physicalripening

2. The stage when a fruit's color, feel, and smell change as it becomes ready to eat.

During physical ripening, the peaches turned from green to a warm orange.

3. The natural process in which a plant part becomes fully grown and usable.

Farmers watch for physical ripening before they pick the tomatoes.

4. The bodily changes that make a fruit soft and juicy rather than hard.

Physical ripening made the pears juicy enough for the pie.