How do you know when a fruit is ripe? Many people are interested in eating healthier foods in January. Whether it be your New Year’s resolution or a lifestyle change, an easy way to achieve this goal is to add more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet.
When ripe, fresh fruit can add color and flavor to any meal. Some people may be trying to live more plant-based for the first time in their lives but are not really sure how to tell when a fruit is ripe. They aren’t all as easy or subjective as a banana!
Fresh fruit is brighter!
Most of this information is about apples, but much of it carries over into other fresh fruit like plums, peaches, and even oranges. Just don’t squeeze a nectarine the same way you would an apple!
Sometimes all you can do is bite an apple. After all, the only way to really taste test an apple is to taste it. However, there are some signs to look for when selecting them that can make the eating part more enjoyable.
First, check out the color. Apples that are brightly-colored have received the most sunlight and are more ready-to-eat. This is especially true in red varieties. If you have a winner, check it for firmness. Apples should be firm and have an elasticity to them, but they should not have wrinkles when you squeeze.
Remember that most produce is best when you are the one selecting it. It may be difficult to pick out a good apple from a group of bad, but it’s very easy to find a bad one amongst a group of good ones.
Another tip: bad apples don’t smell good. In other words, fresh, flavorful apples smell good. Some varieties like the Gala have a stronger aroma than other types. Often times at Thirdleaf NW, we will open a case of fruit and be overcome by the aroma coming from the box!
We would love to provide your office with fresh fruit along with other healthy snacks. We deliver and fully stock our products. If you would like to see our service in action, we’d love to provide you with a free trial!