Fresh Fruit – How to Prevent Disappointment

One of my favorite food groups is fruit. Not just any fruit, though. It needs to be flavorful, sweet and ripe fruit. It can certainly be a challenge to find that in our supermarkets in today’s world. If you have had the privilege of tasting ripe fruit just picked off the tree, you know what I mean. So much of the fruit in our supermarkets is tasteless and mediocre. You pay good money to purchase this fruit, take it home, and then you are met with disappointment. Although you cannot do anything about the selection of fruit in the markets, you can try to pick the best of the lot. That is the subject of this Cooking Tip.

It goes without saying that you are going to get the best fruit when it is in season. We are somewhat spoiled as we can get almost any fruit at any time of the year. Just because it is for sale, though, does not mean you should purchase it. It will certainly taste better and be a better value when it is in season. That will vary based on where you live. Here is a calendar of in-season produce for Colorado. If you live elsewhere, check with your local department of agriculture for a similar calendar for where you live.

It is also good to know which fruits continue to ripen after they are picked and which do not. Here is a chart from the University of Nebraska extension office. Some fruits, such as pears, are meant to be picked unripe and then ripen afterward. However, the best-tasting fruits will always be those that are ripe when picked. For example, even though a peach can continue to ripen on your counter, it will not taste nearly as good as if it ripened on the tree.

Here are some General Tips for picking ripe fruit. We will look at a few specific fruits below.

• Weight – ripe fruit tends to feel heavy as compared to its size. If the fruit feels light, it is either unripe or perhaps over-ripe.
• Pressure – pressing gently on the fruit should yield some give although there are exceptions as discussed below.
• Aroma – ripe fruit should be fragrant but not overpowering.
• Color – Light green color on fruit is usually an indicator that it is not ripe.

Avocados

• The skin should be dark and firm without soft spots. Bright green is an indicator that it is not ripe and very dark green tending towards black means it is overripe. You want one that is a darker shade of green but not black.
• Avocados ripen first at the stem end. Therefore, gently press on the larger rounded end to see if it gives, which is an indication of ripeness.
• Pluck off the stem and look at the color. You want to see a nice green color, not yellow.

Berries

• The color should be bright without bruising or mold.
• They should be plump and firm.
• They should have a sweet and fruity aroma.

Cantaloupes

• The color does not change too much as it ripens although unripe ones may have a slight green tint to them.
• The best way to tell ripeness is the aroma. If it smells slightly sweet, it is most likely ripe. However, if it is a strong sweet aroma, it could be over-ripe.
• Pick one that is heavier than the others.

Figs

• As figs ripen, they will turn darker in color. Depending on the variety, it might be brown or purple. Some figs, though, remain greenish as they ripen. So, you cannot rely on color alone.
• Ripe figs are heavy for their size.
• A ripe fig will be slightly soft to the touch.
• The shelf life of figs is very short. Therefore, enjoy them while you can!

Lemons

• Choose the heaviest you can.
• They should be fairly firm but not hard.
• If you gently scratch the skin, it should smell like lemon.

Limes

• As a lime ripens, it turns from dark green to a lighter color and almost yellowish.
• It should have a lime aroma when scratched.
• It should give slightly when pressed.

Mangos

• Mangoes come in a variety of colors making color an unreliable indicator of ripeness.
• A ripe mango will give slightly when pressed.
• It should also have a slightly fruity aroma at the stem end.

Peaches

• A ripe peach should have no green around the stem. They should be yellow-orange with some red. White peaches should be off-white with a few areas of red blush.
• Although peaches will continue to ripen some after picking, they do not ripen well and do not compare to those ripened on the tree. Peaches with a green tint may not fully ripen.
• Choose peaches with fuzzy skins that are firm but yield to gentle pressure.
• They should smell like peaches.

Pears

• Pears do not change color much as they ripen although some varieties will go from green to yellow.
• Ripe pears can feel as firm as unripe ones. However, if you press the stem and it is firmly adhered to the pear, do not buy it. You want one that has a little give.
• Ripe pears will give off a mild pear aroma. If the aroma is very strong, it will most likely be over-ripe.

Pineapples

• The leaves should look fresh and dark green. Avoid dry-looking leaves.
• Avoid pineapples with soft or dark spots.
• Pineapples change from green to yellow as they ripen.
• It should be heavy for its size.
• A ripe pineapple will have a sweet aroma at the stem end.

Watermelon

• As this melon grows, part of it sits on the ground and develops a yellowish patch, which is a good indicator of ripeness. Unripe ones will have a white spot or no spot at all.
• If the melon is not too large to hold in one hand, pick it up and knock on the side of it. A ripe watermelon will sound and feel somewhat hollow.

Even with all these tips, I am sure you will have experiences like I have had. You are yearning for a delightful peach or a sweet cantaloupe. As you feel and look at the fruit available, you do not find any that appear or smell like they might be ripe. I do not know what you do but I walk away. I would rather not waste my money on unripe fruit that tastes of nothing.

I have been known to buy canned or bottled fruit or, depending on what I want to do with the fruit, frozen. The fruit that goes into those items is generally much riper and tastier than what you often find in the produce section. You do, though, need to be careful about the sugar content, including added sugar, of canned and bottled items. If the item says “no sugar added”, it will still most likely be packed in fruit juice. Many also will add an artificial sweetener to the product. Read the nutritional facts label before purchasing.

So, yes, buying fruit in the supermarket or even at farmer’s markets can be a disappointing experience. But, when you find those ripe gems, it is a great day!