12 tricks when buying fruits and vegetables

There is nothing worse than buying “fresh” fruits and vegetables and finding that they are bruised or after you cut them open you find rotten spots on them.

But fortunately, there is always a “but” and we will present you with a few simple steps to protect yourself from buying a bad product in the future.

1. Pineapple

When it comes to pineapple, look for a golden color and a sweet aroma. The first sign of ripeness of a pineapple is its color. It should be golden-brown, without many green spots at the base.

Also, the sweet smell indicates the ripeness of this fruit. If a pineapple does not smell, it is not yet ripe, and if it smells slightly sour, it is overripe.

2. Melon

If you want to buy a really ripe melon, look for the heavy sweet smell. But be careful, because if the smell is too rich, it is a sign that the melon is overripe. The most reliable indication of the ripeness of a melon is to gently push it into the stem, and if it goes in just a little, then it is ready to eat.

3. Eggplant

Each part of an eggplant tells how ripe it really is, but most people go by the stem and the cap when it comes to freshness. If they are bright green, the eggplant is still fresh.

If they have started to turn yellow or have brown tints, then this vegetable has already passed the phase of use. A telltale sign that an eggplant is ready to eat is its dark blue, purple color on the surface.

4. Watermelon

A watermelon sounds hollow when tapped and feels solid and heavy when ripe. Its weight indicates that it is full of water, therefore it is ripe and ready to eat. Another sign is to check the bottom of the fruit, if there is a yellow or light spot, it means you are about to buy something really fresh.

5. Tomato

Most people judge tomatoes by their color, but sometimes the color is deceiving. The best test is to touch the tomato and if it shrinks just a little it’s fully ripe, if it doesn’t it needs a few more days and if it shrinks too much it’s useless.

6. Corn

To tell if a corn is edible, try to see the threads coming out of its husk – they should look like silk. And if the shell is green and not dry, it’s the perfect cob!

7. Mangoes

You cannot tell a ripe from an unripe mango by color. The only way is to do the touch test we mentioned above with tomatoes. Only then can you be sure of what you are about to buy.

8. Strawberries

Strawberries are recognized by their aroma. If they smell sweet, they’re probably ripe and really juicy and delicious, and if they don’t smell anything, they’re probably either overripe or need a few more days.

9. Melon

The only way to recognize this fruit is by its color. It should be waxy with golden hues.

10. Avocado

Due to the presence of different varieties of avocado, it cannot be recognized by color alone. For this, we recommend testing the avocado by touch, but unlike tomatoes and mangoes, here you should use the palm of your hand, not your fingers, to avoid damaging the fruit.

11. Peach

Just look at which side of the peach is red – that’s where it had direct contact with the sun. And on the opposite side, the peach should be yellow. Be sure that there are no green spots on it and only then you can safely buy the fruit.

12. Plum

Plums cannot be recognized by their color. If you are looking for ripeness in a plum, touch it with your finger, and if its skin is smooth and soft – buy with confidence. All other signs make the fruit unusable.