How to pick the freshest produce on your next grocery shop
The fruit and vegies you should be looking for.
There’s nothing worse than doing the weekly shop on a Sunday afternoon, only to discover that by Wednesday your lettuce is wilted and your carrots are sad, and there’s nothing remotely appetising about the pumpkin you picked up. This is something that’s happened to all of us who have shopped at one of Australia’s supermarket giants at some point, and it’s mostly because supermarkets are bringing in food from faraway places, and it isn’t always refrigerated.
With that in mind, here are some helpful tips that will help your spot the freshest produce no matter where you shop.
What to look for when shopping for vegetables
- Avoid fruit and vegetables with visible bruising and brokens skins.
- Green vegies should be rich in colour and crisp, avoid green vegies that are turning a little yellow or going soft
- Pick firm potatoes that have no green spots or any sprouts sticking out.
- Carrots should be bright, firm and crunchy, don’t buy them if they’re a little bendy.
- Always check the stems of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages and lettuce for rot, and avoid if you find it.
- Mushrooms should look plump and never be shrivelled or feel slick.
- When purchasing an entire pumpkin check to see if it sounds hollow when tapped and feels firm all over.
- Leafy greens such as spinach and kale should be fresh and crisp and bought from the refrigerated section.
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What to look for when shopping for fruit
- Orange should be firm, heavy and smell citrusy.
- Apples should be nice and firm, avoid any that have tiny holes in them that suggests bugs.
- Peaches, mangoes, pineapples and apricots should all smell sweet when ripe.
- Melons should feel heavy and have a hollow sound when you tap them.
- Berries can get mould quickly, so buy them when you plan to eat them.
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Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.
