How To Determine If A Fruit Is Fresh And Ripe

By Jeremy Mailman, 7th Aug 2010 | Follow this author | RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/ldj1z9sl/
Posted in Wikinut>Health>Diet & Nutrition

We can easily determine if a fruit is fresh and ripe by its fragrance or appearance. Here is a list of your favorite fruits and the secrets to get the best and the freshest.

Your favorite fruits and their secrets.

Become a fruit expert.

Apples

Pick apples that are brightly colored and no bruises. The best apples are firm or hard to the touch.

Avocados

A relatively firm avocado is ripe but is soft when gently squeezed in the palm of our hand. Ripeness cannot be determined by its color. Gently squeezing it is the best test.

Bananas

In buying bananas, it is usually best to pick those that are slightly underripe and allow them to ripen at home. The best bananas are bright yellow, have no bruises and slightly green at the stem end. Do not store your bananas in the refrigerator

Berries

Bright colored cherries are the best. Cover and store the ripe berries in the refrigerator. Do not wash and remove the stems.

Cherries

If the cherries are firm and dark in color, it is the sweetest. Refrigerate after buying and eat as soon as possible.

Grapes

Any kinds of grapes that are plump with flexible stems are the best.

Lanzones

Ripe lanzones fruits are oval or round and have thin skins with milky juice.

Mangos

If the area around the stem looks plump and round, the mango is ripe. Most mangos sold in the supermarkets aren’t ripe. We can ripen the mangos at home by leaving at room temperature for a day or two.

Melons

The secret is in the fragrance to find the sweetest melon. Check and make sure that the blossom end is somewhat indented and soft to pressure.

Oranges

The best oranges are firm and heavy with finely textured skin, Refrigerate after buying and consume within 2 weeks.

Peaches

Buy peaches that are firm. Peaches with the best flavor have a well-colored appearance. Peaches once picked, won’t get sweeter. Refrigerate after buying and consume within 5 days.

Pineapples

We can determine a well-ripened pineapple by its fragrance. They must have a small compact crown with richly colored leaves and protruding eyes. Store your pineapples away in direct sunlight.

Watermelons

The best whole watermelons are firm and smooth. To know if the watermelon is ripe without cutting it, gently knock or rap on the rind. If you hear a sound that is deep and hollow, the watermelon is ripe. When you cut it, the inside should have a bright red, firm and juicy appearance.