The Science
* Ethylene Gas: Fruits naturally produce ethylene gas, which is a plant hormone that signals ripening. As fruits ripen, they release more ethylene, which in turn accelerates the ripening process of surrounding fruits.
* Trapping Ethylene: Wrapping fruits in newspaper creates an enclosed environment that traps the ethylene gas released by the fruits. This concentrated ethylene environment speeds up the ripening process.
* Temperature: Newspaper can also help insulate the fruits, slightly increasing their temperature. This warmth can also promote ripening, as enzymes involved in the process work faster at warmer temperatures.
Important Considerations
* Not Just Newspaper: Any breathable material that can trap ethylene, like plastic bags or brown paper bags, will have a similar effect.
* Fruit Type: Different fruits have different sensitivities to ethylene. Some fruits, like avocados and bananas, are very responsive, while others, like strawberries and citrus fruits, are less so.
* Ripening Process: Wrapping fruits in newspaper will accelerate the natural ripening process; it won't make unripe fruits magically ripen.
Bottom Line:
While newspaper can indeed speed up ripening, it's more about the environment it creates for trapping ethylene gas, rather than any inherent property of the newspaper itself.
Alternatives to Newspaper:
* Brown Paper Bags: These offer similar benefits to newspaper while being more readily available.
* Plastic Bags: While effective at trapping ethylene, be careful as they can trap moisture, which can lead to spoilage.
Overall, using newspaper to ripen fruit is an effective method, but it's important to understand the science behind it and use it responsibly.