their nails short and smooth, wear soft gloves, and the wooden boxes, fruit baskets, etc. used should be lined with soft padding to prevent the fruit from being bruised.