Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The slow internal decay or “sleepiness” that takes place in some fruits, as apples and pears, after they are gathered.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A form of decay seen in fleshy, overripe fruit.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A fermentation process in certain fruit beyond ripening.
  • verb Present participle of blet.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • It is hard, dry and astringent when immature, but after a mysterious ripening process called bletting, its cell walls break down, its tannins are reduced, and its pulp turns brown and custardy.

    Lunch Room Chatter: Produce is not downloadable Tim Carman 2010

  • A common peasant fruit was the medlar, a now-forgotten brown fruit that must be dried called bletting before being eaten.

    The Fruit Hunters Adam Leith Gollner 2008

  • A common peasant fruit was the medlar, a now-forgotten brown fruit that must be dried called bletting before being eaten.

    The Fruit Hunters Adam Leith Gollner 2008

  • A common peasant fruit was the medlar, a now-forgotten brown fruit that must be dried called bletting before being eaten.

    The Fruit Hunters Adam Leith Gollner 2008

  • This process, referred to as “bletting,” permits the breakdown of starches into sugars.

    Medlar: The Fruit of Misunderstanding Michelle Krell Kydd 2008

  • This process, referred to as “bletting,” permits the breakdown of starches into sugars.

    Archive 2008-02-01 Michelle Krell Kydd 2008

  • Cheese doesn't last long, doesn't benefit from bletting, so why set up a deterrent to customers having it?

    Evening Standard - Home Fay Maschler 2011

  • Three-course lunch/dinner for two with wine, about £90/£130 including 12.5 per cent service A medlar is a fruit that requires "bletting" to become edible.

    Evening Standard - Home Fay Maschler 2011

Comments

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  • (n) the ripening of fruit

    February 16, 2009

  • (n) A form of decay seen in fleshy, overripe fruit.

    February 16, 2009