verb
- to undergo bletting; to soften and mature (of fruit, especially medlars) through a process of partial decay or overripeness
Usage: transitive or intransitive; horticultural/botanical term; primarily British English
Examples
- The medlar fruit blets after the first frost.
- Gardeners allow medlars to blet on the tree before harvesting.
- The fruit will blet naturally if left undisturbed.
- Bletting occurs when the fruit softens and develops a sweet flavor.
- Once the medlars blet, they become edible and suitable for making jelly.