How to Pick Ripe Produce From a Farmer's Market

You can find great deals and fantastic local produce at farmer's markets. Sometimes, though, the produce isn't the ripest, and you should know how to tell when it isn't.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Feel the produce. Most produce is very hard when it is not yet ripe. Produce with just a little give is better.

2. Check the color. Produce is supposed to have rich, vibrant color, in the appropriate shades. If a piece of produce has a pale color or is green, pass it over for something with more color.

3. When you get the produce home, and start to use it, take mental notes of how the best tasting produce looks and feels. Also take note on how the bad ones look and feel. Nothing compares to experience when it comes to produce.

Tips & Warnings

• Overly ripe produce will be squishy and overly juicy.
• Avoid any produce with white or black powder on the skin. This could be mold or dry rot.