In addition, if ripe apples are left on the tree for an extended period, excessive dropping can occur. Red Delicious apples develop poor dessert quality if picked immature. If fruit remains on the tree in an attempt to get high red color development, overmaturity results. Apples need to complete the maturity stage before they start ripening. Immature fruit when harvested fails to progress toward a good edible fruit or to a good processing condition.
Maturity is also related to the stage when full size is obtained.
Ripeness is related to internal changes in the apple leading to better quality development, mainly an increase in sugar content, and an improvement in flavor and aroma. The maturity at which apples should be harvested depends on the final use of the fruit. If an apple is to be sold in a fresh fruit market shortly after harvest, the fruit may be allowed to ripen almost entirely on the tree. If the fruit is to be held in storage for an extended period, it should be picked earlier. If the fruit is to be processed soon after harvest, then it must be picked with the proper quality.