Guide For Picking the Ripest Juiciest Best Fruit

Bananas  should be slightly under ripe. You are looking for bright yellow, no bruising and slightly green on the stem end. Do not put in the refrigerator.


Plums and Peaches are good for about five days in the fridge. When you first bite into it and the juice is the perfect sweetness. Pick fruits that have a rich color. A solid soft (my words) when you hold it. You want your fruit to be firm but not hard to the touch. No mushy, no shriveled, no bruising, no cuts and no brown spots.

Apples should have no bruises or cuts. A firm or hard feel in your hand. Look for bright colors. Refrigeration not required unless they are cut up. To decrease the browning, squeeze lemon juice all over.

Pineapples are best stored at 70 degrees away form sunlight. They will not ripen any further. Smell the pineapple's butt (stem end for those with no sense of humor). A sweet fragrance detected means you hit the jackpot. But if there is no smell or a fermented one, steer clear. Opt for a small compact crown with rich green leaves. Pineapples are usually available all year round, but March is when you will find the sweetest. Once cut up refrigeration will be required but they will deteriorate quickly.

Grapes need to get into the refrigerator as soon as possible. Do not wash them, just leave them in the bag they were purchased in..Wash them under cold water when you are ready to eat them. In the store make sure the bunch has all over even color. They should be plump and firmly attached to a flexible stem.

Oranges are firm and heavy with finely textured skin. There are several different kinds and they can be refrigerated for two weeks. Naval oranges are good for eating and most popular. Roll your orange in a circular motion on the table or counter right before peeling. Pulp gets juicier and peeling will be easier.

Watermelon is a big favorite of mine. Going in blind has produced some real stinkers in the past. Not anymore. I picked out the sweetest, most best, delicious watermelon the other night at the store. Use these tips like I did and you will fall in love with watermelon all over again.

• White streaks on the melon indicate a less sweet fruit.
• A deep thump will be heard if you gently knock on the outside rind.
• The surface should be firm and smooth.
• On the underside is the yellowish or cream white area that touch the ground. A bigger area means the watermelon was not picked until fully ripe at maximum sweetness. 
• Inside should be bright red, firm and juicy with mostly black seeds.
• Stem should be shriveled and ready to fall off. 
• I find I have the most luck picking one that is medium sized and oblong shape.

Nectarines are orange, yellow and red at their best. Store at room temp until they soften and ripen. After that store in the refrigerator for no more than five days.

Cantaloupes are ripe with yellowish, thick coarse veining. Avoid a surface that is too soft. A sweet fragrance should be noticeable. Check the blossom end is indented and slightly soft to pressure. 

Honeydews are the best with a creamy white or yellowish white smooth skin. A sweet fragrance will be found also. Surface should not be too soft. 

There you have it. Please let me know about the ones I have left out.