When it comes to putting food on the table, ingredients matter. As any Ohio food distributor, food consumer, or food lover knows, picking fresh produce is the first step towards creating delicious delicacies for your table.
The tips and tricks for ensuring that you come home with only the best ingredients are multitudinous. What they all boil down to is a matter of simply opening up and using every single one of your senses: you must remember to check for color, consistency, and smell in order to ensure good taste!
When choosing stemmed fruits such as grapes and cherries, ensure that they look tender and plump and that they are firmly attached to new-looking stems. If the stems look shriveled or dull, or the surface of the fruit looks wrinkled, choose another bunch.
Stone fruit such as apricots, nectarines, and peaches should be plump and firm to the touch with only the slightest of cushion. Look for a uniform color or slight blush; no bruising or obvious deformities in the skin. If these fruits are rock hard, extremely soft, or at all shriveled, then move on to another piece!
If you’re looking at citrus, ensure that the fruit feel heavy and firm with a nice smooth texture. If the outside of the fruit is rough, the piece feels light, or spongy, then you will want to select something different.
Vegetables are slightly more difficult to choose since there are so many more varieties. In general, you’re looking dairy distributor Cleveland vibrant color, crispness, and firmness.
For great onions, look for dry and papery skin that’s utterly smooth. If you see leathery spots on the outside of the onion, spots that have been bruised or are depressed, or any green, put it down and pick another.
Broccoli is best when it is firm and deep green in color. Make certain that the florets are closed and haven’t blossomed yet. If it’s yellow in color, soft, has water-soaked damaged spots, or yellow, you’re better off with another crown.
Tomatoes should be rich red, smooth, plump with the slightest of cushions. If they look depressed, have blemishes, are shriveled or water-soaked, you’re only getting second best. Bell peppers follow a similar pattern: thick skin, bright and glossy sheen, and firm vegetables taste the best. Soft spots or shriveled skin are a sign that you should grab another veggie.
When you’re at the market, shop smart not hard!
Susan Suarez 