How to store exotic fruit

There is a common misconception about exotic fruit: that all of it belongs in the fridge. In fact much tropical produce is damaged by cold — the texture breaks down and the aroma stalls before it develops. This is known as chilling injury.

Where each fruit belongs

• Keep out of the fridge: Pineapple, and mango, avocado and papaya while still firm. Ripen these at room temperature.
• Fridge once ripe: Mango, avocado, papaya and dragon fruit will keep a few more days in the cold after ripening.
• Straight into the fridge: Blueberries, golden berries, limes and passion fruit.
• Once cut: Everything should go into a closed container and be eaten within two to three days.

Put a firm mango or avocado in a paper bag and fold it loosely shut. The ethylene the fruit gives off collects in the bag and noticeably accelerates ripening. The reverse also holds: anything you do not want ripening yet should stay out of the bag, somewhere airy.