Fruit Produce Facts English
Quince
Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality
![]() Adel A. Kader
Maturity & Quality
Maturity Indices Change of skin color from green to yellow is the primary maturity index. Quinces should be picked when full-yellow and firm.
Temperature & Controlled Atmosphere
Optimum Temperature 0°C (32°F); Highest freezing point = -2°C (28.4°F). Storage potential = 2-3 months 90-95% Climacteric respiratory pattern.
To calculate heat production multiply ml CO2/kg·hr by 440 to get Btu/ton/day or by 122 to get kcal/metric ton/day.
Ethylene (100ppm) treatment for 2 days at 18-21°C (65-70°F) and 90-95% relative humidity can be used after removal from cold storage to stimulate more uniform and faster ripening of quinces before processing. No published information.
Disorders
Physiological and Physical Disorders No published information. Blue mold. Caused by Penicillium expansum, is the most common postharvest disease of quinces. Control strategies include careful handling to minimize wounding, prompt cooling to 0°C (32°F), and maintenance of optimum temperature and relative humidity during storage.
Date
November 2000 |
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How to Cite
Author(s) names. Initial publication or update date (located at the top). Title. Link to the specific Produce Fact Sheet webpage (Accessed date)
Example: Cantwell, M. and T. Suslow. 2002. Lettuce, Crisphead: Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality.
http://ucanr.edu/sites/Postharvest_Technology_Center_/Commodity_Resources/Fact_Sheets/Datastores/Vegetables_English/?uid=19&ds=799 (Accessed January 18, 2014).