Fruit firmness improves product quality as a maturity indicator

Fruit firmness testers, commonly referenced as penetrometers, supplied by FRESH PRODUCE INSTRUMENTS are utilized by research departments, universities, packing houses and farms to measure the firmness of almost any fruit to help improve product quality with quick and accurate firmness measurements. Firmness measurements of fruit and vegetables are a commonly accepted maturity indicator across the globe. “These devices are an economical and indispensable tool for determining fruit maturity in harvesting, receiving, shipping, and consumption,” stated Anna Zegveld of Fresh Produce Instruments. Penetrometers from Fresh Produce Instruments are available in both handheld and benchtop form to accommodate multiple tip sizes for various produce. Handheld penetrometers are an excellent choice for produce professionals testing fruit maturity in the field before harvesting or as a portable option. Benchtop penetrometers such as the newly redesigned Fruit Texture Analyzer (FTA) measure fruit firmness at the push of a button and stores the results on your PC. Test apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, kiwi- fruit, avocados and more, with quick, easy and reliable results. For users interested in an option that can be both a handheld unit and a benchtop, a penetrometer with a compatible manual test stand is available through the company. Manual test stands give smooth movement and precise alignment with a rugged rack and pinion lever elevating mechanism traveling on two guideposts with tight fitting bushings. Additional accessories for testing fruit maturity include the stainless-steel fruit peeler and penetrometer calibration stand. About Fresh Produce InstrumentsFresh Produce Instruments exists to help the fresh produce industry monitor, maintain, and improve the quality of their fresh produce by the sale and service of technical instruments aimed at addressing the measurement and control of parameters that dictate quality. Figures1. Penetrometer with manual test stand2. Penetrometer3. Digital penetrometer4. Firmness tester