How does the flavor profile of an underripe thimbleberry typically differ from a fully ripe one?

Underripe fruit might taste noticeably astringent or lack the desired sweetness

The sensory experience of consuming thimbleberries is heavily dependent on their maturity level. When the fruit has not reached full ripeness, it generally exhibits a less pleasant taste profile, most notably characterized by a significant level of astringency. Astringency is that drying, puckering sensation in the mouth, often due to higher levels of tannins or unripened compounds. Furthermore, the characteristic mild sweetness desired by foragers is underdeveloped, leading to a generally underwhelming or overly tart experience. Only when fully ripe do they deliver the refreshing burst of balanced sweetness that makes them highly sought after, encouraging consumption directly off the bush.