When Is Soursop Ready To Pick

Soursop is ready to pick when it yields slightly to firm pressure, much like a ripe avocado.

But timing this perfectly takes a bit more know-how than just squeezing the fruit.

If you’ve ever wondered when is soursop ready to pick from your tree, you’re in the right place.

Knowing when is soursop ready to pick comes down to observing color changes, checking the spines, and understanding the fruit’s natural ripening timeline.

In this post, we’ll walk through the visual and tactile signs that tell you when is soursop ready to pick, plus a few helpful tips for harvesting and ripening them indoors.

Let’s dig in.

Signs That Tell You When Soursop Is Ready To Pick

Determining when is soursop ready to pick doesn’t have to be a guessing game.

The fruit gives you several clear clues that it’s reached the perfect harvest stage.

Here are the key indicators to watch for.

1. The Skin Color Shifts to a Dull Green

One of the first signs when is soursop ready to pick is a change in the skin’s color.

A young, unripe soursop has a bright, shiny, and vibrant green exterior.

As the fruit matures on the tree, that glossy sheen fades.

When is soursop ready to pick? It’s when the skin turns a dull, yellowish-green or even a pale lime tone.

If you still see a very dark, glossy green, it needs more time.

The dulling of the skin signals that the fruit has stopped growing and is now focusing on developing sugars inside.

2. The Spines Soften and Spread Apart

Soursop fruits are covered in soft, fleshy spines.

On an unripe fruit, these spines are firm, upright, and tightly clustered together.

As the fruit nears harvest readiness, the spines begin to soften and bend slightly.

They also tend to spread a little wider apart from each other.

When you run your hand over the fruit, the spines should feel pliable rather than stiff.

This is a very reliable visual cue for when is soursop ready to pick because the softening is directly tied to the flesh inside maturing.

3. The Fruit Gives Slightly to Gentle Pressure

This is probably the most foolproof test for knowing when is soursop ready to pick.

Gently cup the fruit in your hand and apply light pressure with your thumb.

If the soursop is ready, it will give slightly, much like a ripe peach or avocado.

If it feels rock-hard like a coconut, leave it on the tree.

But don’t wait until it’s mushy, as an overripe soursop on the tree will begin to split and ferment.

So the ideal moment when is soursop ready to pick is that sweet spot between firm and softly yielding.

4. The Fruit Detaches Easily From the Stem

Another useful trick to determine when is soursop ready to pick is to try a gentle twist.

A ripe soursop will often separate from its stem with very little effort.

If you have to tug hard or pull the branch down, it’s not ready yet.

The natural abscission layer between the fruit and the stem weakens as the fruit matures.

So give it a gentle twist; if it comes off cleanly in your hand, that’s a strong sign it’s harvest time.

5. The Fruit Has Reached Full Size

Finally, you should consider when is soursop ready to pick based on the fruit’s size.

Soursop fruits stop enlarging when they are mature, even if they haven’t fully ripened yet.

A mature soursop can range anywhere from 6 to 10 inches long and weigh up to 3 to 5 pounds.

Once the fruit stops growing for a few days and starts showing the color and spine changes, it is mature enough to pick.

Remember that soursop is a climacteric fruit, meaning it will continue to ripen after being harvested.

So you can pick it once it’s mature, even if it’s not perfectly soft yet.

What Happens If You Pick Soursop Too Early?

If you misjudge when is soursop ready to pick and harvest too early, you might be disappointed.

A soursop picked while it’s still immature will not ripen properly off the tree.

It will stay hard, green, and won’t develop its signature sweet, tangy flavor.

Instead, it may turn brown, become rubbery, or simply rot without ever softening.

So it’s much better to err on the side of leaving the fruit on the tree a few extra days rather than pulling it early.

Patience is truly key here.

How to Ripen Soursop After Picking

Once you’ve determined when is soursop ready to pick, you might still need to ripen it a bit more indoors.

Here’s a simple guide to finish the ripening process.

1. Leave It at Room Temperature

Place your picked soursop on the kitchen counter at room temperature.

It doesn’t need direct sunlight, and in fact, too much heat can cause it to spoil.

Check it daily by pressing the skin gently.

Within one to three days, it should soften considerably and be ready to eat.

2. Use a Paper Bag for Faster Ripening

Need to speed things up a little?

Place the soursop inside a brown paper bag.

The bag traps the natural ethylene gas the fruit releases, which is the plant hormone responsible for ripening.

You can also add a ripe banana or an apple to the bag, as these fruits emit extra ethylene.

This trick can cut your waiting time down to a day or two.

3. Once Ripe, Store It in the Fridge

The moment your soursop yields to gentle pressure and smells beautifully fragrant, it’s perfectly ready.

Don’t leave it out at room temperature any longer or it will become overripe and ferment.

Wrap it in a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator.

A ripe soursop can last for about two to three days in the fridge before it starts to degrade.

You can also scoop the pulp out and freeze it for longer storage, which is great for smoothies or juices.

So, When Is Soursop Ready To Pick?

Soursop is ready to pick when the fruit has reached full size, its shiny green color has dulled to a yellowish-green, and the spines have softened and spread apart.

Additionally, when you gently press the skin, it should give slightly, and the fruit should twist off the stem with ease.

So while there’s no single calendar date for when is soursop ready to pick, these physical cues will guide you perfectly.

Keep an eye on your tree and give the fruit a gentle check every day or two during the growing season.

Before you know it, you’ll have perfectly ripe, creamy soursop ready to enjoy fresh or blended into a delicious drink.

Happy harvesting!