The process of accelerating the softening and sweetening of kiwifruit after harvest is a common practice. This typically involves manipulating storage conditions to encourage ethylene production, a natural plant hormone that influences fruit maturation. Kiwifruit, like avocados and bananas, are climacteric fruits, meaning they continue to ripen after being picked.
Successfully achieving this has significant commercial value, enabling wider distribution and extending shelf life. Furthermore, consumers benefit from access to fruit at the desired level of ripeness, enhancing palatability and reducing wastage. Historically, techniques for inducing maturation have evolved from simple storage methods to sophisticated controlled atmosphere systems.