ʻULU PRODUCTION PRIMER

Harvest & Post-Harvest

Overview

Harvest mature fruit that is free of disease or pest damage.

Proper pruning enables easy harvest. Fruit should ideally be harvestable from the ground, without climbing the tree.

Breadfruit should be harvested when fully mature, starchy and firm. This is the stage most commonly consumed.

Once harvested, breadfruit does not mature further but it does “ripen” — getting soft, sweet and fragrant. If fruit is harvested immature, it will get soft but not sweet.

While immature breadfruit is not desirable for most markets, it can be used to produce flour and is generally regarded as B Grade fruit commanding a lower price point.

How to Harvest Breadfruit

Tools & Process

  • Harvest should ensure that fruit is not damaged due to lacerations from cutting poles, or dropping.
  • Clip stem close to the fruit: do not leave excessive lengths protruding from the top of the fruit.
  • Allow sap to drain and keep out of the sun during harvest and post-harvest processes
  • A common locally made harvesting tool includes a pole (painters pole, bamboo branch, etc) with a sickle and basket attached to the end. Some pickers include a basket and net which allows the fruit to be directed to the ground without dropping.

Post-harvest processing

Download: 2023-2024 Fruit Harvesting Guideline

Download: ‘Ulu Farm to Facility Produce Safety

Cold water bath: for 10-15 minutes, this soaking step prolongs the shelf life of the fruit. Soak fruit in a large tub of cold water (iced if possible) to drop the core temperature of the fruit: this which increases shelf life for processing. Use potable water for post harvest soak if possible. Certain market outlets, such as the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op, do not require use of potable water due to in-house food safety sanitation program once fruit is received.

If the farm has little fire ants (LFAs), add 1/4 tsp of liquid dish detergent per gal of water during the soak; rinse well before packing.

Pack fruit in ventilated plastic crates or cardboard boxes and deliver to a buyer within 24 hours of harvesting. Avoid leaving fruit exposed to direct sunlight.

Deliver fruit in clean and sanitary conditions; do not transport potential sources of contamination with produce such as rubbish, mulch or manure.

Breadfruit Production Guide

For a full discussion on harvest, refer to the Breadfruit Production Guide Page 12.

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