Some fruits and vegetables just scream out “Hey, I’m ready to eat!” while others are a little harder to figure out if they are ready to cut in to and enjoy. Here are some tips to help.
When you see red cherries or pick up a peach you just know - these fruits are ripe! But what about melons and pineapples? How do you know if that mango or cantaloupe that you want to add to your fruit salad is ready to eat or not?
Here are some tips that will help you choose the freshest produce.
Citrus Fruit 🍊
Citrus fruits are ripe when they appear smooth, shiny and vibrant in color. The zesty smell you get when the fruit is nearby is a sure sign they‘re ready to eat.
Mangoes, Papayas, Pineapples 🍍
Mangoes are soft and emanate a fragrant scent when they are at their peak ripeness. Papayas are ripe when their color is mostly yellow. For pineapples, you can gently tug on the spiky leaves at the top and if they come out easily that means the fruit is ready to eat.
Melons 🍈
Melons, when ripe, such as cantaloupe or honeydew will have a subtle sweet smell. For watermelons, a good indicator is knocking on it and listening for a hollow sound. If it sounds hollow, it’s ripe!
Berries 🍓
Strawberries, blueberries or cherries should be plump with no wrinkles and a deep rich color to indicate a ripe berry. The same goes for grapes however you can also check the stem, if it’s green and flexible, you’ve found yourself a winner bunch!
Asparagus
Green, purple or white, ripe asparagus is bright in color. Also make sure the stalks are smooth and round and that the tips are closed tightly.
Cruciferous (cabbage family) vegetables 🥦
When choosing brussel sprouts go for ones that look like a tight, compact cluster of green flower buds. Broccolis are best when they’re deep green in color and have tightly packed florets. Fresh cauliflowers have bright green leaves enclosing creamy-white florets.
Nightshades 🍅
Tomatoes, eggplants and peppers are all considered nightshades. They are ready to eat when they are waxy, shiny and rich in color.
The Bottom Line
Fruits 🍒 and vegetables 🥦are an important part of a healthy diet. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium. They’re an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestive problems. A diet high in fibre can promote a healthy intestinal track. To read more about fruits and vegetables 🥗 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day/why-5-a-day/ . Visit us at www.EnergyGlow.ca and check out our blog page for recipes and healthy tips. Follow us 👉 on Facebook and Instagram @energyglownutrition 🌳
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