How to Choose the Most Ripe Fall Fruits and Vegetables

While summer is known to yield tempting fresh fruits, autumn brings the harvest of many hearty fruits and vegetables that should not be overlooked. As temperatures drop and summer draws to a close, here are some tips to find the best in-season fall produce at your local store or farmers market.

What fruits and vegetables should you look out for in the produce section this autumn? Popular produce that ripens during fall includes:

• Apples
• Grapes
• Pears
• Broccoli
• Squash
• Pumpkin
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cauliflower

It’s generally easy to spot displays of in-season produce, however, picking the freshest fruits and veggies may pose more of a challenge. Here are tips to ensure you’re receiving the greatest amount of nutrients from your fruits and vegetables:

Smell – Ripe produce should produce a faint, pleasing aroma. A strong smell, especially one that is sour or stinky, usually indicates fruits and vegetables have been sitting out for too long.

Color – Dark marks or spots on fruits and vegetables are generally a sign of bruising or spoilage.  Avoid any discolored or splotchy produce, and look for fruits and veggies with even coloration.

Texture – Fruits and vegetables should have a smooth texture and be firm. Rock hard produce is not yet ripe and too-soft produce is most likely past its prime.  While fruits should have a little give, most vegetables are best as firm as possible. Crisp and plump leaves are a good indicator of ripe leafy vegetables.  Tears and scratches are generally a bad sign.    

Overall, you should trust your senses when choosing produce to add to your cart. Look, smell and feel your fruits and vegetables before making your selections.

Here at Juice Plus+, we can’t wait to dig-in to fresh fall produce. What are some of your best tips for choosing ripe fruits and veggies?