How do you pick fruit?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/2/2006 11:02:12 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

ross415 writes:

 

I like bananas and oranges. That's it. My question is, how do

you pick good fruit - how do you know you're getting a good-tasting

apple or cantaloupe or watermelon?

 

 

I still can't tell with cantelope. I just cross my fingers and hope for the

best. With watermelon I like the seedless kind, even though they are more

expensive. Bananas are pretty easy. with apples I like granny smith, if I can't

get some Empire or Jonagold from my DH's family apple orchard in upstate NY.

Grapes and cherries are pretty much in season or just nasty. Some of the

canned fruit is good, pineapple, mandarin oranges, peaches (if I haven't had

time

to can my own.) Hope that helps. AmyF

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I have never liked fruit, but I need to start trying it. At the

moment, I like bananas and oranges. That's it. My question is, how do

you pick good fruit - how do you know you're getting a good-tasting

apple or cantaloupe or watermelon? I know that's a stupid question,

but my mother always picked out the fruit, never taught me, and now

she's gone. Help??

[Guest guest]

Hi AW,

 

It's not a stupid question. It's hard to tell sometimes and I have

had many disappointing apples & dry oranges from big supermarkets.

 

Bananas and oranges are good! Think about how you pick those - what

you consider appetizing and attractive about these oranges vs some

others & I bet you already have fruit-picking skills you haven't

thought about

 

Buy organic if you can get it; there is a big taste difference,

especially in things with high water content like melons. In general

you're looking for healthy-looking fruits -- skins should be firm, not

wrinkly on apples. A few little spots don't matter; you can cut those

off but there shouldn't be any mushy spots under the skin.

 

All fruits should smell good. Don't be shy, sniff away Big

supermarkets wax their fruit, yuck, so you won't smell much but if you

buy from fruit stands or small markets or farmer's markets, you can

smell things just walking by.

 

Cantaloupes should be firm and heavy. Smell the place where the stem

was attached - it should smell like fresh melon a little bit if it's

ready to eat. If the skin looks pretty green under the part that

looks like embroidery, it's not ready to eat yet but should ripen up

soon.

 

Berries can't be picked until they're ready and begin to degrade

immediately so they are all about transport. Buy local. Berries

should be plump and firm and not mushy. Turn over the container and

look carefully for moldy ones in the middle. I will open containers

and take out icky ones if I see them, or ask the seller to do it for

me. I work hard for my money and I refuse to waste it on bad food.

 

Grapes are similar to berries, lots of natural sugar so they degrade

fast. They are fun to freeze and eat!

 

A cool thing about little fruit stands is the ppl are there to ask and

are very helpful and informative and sometimes will give samples yum.

 

I can't help you with watermelon; I hate watermelon

 

Enjoy fruit; it's yummy and healthy and fun to eat.

Peace,

Diane

 

 

, " A.W. Ross " <ross415

wrote:

>

> I have never liked fruit, but I need to start trying it. At the

> moment, I like bananas and oranges. That's it. My question is, how do

> you pick good fruit - how do you know you're getting a good-tasting

> apple or cantaloupe or watermelon? I know that's a stupid question,

> but my mother always picked out the fruit, never taught me, and now

> she's gone. Help??

>

[Guest guest]

-A.W.Ross,

I can help you out with melons as they are locally grown here. For

cantaloupes choose a firm melon that has no green color. IT should be a

slightly pale orange-yellow color. Touch the end that was once

connected to the vine and if it soft to touch it is good. This is the

most important thing in choosing a melon like cantaloupe. Smell the end

that was connected to the vine and if it has a sweet odor of cantaloupe

it is a good one. Allow the melon to sit on the counter for a day or

two then refrigerate or cut and eat. You can tell a good watermellon by

lightly thumping it with your hand. If it makes a good hollow-echo

sound it is a good ripe melon. This is a good year for melons. They are

extra sweet due to the hot weather.

Deanna

-- In , " A.W. Ross " <ross415 wrote:

>

> I have never liked fruit, but I need to start trying it. At the

> moment, I like bananas and oranges. That's it. My question is, how do

> you pick good fruit - how do you know you're getting a good-tasting

> apple or cantaloupe or watermelon? I know that's a stupid question,

> but my mother always picked out the fruit, never taught me, and now

> she's gone. Help??

>

[Guest guest]

Go to your farmers market and try samples! I may not have bought those

delicious nectarines and grapes last week had I not tasted how good they were!

If you don't have a farmers market nearby, move! Just kidding. When I pick

bananas, I try to get them when they're just a little greenish so they don't get

over-ripe during the week. Apples, I've tried different varieties until I found

certain ones I like better, like Pink Ladies. Other fruit, depending on when

you want to eat it, should be slightly soft, not mushy yet not rock hard. And

it should smell good.

Also try & get organic. Those aren't wax-coated, messed with, etc and should

have a more natural, sweet flavor.

Ok, gonna go cut up my nectarine now! :-)

Cindi