How Do I Know if My Produce Is Fresh?

There’s nothing more disappointing than coming home from the grocery store after picking up fresh produce, only to find that it’s either not as fresh as you’d hoped, or that you’ll have to wait a week before you can eat it. Choosing fresh fruit and vegetables in Alexandria, IN is easy when you know what to look for—and, of course, you can always ask the staff at Horner’s Midtown Market for help selecting produce at the peak of ripeness and freshness.

Here are our best tips to help you pick the right produce. We’d also be glad to help you pick out just-right produce in the store!

Tips for selecting fresh fruit

Generally, your fruit should be firm when you squeeze it, but still yield a little. Fresh fruit in Alexandria, IN should smell fragrant and sweet, but not overpoweringly so—that’s a sign that your fruit is on the way out:

  • Stone fruit: Look for brown spots or dents, which will lead to rotting. For cherries, make sure that their skin is smooth and full, not wrinkled.
  • Apples and pears: Apples and pears should feel firmer than ripe stone fruit. Like stone fruit, however, you should avoid fruit with dents and brown spots.
  • Berries: Carefully inspect your berry container for signs of mold—generally, when one berry gets moldy, it spreads to the others very quickly.
  • Melons: Look for melons that feel like they’re heavier than they should be for their size—that indicates juiciness—and don’t worry if there’s a little scarring on one or two areas of the skin. That was likely caused by the fruit resting on the vine.
  • Citrus: Again, look for fruits that seem heavier than they should be. Avoid any that are dented, scarred or showing signs of mold.
  • Pineapple: Pineapples should feel particularly heavy, and their scent should be quite strong near the bottom of the fruit.

How to pick great vegetables

Generally, look for firm, crisp vegetables with uniform color and no dark or dented spots:

  • Root vegetables: Look for firm flesh, crisp roots and no sign of wilting or soft spots.
  • Leafy greens: Avoid wilting or torn leaves throughout the entire head of greens. If you see brown spots, skip that head. The stalk should also be firm and crisp.
  • Broccoli and cauliflower: Color is a good indication of the freshness here—look for light green or off-white vegetables with no yellowing or brown spots.
  • Corn: The husk should be green, not dry or yellow, and the kernels should look firm and plump, not shriveled.
  • Bell peppers: Look for consistent color and smooth skin. The stems should not be split, nor should there be any sort of brown spots or denting.

Getting the best produce is easy when you shop at high-quality stores like Horner’s Midtown Market. Our selection of fresh fruits and vegetables in Alexandria, IN is one of the best around. We’re always happy to help you pick the cream of the crop when you visit. Stop by and see us today or place your order online!

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