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Avocado
Buying the perfect avocado is difficult. Usually, you can find either completely unripe, which will have to lie a few days before we can eat it (which is especially difficult when we need it for today) or overripe, which is no longer suitable for eating.
To check the degree of ripeness of the avocados, you need to press them gently. If it is soft and springy after pressing, it means that we will be able to eat it immediately after purchase. If, however, after pressing the pressure point does not return to its original state, it means that the avocado is overripe – it is better not to buy one. On the other hand, if it is hard, it obviously means that it is not ready to eat yet and we will have to wait a few days.
The degree of maturity can also be checked by pressing the peduncle itself. If it does not go inside it means the avocado is unripe, if it goes in gently it means it is perfect to eat, and if it goes too abruptly the avocado is overripe.
Color could be another clue. The more intense the peel color, the more mature the avocado is. The color will be dark green for the Fuerte variety, and the ripe fruit for the Hass variety has a dark purple skin. It is also worth looking under the peduncle. If the color under the stalk is white, the avocado is ripe, and if it is dark, it is overripe.
You can read about the benefits of avocados in the article Avocado – “fat fruit”?
Mango
Another fruit that can be difficult to purchase is mangoes. Here, however, the rules are very similar to those of the avocado. The degree of maturity test should consist of checking the hardness. If the mango is soft when pressed and you can feel the texture under your finger, then the mango is ripe and good for consumption. However, it must be remembered that the skin must be firm. If it isn’t, the mango will be overripe. The hard mango, on the other hand, is not yet fit for consumption.
Assessment of maturity can also be done by assessing the color. Mangoes should be flushed, not green. The fruit should also not be sticky. It is also worth paying attention to possible damage. Better if they are not visible on the peel. The skin should be shiny and springy. The smell should also draw our attention. It should be intense at the stalk.
You can read about the benefits of mangoes and other exotic fruits in the article Exotic fruits – is it worth trying?
Watermelon
Choosing a good watermelon can also be difficult. The more that it will not mature at home, even if we keep it for a few days. In order to choose one that will be tasty and aromatic, you need to pay attention, among others, to on its size. Ideally, the watermelon should be of medium size. The little ones are rarely mature.
It may also be helpful in assessing the degree of maturity to pay attention to the stripes visible on the skin. If the stripes are visible enough, the watermelon is unripe. The stripes should be not very distinctive – the contrast between them should not be large.
The sound test is also a good test. When you put your ear to the watermelon and pound it with your fingers, a ripe watermelon should make a booming sound, similar to the one coming from the eardrum.
It is also worth taking a look at the place where the watermelon meets the stem. If the spot is yellow, then the watermelon is fit for consumption. If, on the other hand, the color is white, it means that the watermelon has not matured.
It is easier to choose a ripe watermelon when you buy one that is cut into pieces. Then you should look at the flesh – the color should be dark red and the seeds black. The flesh must also be juicy. It is not very dry when it comes to the quality of the watermelon.
In conclusion, a ripe watermelon should be dark green, firm and firm. It must also not have any visible damage.
You can read about the benefits of watermelon in the article Watermelons on a diet.
Main photo: Photo credit: chadmiller / Foter / CC BY-SA
Photo 1: Photo credit: Daniel Kruczynski / Foter / CC BY-SA
Photo 2: Photo credit: ~ Abdulhai A. Al-Abdulhai ~ / Foter / CC BY-SA
Photo 3: Photo credit: Steve Evans from Bangalore, India / Foter / CC BY