Some of the other major fruit crops include plantains (Musa paradisiaca, Musaceae),
pineapple (Ananas comosus, Bromeliaceae), and dates (Phoenix dactylifera, Palmaceae).
The starchy interior of plantains is consumed in several African countries as a staple food.
The mature fruit ripens after harvest or on the plant and does not store well. The fruit
overripens and decays within a week. The ripe fruit is soft and rich in sugar and pectin.
Pineapples have become very popular as an edible fruit, and a large amount of harvested
fruits are processed. The fruits are harvested when mature, and during ripening, the stored
organic acids are converted to sugars. Again, pineapple may store for 2–3 weeks when kept
in a cool room. Date fruits, on the other hand, can be stored for a considerable length of
time and are traditionally transported to several countries from the Middle East.