Here are our top 5 tips to help you on your journey to finding the best, most ripe and delicious summer produce!
1. ‘Tis the season to pick fruit.
Buying produce during its peak season ensures that you’re getting local produce, meaning that your fruit is spending less time traveling to your home town. The farther the produce has to travel, the more likely it’ll go bad once it’s in your possession.
2. The stem says it all!
Dry, shriveled stems indicate that the fruit is old. A green stem accompanied by firm fruit, which is securely attached to the stem, indicates freshness.
3. Listen to nature.
Nature has its own way of letting you know that it’s not good to eat. Just as the most colorful animals might be a sign of being poisonous for other animals to eat, so is food’s signal to us. Mold is a clear sign to stay away! Do not buy fruit that has any mold on it. Even if you see some fruit in a bunch of berries or grapes that has mold on it, be safe and keep on looking. If all the produce in the market looks moldy or old, it might be an indication that it was picked from the farm a while ago and not the optimal produce for you to pick.
4. Picky hands can be damaging if not careful.
Just as you should avoid picking bruised, spotted, or damaged produce, you should also be mindful not to be the source of the bruising itself. Be gentle when handling the fruit, especially if you are testing for weight or firmness.
5. Trust your senses!
Our sense of smell can tell us which fruit is fragrant. A ripe smelling fruit is a good sign it’s ready. Sour smelling fruit indicates produce that’s gone bad and should not be picked/bought. Our sense of touch is also helpful when deciding which fruit is best. Arm yourself with information on which ones should feel “firm” firm (like apples and pears) and which should feel “soft” firm (like peaches). Also, a heavy feeling fruit is a great sign of an excellent piece of produce!
Take a look at our tips on How to Tell When Produce is Ripe and Ready for more information!
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