How to Pick Out Perfectly Ripe Fruits and Veggies

How to Pick Out Perfectly Ripe Fruits and Veggies at the Store or Farmers' Market Best Time to Buy APPLE AVOCADO BLUEBERRIES BLACKBERRIES • Feels firm and solid • Darker green (but colors vary, so go by touch) • Appears plump with a deep blue color and a light gray dusting (avoid ones tinged with red or pink) • Only buy in season - they do not continue to ripen after being picked • Tight skin that does not wrinkle or shift when touched • Feels slightly soft when squeezed but not squishy • Smooth appearance with little to no redness • Avoid bumps and bruises • Consistency of slightly firm memory foam • The more firm they are, the more tart and unripe A Late July-November • If moldy or squished, they are overripe A May-August • Vibrant green or yellow under the stem (avoid brown) A May-October O January-March CANTALOUPE CHERRIES KIWI HONEYDEW • Stems should still be attached • Sweet, pleasant aroma (overly sweet may mean it is spoiling) • Stem should pop off easily • Creamy pale yellow or golden hue (green veins may mean it is not yet ripe) • Press the end opposite from the stem gently – it should have a slight give Evenly colored tan skin • Deep crimson flesh (too purple may be overripe) • Flesh should have some give when gently pressed with a thumb • Firm to the touch • Tan color beneath the "netting" (green means it's unripe) • Slight give when pressed gently A August-December E April-July • Sweet scent • Shake the melon - you should hear a faint rattle of seeds (they detach as the melon ripens) • Heavier than it looks • Hollow sound when tapped • Deep, dull thud when tapped with fingers A June-August A June-October WATERMELON ΒΑNΑNA STRAWBERRIES PINEAPPLE • Lightest part of the melon should be yellow, not white • Avoid green unless you plan to wait to eat it • Sweet smell (no smell means unripe, vinegar smell means overripe) Rich, sweet aroma • Healthy, dark green leaves • Slightly sweet aroma • Optimal color is yellow with some brown spots (brown spots mean the sugar content has risen during the ripening process) • Check under the leaves on • Smooth skin with a dull sheen • Heavier than it looks • Healthy green leaves that give slightly when squeezed the "shoulders" – there should be no green or white • Leaves should pull out easily A May-August E April-October • Consistent golden-yellow color (too orange may be overripe) • Full and plump • Depressed, dark, or moist areas indicate bruising damage inside A April-May 8 Year-round RASPBERRIES LEMON/LIME ORANGE PEACH/NECTARINE • Plump with a rich, vibrant color • The heavier, the juicier • Lightly fuzzy and soft appearance (nectarines do not have fuzz, but all other tips apply) Shiny, thin skin with a rich and consistent color • If the container is stained, they may be overripE • Firm to the touch; avoid rough or wrinkly skin • Alittle give when squeezed (avoid any with soft spots) • Brightly colored (lemons should have no green; limes should be a light yellow-green) • Good structural integrity • Tender to the touch (firm will be more fresh, but softer is ready to eat) • Heavier than it looks A June-July A November-January • Golden undertones sun-kissed with orange and red E September-April A Mid-to-late summer PEAR POMEGRANATE MANGO GRAPEFRUIT • Dark ruby-red color • Color does not indicate ripeness, but ripe mangoes are generally more intensely pigmented • Plump, smooth, with thin skin Apply gentle pressure near the stem – it should give slightly • Smooth, firm skin • Heavy for its size • Color rarely indicates ripeness • Heavy for its size (meaning it's full of seeds and juicy) • Consistent orange color (avoid any green) • Flattened, angular sides (avoid ball-like fruit) Sweet, intense aroma (unripe will have no smell; overripe will smell sour) • Firm when squeezed A August-October • Avoid perfectly round fruit (flattened sides or a more oval shape indicate ripeness and sweetness) E September-November • Soft enough to retain an imprint when gently pressed • Flesh around the stalk should appear firm A November-June • Stalk should protrude outward A May-September ТОМАТО РОТАТО BEET ONIONS • Heavy for its size • Firm; does not give when squeezed • Firm and round Dry, papery skin • Avoid brown or soft spots • Free of blemishes or dark spots • Bright green leaves and deep red roots • Skin should rub off under thumb pressure • Firm to the touch • Firm but will yield to any real • Long roots may indicate toughness • Heavy for its size • Avoid sprouts, wrinkled skin, or green tinges pressure • Richly fragrant when sniffed where the stem is attached • Smaller beets are more 9 July-September tender A Spring A May-October A June-October MUSHROOMS BRUSSELS SPROUTS ARTICHOKE BELL PEPPERS • The smaller, the more sweet • Solid and heavy • Firm, glossy skin that yields to slight pressure Firm, smooth, and plump appearance and tender • Thick, tightly packed leaves • Should be dry but not • Tight, compact leaves • Bright flesh • Leaves should squeak when shriveled • Bright green (yellowing indicates they are overripe) rubbed • Stem should be green • Avoid slime, softness, or spots A Fll E March-June, September-October • Younger mushrooms will be more compact and closed (they keep their structure better when cooked but may not be as flavorful as mature mushrooms) 重 Fall A Fall and winter EGGPLANT ASPARAGUS BROCCOLI • Firm, smooth, and shiny flesh • Firm, plump stalks • Firm stems • Tightly closed tips • Free of wrinkles with a nice glow Tightly closed deep green, blue-green, or purple-green buds • Bright color (can be green, purple, or white depending on variety) • Firm stem (avoid mushiness) • Yellow/open buds or woody stems indicates they are no longer fresh • Heavy for its size • The more fresh, the less smelly 9 July-October E February-June A October-April Sources: kqedorg stonehillproduce.com northerngardener.org happyhappyvegan.com HOW to CAOK dole.com producemoms.com mushroomcouncil.com uscitrus.com .RECIPES