A cup of tea with Margo

This blog is all about the things in life so many of us need to slow down and enjoy, such as, family, the seasons, food, music, and whatever else causes inspiration. I hope to write as often as I can and it is my desire for you to be able to take a break and enjoy my entries with a cup of tea.

How to Pick Your Summer Fruit RSS

  Friday, May 27, 2011

I love summer fruit and picking out the juiciest ones I can to put in salad, desserts, or just for popping them plain. We have a large selection of fruit here in Oklahoma , but trouble is... a lot of people don’t really know how to choose the fruit when they’re at their peak.

Here are some ideas I use personally and at the Pink House:

Blueberries. Look for deep purple berries that are smooth and wrinkle free. If they’re soft and watery,  it means they’re too ripe. Avoid containers that are stained which may indicate bruised fruit or ones that could possibly be moldy.

Peaches. I absolutely love peaches and can’t wait for their season. Look for smooth skin and a heavy feel to the peach. Ripe fruit will give off that sweet peach aroma and will have a soft texture but not mushy. For best flavor, it’s better not to store in the fridge.

Cataloupe. You’re looking for a nice shape that’s round with a nice golden color. A ripe fruit will give off a nice mild aroma. If you buy it green, then just store it at room temp for a couple days and it will ripen on its own.

Strawberries. Plump, bright red berries are the choicest fruit. Look for fresh, green leaves and be sure to discard any bruised or damaged berries. Now I ask you... is anything better than sweet red strawberries in the summer?

 Watermelons. With watermelons, you want to look for firmness. The trick is in the thump you give it...if it gives a hollow sound you know it’s ripe. The outer rind also needs to have a dull look to it, not dark green.

Hope this helps. Summer will soon be here, and it’s a great time to enjoy the fruit of the season.

Blessings,

Margo