Tips for Selecting the Best Produce

While many vegetables and fruits are grown year-round, each different variety have a preferred buying period during which the produce is generally more flavorful and less expensive.

While many fruits and vegetables are grown all year, there are still some times and seasons when they are at their peak. Having the ability to select the best quality fruits and vegetables in and out of season is a skill that can be difficult to master, especially if you do not know what to look for.

To make this process easier, there are some specifics you should look for when trying to select the freshest and most ripe fruits and vegetables. Because there are so many varieties of produce, we have provided you a list of the most common fruits and vegetables and how to select the best ones.

Tips for selecting the best produce

  • Apples: Choose fruits that are deeply colored, firm, naturally shiny, and heavy for their size.
  • Cantaloupes: Choose fruits that are fragrant and cream or golden in color (not green). Avoid fruits with soft spots, although the end opposite the stem should be slightly soft.
  • Grapefruits: Choose fruits that have smooth, thin skins and are heaviest for their size. They should feel firm but slightly springy to the touch. Don’t worry about color.
  • Lemons and Limes: Choose fruits that are fragrant and heaviest for their size. Avoid fruits that are shriveled.
  • Strawberries: Choose berries that are fragrant, uniformly red (not yellow or green), and shiny with fresh green tops. Also check the bottom of the basket to make sure there aren’t any crushed or spoiled berries.
  • Watermelons: Choose fruits that are firm and heavy and sound hollow when thumped. A properly ripened watermelon should have a yellow spot on one side where it sat on the ground.

Following these tips will ensure you get the most from your produce selections. Although these are only some of the most common produce items, you can get more tips on how to select other varieties by contacting Sunny Produce in McAllen by calling 956-971-9393.