Unopened and mature ackees
1) SMALL UNOPENED
Characteristics: small, hard, immature, and unopened. Unsuitable for processing or eating.
2) SLIGHTLY OPENED
Slightly open, pod lobes split, seed and aril visible (Warning: At this stage, the hypoglycin (toxin) is at a dangerously high level. Fruit can be reaped for racking but not for processing or eating.
3) FULLY OPENED
Fully opened pod: seed and aril clearly visible. Suitable for processing and eating.
4) ADVANCED SHRIVELLING
Advanced Shrivelling of pod, onset of spoilage, aril begins to decay or rot.
Unsuitable for processing or eating.
