 Pick Perfect Produce
By Tracy Gensler, M.S., R.D., Best Life nutritionist
If you tend to find a crisper drawer full of wrinkled, bruised fruit just days after hitting the grocery store, you may need a refresher course in how to choose the ripest produce. All you have to do is use your eyes, nose and hands (and the chart below) to figure out which picks you should take home and which you should leave behind. Note: In some cases, you'll need to leave the fruit out a day or two on your counter to give it a chance to reach peak ripeness. For instance, a mango can slightly give to the touch at the store. You don't always have to buy perfectly ripe, but you never want to buy it overripe. And remember, the more fresh fruit you have laying around, the more likely it is that you'll eat it!
One quick tip on washing: Make sure to rinse fruit under cool running water for about two minutes, using your hands to scrub the surface a bit. Then, pat dry with a paper towel and refrigerate. That way, it's ready to eat when you're hungry. The one exception to this rule is berries, which should be washed just before eating; they tend to deteriorate after they're washed. Finally, you should wash any fruit with a thick skin (like honeydew or cantaloupe) because cutting into it can introduce bacteria and pesticide residue to the fruit.
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FRUIT
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TAKE IT IF:
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LEAVE IT IF:
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Apples
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They're firm to the touch with no bruises
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They feel cushiony when squeezed hard or have a loose stem that's mushy at the base; this means there's rot in the core
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Apricots
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They have a golden color and are firm to the touch, but not too hard
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They are rock hard, very soft and/or shriveled
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Cantaloupe
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It has a delicate aroma, yellow-tinged skin, a thick, textured rind with netting. It’s OK if it gives very slightly on the bottom.
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It has a pungent aroma or cushiony spots when squeezed firmly
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Grapes
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They're tender and plump. (Just-picked green grapes have a slight amber blush.)
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They have a greenish tinge (for red or black grapes), or they're cushiony with shriveled skins
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Honeydew
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It has a delicate, pleasant aroma and a creamy yellow rind
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It's green on the rind or has a pungent aroma
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Mangoes
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They're solid, smooth and firm to the touch, and have black-speckled skin. If you want them ripe to eat that day, they should give very slightly to the touch.
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They're shriveled, soft or cushiony
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Nectarines/Peaches
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They're plump, feel firm or have a slight cushion when squeezed, and have a white or yellow color with a red blush
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They’re shriveled and/or very soft when squeezed
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Oranges
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They are heavy and firm with smooth, textured skin
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They have a rough, textured skin, or are light in weight
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Pears
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They have a slight cushion when squeezed, and are a creamy-yellow-to-red color
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They are rock hard, have multiple bruises, or the stem yields to pressure
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Plums
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They have a slight cushion when squeezed, and a rich, deep color
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They are rock hard or shriveled, and have a washed-out color
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Strawberries
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They're firm, shiny and have a rich, red color
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They're pink or very dark red and mushy, or they have a dull sheen or large seeds, which are early signs of spoilage
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Watermelon
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It has a cream-colored underside and a symmetrical shape
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It is misshapen or has cushiony spots when squeezed hard
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