How to choose the right melon … and other tips for fruit

Ripe fruit is easier to digest, and is tastier and sweeter, because it contains more fructose (fruit sugars). To choose the perfect piece, the first thing you need to keep in mind is that fruit has to be in season, because that is when it is ripe. If you still have doubts, here are some tips to choose the best fruit:

MELON

In three steps you’ll have the best melon: first, choose one with very stripy skin. Then press gently with your thumb at the centre, where the stalk is. If it pushes in a little, it is ripe. Lastly, if you are hesitating between two or more pieces, choose the heavier one, because it will contain more water and therefore will be riper.

WATERMELON

To choose a good watermelon you have to activate your sense of hearing. Tap it with your fist to know if it is ripe. If it sounds hollow, it is ripe and ready to eat. Its weight is also important. The heavier, the better.

PINEAPPLE

If you want a good pineapple, it is very easy. Try to pull out one of the inside leaves of the fruit. If it pulls out easily, the pineapple is ripe. But if you want to make sure it’s the pinapple for you, you just have to smell it. If it has a sweet, intense smell, you’ll have a top dessert.

To maintain a balanced diet it is recommended to eat between 4 and 5 pieces of fruit a day.

CHERRIES

Cherries are the only fruit with pips which do not ripen after being picked, so you have to be careful when buying them. They have to be shiny, round, hard and dark red to almost black. Also they must not be very small (under 2 centimetres diameter). If they meet these requirements, enjoy some good seasonal cherries.

AVOCADO

If it is dark and slightly soft, it’s the perfect avocado. However, be careful, because if it is too soft it might be black inside. On the other hand, a green, hard avocado is not ready to eat. Here’s a tip: if you want it to ripen quickly, wrap it in newspaper and leave it in the fruit bowl for a few days, and it’ll be ready.

MANGO AND PAPAYA

The yellow colour is key to buying these tropical fruits. If you buy them green, they will need a few days to ripen.

PEACHES

Peaches must be neither stained nor bruised, as the flesh is very delicate and is easily damaged. The colour is very important. Red peaches and nectarines must be dark red, almost purple, because a shiny red colour is the sign that they are unripe. As for yellow peaches, they must be an intense yellow colour, without any green patches.

GRAPES

To know if a bunch of grapes is ripe you only have to shake it gently. If the grapes do not stay on the stalk, the fruit is overripe. Green grapes must be slightly yellow, while red grapes must be dark purple, almost black.