Use These 11 Tricks To Pick The Freshest Fruits, Everytime

Is there anything better than a juicy slice of watermelon on a hot summer day? How about the perfect pear, so full of flavor you’d swear it was hand-picked by mother nature? Before you can enjoy your delicacies, you need to know what to look for when choosing your fruit. You won’t find a set of instructions in your produce aisle, so we hope to help you take guessing out of the equation.

Here’s your one stop guide for picking your favorite fruits at their prime ripeness.

1. Watermelon: look at its skin.

produce guide
produce guide

Find the “field spot.” This yellow spot shows where the watermelon was sitting. When it is ready to be eaten, the spot should be a yellow-orange color instead of white.

2. Oranges: color doesn’t matter.

grappler gourmet
grappler gourmet

Oranges can be misleading when they are sometimes injected with coloring. Feel for a firm, substantial orange with a smooth peel.

3. Apples: timing matters.

theodysseyonline
theodysseyonline

The apple should be tough with a rich hue. The best apples are found during apple season– late summer to early winter.

4. Grapefruit: use your hands, not your eyes.

organic facts
organic facts

A grapefruit’s color doesn’t tell you when it’s ripe. Instead, find one with a thin peel with a tough but bendy texture.

5. Pears: they need some time.

liversupport
liversupport

Usually pears won’t be ready to eat yet when they reach the produce section, so find some that feel stiff and appear without large spots. (Tiny brown flecks are fine) Pears will need a couple days to ripen before you can enjoy.

6. Strawberries: it’s all about the color.

greenblender
greenblender

Look for a dark red color and a glossy skin. Also note that larger berries usually suffer in flavor compared to smaller ones.

7. Bananas: yellow means go.

 

stay on the healthy path
stay on the healthy path

Bananas are ripe when they are yellow. If you don’t plan on eating them for a couple days, buy them while they are green. If you want to make an already ripe banana last longer, pop it in the fridge.

8. Grapes: like them sweet?

wallpaperscraft
wallpaperscraft

The sweetest grapes have either a yellow or a deep red hue. Pick grapes that feel firm and that are on stems.

9. Blueberries: examine these closely.

sierracascadeblueberrie
sierracascadeblueberrie

Their color should be bright and their skin should be dry. Look for warning signs of water and moisture.

10. Plums: give them a squeeze.

organic facts
organic facts

They should feel slightly firm, but bendy when you give them a light squeeze. If they are too hard, don’t take them home. Look for fruit with a deep coloring.

11. Mangoes: follow your nose.

mango.org
mango.org

Ripe mangoes should have a yellow coloring, and will feel smooth. They will also produce a sweet smell.

With these fool-proof tricks, you can fearlessly enjoy your most favorite fruits. So what are you waiting for? Get started on making the world’s best fruit salad!

Share these tips and tricks with family and friends.