How to Tell if a Loquat is Ripe: A Complete Guide

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Robby

Are you ready to get obsessed with loquats a little peach colored fruit?! For fruits that are best hyper-local, the loquat and Houston native the dewberry are my favorites. Here’s why.

Loquats, also called a Chinese plum, are remarkably common throughout Zone 9. They thrive from the warmth and amount of sun so they have been a popular gardening choice throughout the area for 40+ years. You will find them on abandoned lots, in backyards, and around public parks. It fruits early in the season – sometimes as early as March but more commonly in mid to late April. In it’s native Japan, it fruits in June.

It is most similar in appearance, texture, and flavor to the apricot. It’s a gorgeous peach in color and teardrop in shape. It’s not as juicy as a peach but has a soft fleshy fruit that is totally divine.

It is from the Rosaceae family, in the genus Eriobotrya. That makes this fruit most similar genetically to the apple. But shares little in common in taste or appearance. One trait that is common to apples and loquats are that the seeds are considered toxic. They have lots of different names for this toxicity but I see it most commonly called “digestible cyanide.”

The loquat is a tasty tropical fruit that bears juicy sweet flesh when ripe. With their peach-like appearance and citrus-pear flavor, loquats are a unique treat. Determining the perfect time to harvest your loquats ensures you can enjoy their full flavor potential. This guide will cover all the signs to look for when assessing ripeness in loquats.

What are Loquats?

Loquats are small, oval fruits that grow on evergreen trees. Also called Japanese plums loquats thrive in warm climates like Florida Texas, and California. The loquat tree originated in China but became a beloved crop in Japan. Today, loquats are grown around the world in zones 8-10. These trees produce fragrant blossoms in autumn which later develop into the edible fruits.

When is Loquat Season?

The loquat harvest season occurs in early spring. Most varieties ripen their fruit from March to May depending on your growing region’s climate. In loquats’ native Japan harvest occurs later around June. On each tree, the fruits growing at the tops tend to ripen first before the lower portions.

Indicators of Ripeness in Loquats

Determining when to pick loquats relies on recognizing key characteristics that signify peak ripeness. Here are the signs to look for:

Color

  • Unripe: Green skin
  • Ripe: Vibrant orange-yellow skin

As loquats ripen, they transition from green to a golden yellow or orange hue. Ripe loquats will be uniformly colored while green spots indicate an unripe fruit.

Texture

  • Unripe: Firm, hard flesh
  • Ripe: Soft, gives slightly when gently squeezed

A ripe loquat will have a soft, pliable texture. Use your fingers to gently test the fruit. If it yields slightly, it’s ripe. Firm, hard flesh means it needs more time on the tree.

Aroma

  • Unripe: Lacks fragrance
  • Ripe: Sweet, fruity smell

Fragrance is a clear indicator of ripeness in loquats. Take a whiff of the fruit. If it smells sweet and aromatic, it’s ready for picking. Unripe loquats do not release any noticeable odor.

Stem Ease

  • Unripe: Holds tightly to stem
  • Ripe: Twists off stem without resistance

Check how easily the loquat separates from its stem. Ripe fruits should twist off cleanly with little effort. Unripe loquats cling stubbornly to their stems.

Taste

  • Unripe: Sour, tart flavor
  • Ripe: Sweet, complex flavor

As the ultimate test, sample a tiny portion of the flesh. Ripe loquats taste juicy and sweet with a hint of acidity while unripe ones are often quite sour.

Harvesting Ripe Loquats

With loquats, timing is everything. Follow these tips when gathering ripe fruits:

  • Twist gently to detach loquats from stems while cradling the fruits.
  • Use clean shears for hard to reach loquats rather than pulling.
  • Handle carefully to prevent bruising.
  • Check each fruit for ripeness indicators like color, softness, and fragrance.
  • Eat soon after picking or refrigerate promptly.

For best flavor, harvest loquats in the morning when sugar content peaks. Consume ripe loquats quickly, within a couple days, as they perish fast.

Storing and Using Ripe Loquats

Fresh loquats don’t keep long, but with proper post-harvest care, their shelf life improves:

  • Refrigerate ripe loquats in a vented container to delay spoilage.
  • Enjoy within 3-5 days for ultimate flavor and texture.
  • Freeze peeled, pitted loquat flesh in an airtight bag for months of storage.
  • Preserve ripe loquats through canning, dehydrating, or processing into jams, compotes, or liqueurs.

Beyond eating them raw, ripe loquats work deliciously in both sweet and savory dishes. Their signature tangy-sweet taste shines through in salsas, chutneys, pies, and smoothies. Loquats pair well with almonds, vanilla, citrus, ginger, and herbs.

Common Loquat Growing Problems

While loquat trees are relatively hardy, a few issues can impact your harvest:

  • Pests like aphids, fruit flies, and codling moths. Monitor for damage and remove affected fruits promptly.
  • Diseases such as fire blight. Prune infected branches to control spread.
  • Environmental factors like frost, improper soil conditions, or drought.

With preventative care and prompt treatment of any problems, your loquat tree can produce abundant ripe fruits to enjoy. Check for ripeness indicators regularly as harvest season approaches. Recognizing the signs of mature loquats ensures you can appreciate their short-lived peak flavor and juicy texture. With this guide, you’ll be able to determine the perfect time to start gathering these special fruits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do ripe loquats last?

With refrigeration, ripe loquats will keep for 3-5 days before going bad. For long-term storage, freeze or can the peeled, pitted flesh.

What’s the difference between a ripe and unripe loquat?

Ripe loquats are orange-yellow in color with a soft, fragrant flesh. Unripe fruits remain greenish with firm, hard flesh and lack aroma.

Can you eat loquats before they’re ripe?

It’s best to wait until loquats fully ripen on the tree, as unripe fruits are often too sour or bitter to enjoy. Let them mature for the sweetest flavor.

Do loquats continue ripening after picking?

Loquats will ripen slightly off the tree but reach ideal sweetness when vine-ripened. Harvest when just shy of fully ripe.

How should you store ripe loquats?

Consume ripe loquats quickly or refrigerate them promptly in a vented container. Refrigeration helps slow their rapid spoilage.

By recognizing when loquats transition from unripe to perfectly ripe and sweet, you can enjoy these tropical fruits at their peak eating quality. Use this guide to identify the key signs of ripeness and harvest your loquats at just the right moment.

how to tell if loquat is ripe

How to Grow Loquats

A mature loquat tree will grow to 5-8 feet in 5 years and 10-12 feet in 10 years. It peaks at around 20 feet. To harvest this fruit, you will need a ladder as the fruit grows throughout the treetops.

If you graft the tree, it may fruit within 2-3 years. From seed, it may take 10 years for loquat trees to fruit. There doesn’t appear to be any info on how long a loquat tree can live, but I can tell you I’ve seen many that are 50+ years old.

Loquats do have some natural pests. Aphids are of the most common – which are usually treating by daily cleaning with soap and water. Codling moths can be a problem too, although I’ve read about this more than I’ve seen it.

The sweet fruit will attract bees and wasps, so be cautious if you decide the harvest the fruit!

How to Eat Loquats

If you want to try eating loquats, allow the fruit to ripen completely on the tree. It will start green and ripen into a gorgeous yellow/pink/orange like the color of a sunset. It’s season of turning from green to ripe is quite short. So once you notice the loquat tree fruiting in January and the green fruit maturing in size by early March, know that your ripe fruit is shortly behind and pay attention. Loquats also turn from ripe to rotten quickly – within 2 weeks. So harvest them as soon as they are ripe.

Loquats, much like apricots, do not travel well, so they are best when you find them locally. As with any fruit, be careful where it comes from. If you are not familiar with what’s in the soil or how a plant has been treated, it’s best not to eat.

How to Harvest & Store Sweet, Ripe Loquats Every Single Time

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