Temperature is the single most important tool for maintaining
postharvest quality. For products that are not
field-cured or exceptionally durable, the removal of
field heat as rapidly as possible is highly desirable.
Harvesting cuts a vegetable off from its source of water,
but it is still alive and will lose water, and therefore turgor,
through respiration. Field heat can accelerate the
rate of respiration and with it the rate of quality loss.
Proper cooling protects quality and extends both the
sensory (taste) and nutritional shelf life of produce. The
capacity to cool and store produce gives the grower
greater market flexibility. Growers have a tendency to
underestimate the refrigeration capacity needed for
peak cooling demand. It is often critical that fresh produce
rapidly reach the optimal pulp temperature for
short-term storage or shipping if it is to maintain its