How to pick perfect fruit and vegetables

There are few things more delicious than biting into a firm, crispy apple or experiencing the deluge of sweet yet acidic seeds after sinking your teeth into a ripe tomato. Picking the freshest, most flavoursome fruit and vegetables is also the secret ingredient of many a top chef.

Here’s how to pick perfect fruit and veg.

Know what’s in season and when

In-season produce tastes better, looks better and is cheaper. Studies have shown that eating seasonally is also better for your health. Buying local furit and veg is also the way to go if you want the freshest produce. If you’re unsure what is in season, ask your green grocer or print out the ‘What’s in season when chart’ at the bottom of this article and keep it in your wallet for quick reference when shopping.

Go for colour

The tastiest fruit and vegetables will have the deepest and most vibrant colours. The skin should be smooth and wrinkle-free, with no blemishes or bruises. If you notice dull colours or patches of white or green in odd places, put the item back – it either means that piece is not ripe or that it did not receive enough sun or nutrients while it was growing.

Every gram matters

Always buy produce that is heavy relative to its size. Light weight pieces tend not be as juicy as those that are heavier, so compare a few different pieces before you decide on which ones you will take home. Of course a heavier bag of produce will cost you more, but you’ll be rewarded with better tasting, juicy fruit and vegetables all week long.

Opt for firm rather than hard

Sloppy or squishy? No, thanks. Crisp and firm? Yes, please. As a general rule, fruit should be bought a little softer than vegetables but if pieces are too soft they won’t last more than a day or two before going bad. Alternately, produce that is too hard may take too long to ripen. Don’t be afraid to give each piece a gentle squeeze before you make your final selection.

Inhale the aroma

Bring each piece of produce up to your nose and take a deep breath. Then choose the items that have a light and sweet fragrance. Unripe produce will hardly smell at all – the smell will intensify as it ripens. Items that smell overly sweet will probably be too ripe and those that have a sour note about them, are a definite no-no.

Choose stiff stems and robust leaves

Leafy vegetables or fruits with stems should look healthy and be bright in colour. The fresher the produce the more upright its leaves will appear. Be careful not to select produce that looks limp, wilted or has turned brown in the places it should be green, eg. celery leaves or stems of grapes.

And remember, don’t overbuy. It’s amazing how much fruit and vegetables the average family throws out at the end of every week because we buy more food than we can eat. If you happen to run out of apples mid-week you can always make a quick trip to the corner shop.