gereifte

Gereifte is a German adjective form derived from the verb reifen, meaning ripe or mature. It is used to describe foods, beverages, and other products that have reached full maturation, so their flavor, texture, or aroma is considered optimal. The term appears in labeling, product descriptions, and food literature to indicate readiness for consumption or peak quality.

The word originates from reifen and the adjectival ending -e in the feminine singular form; like all attributive adjectives in German, the ending changes with gender, number, and article. For example: "eine gereifte Frucht" (feminine singular), "gereifte Früchte" (plural, no article), "die gereiften Früchte" (plural with definite article). With indefinite articles for other genders, you obtain forms such as "ein gereifter Käse" (masculine singular) or "ein gereiftes Produkt" (neuter singular). In predicate position, the related participle remains "gereift": "Der Wein ist gereift."

Gereifte is commonly used in contexts such as fruit, wine, and dairy to signal maturity and quality, but it can also describe other products like meat, fermented foods, or any item where aging enhances characteristics. The term can be extended metaphorically to discuss the maturity of ideas, processes, or systems.

See also: Reife, Reifen, Gereift.