How To Choose Fresh Fruits
- Check the skin - it should be smooth, and free from any bruises and discoloration. Fruits with visible damage to their exterior spoil quicker.
- Feel the fruit - it should not be too soft or squashy.
- Take a whiff - concentrate on the blossom end of the fruit -- the opposite side of where the stem was. Fresh fruit emits a pleasant smell which is a sign of ripeness.
- Test the weight - a heavy fruit is a good indicator of ripeness. This means that it has reached its fill maturity.
How to Store Fruits
1. Most fruits should not be washed if they are not going to be consumed yet. The extra moisture can lead to molds.
2. Isolate fruits such as bananas, apples and pears. The natural ripening agents that these fruits release will cause nearby food to spoil faster.
3. Keep berries inside a container, and store them in the refrigerator.
4. Apples and melons can be kept unrefrigerated for a week.
5. Citrus fruits such as oranges kept in the refrigerator can last up to six weeks.