You already know eating more producebothvegetables and fruitsis considered a key to a healthier life.
But is all produce truly created equal?
Well, as you’re about to learn with these warning signs, they’re not!
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Now, you’re going to be fully armed with the keys to knowingexactlyhow to spot the perfect produce.
Here are 26 secret signs your produce went bad.
And for more wisdom, here are30 Simple Tricks to Make Your Produce Last Longer.
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It’s brown underneath the stem of an avocado.
1 trick to ascertainingan avocado’s ripenesslies right under its stem.
If it’s brown underneath the stem (or black), then it’s overripe.
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Want to verify your avocados last long enough for you to make somehomemade guac?
Here’sThe Simple Trick That Keeps Avocados Fresh.
Tomatoes are too squishy or too firm.
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When you give a tomato a light squeeze, it should have a little give.
If your tomato is either too squishy or wrinkled, its a secret sign it’s gone bad.
Melon sounds dull when you thump it.
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Thumping a melon is an age-old trick.
If you whack the side of the melon and hear a hollow inside, it’s ready and ripe.
If you thump it and it sounds dull inside, pass on that melon.
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Onions smell more pungent than usual.
OKthis one’s a weird one because onions always smell, well, oniony.
But if they smell particularly onion-y, then that’s an indicator they have gone bad.
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Youwillbe able to tell the difference, that’s for sure.
Produce is significantly smaller than its counterparts.
You’ll want to forego any piece of produce that is significantly smaller than the rest of its kind.
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Smaller produce usually indicates it was harvested too early.
Produce that has been harvested prematurely won’t ripen the way it should.
Produce is significantly bigger than its counterparts.
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Similarly, it’s not always a good idea to pick the biggest produce either.
Kale should be a dark, vibrant green color.
If kale looks pale green or even yellow, it will turn brown sooner rather than later.
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Once the leaves wilt, they will start to leak liquid, causing a gone-bad stench.
Limes feel light.
Pick up a lime.
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Is it heavy or lighter than the rest?
If a lime feels hollow or light or has brown spots, it’s past its prime.
Berries smell too sweet.
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To test the ripeness of berries, give ‘em a quick sniff.
Grapes appear pale.
Grapes should be dark-colored in appearance.
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Grapes that are pale-colored aren’t as fresh or ripe.
If grapes are discolored, appear withered, or look brown, it might be worth tossing them.
Zucchini is not firm when squeezed.
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Zucchini should be a little firm to the touch.
If it feels too mushy when squeezed, skip sauteeing it and consider adding it to soup.
Plums are too squishy or too firm.
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Plums are another key in of produce that shouldn’t be either too squishy or too firm.
Visible mold in berry container.
Any produce has brown spots.
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Produce of any kind shouldn’t have brown spots.
Any produce feels mushy to the touch.
Strawberries smell like mold.
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Give your strawberries a smell.
Do they smell fresh and sweet?
Do they smell like mold or are growing mold?
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That’s a no-go.
Speaking of mold,Here’s When It’s OK to Eat Moldy FoodAnd When It’s Not.
Banana peel feels thick to the touch.
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Potatoes smell bitter.
Potatoesthat are ready to be eaten should smell earth-like and starchy.
When potatoes start to go bad, they can give off a bitter smell.
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Oranges feel light.
The juicier the orange, the higher the water content.
You’ll be able to tell if an orange is adequately juicy if it feels heavy in your hand.
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To keep oranges good for longer, you might keep them in the fridge.
Nectarines don’t smell fragrant.
It should give off a fragrant and sweet scent.
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If the nectarine isn’t properly ripened, it will give off virtually no smell at all.
Asparagus has dark green or black tips.
As asparagus goes bad, the tips of the vegetable start to darken.
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First, they’ll turn dark green and then eventually, black.
Bell peppers have wrinkles.
Ripe bell peppers have a firm skin.
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If the bell pepper is so soft its skin feels slimy, mold is close to developing.
Grapefruit feels light.
Like its citrus counterparts limes and oranges, grapefruit should feel heavy in your hand.
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Mushrooms smell like fish.
But believe it or not, it’s true.
To put mushrooms to the test, simply give ‘em a whiff.
If they smell more like salmon than they do veggies, then you’ll definitely want to pass.
