Ripening's a process in fruits that causes them to become more edible. In general, a fruit becomes sweeter, less green, and softer as it ripens. However the acidity as well as sweetness rises during ripening, but the fruit still tastes sweeter regardless. The reason for this's the Brix-Acid Ratio. Natural The life stages of a plant are influenced by plant hormones. An organic compound involved with ripening's ethylene, a gas created by plants from the amino acid methionine. Ethylene increases t… (More on Ripening)