YELLOW
PearsPeak: August to March
You want a pleasant fragrance and a little softness at the stem end. Some brown discoloration is fine. Storage: If not yet ready to eat, ripen at room temperature in a loosely closed paper bag.
Pineapples
Peak: March to July
Look for vibrant green leaves, a bit of softness to the fruit, and a sweet fragrance at the stem end. Avoid ones that feel spongy. Storage: If it's unripe, keep it at room temp for three or four days until it softens and gives off a pineapple aroma. Refrigerate for up to five days.
ORANGE
PeachesPeak: May to October
Good peaches have a fruity aroma and a yellow or warm cream background color, without green shoulders. They're ready when they yield to gentle pressure on the seams, but skip if mushy. Storage: Leave unripe ones out at room temperature. Ripe ones can go in the refrigerator, but eat within two or three days.
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RED
Bell PeppersPeak: Year-round
These should have lots of heft for their size, and brightly colored, wrinkle-free exteriors. The stems should be a vivid green. Storage: Refrigerate in the crisper for up to two weeks.
Strawberries
Peak: April to September
Seek out unblemished berries that have a bright red color extending to the stem and a strong fruity smell. The best are neither hard nor mushy. Storage: Place unwashed berries in a single layer on a paper towel in a covered container.
Tomatoes
Peak: June to September
Go for heavy ones with rich color and no wrinkles, cracks, bruises, or soft spots. The best tomatoes aren't rock hard and have some give. Storage: Never in a fridge; cold destroys flavor and texture. Keep them on a countertop but out of direct sunlight for up to a week.
Watermelons
Peak: June to August
Pick it up; you want a dense melon free of cuts and sunken areas. The rind should be dull, with a creamy yellow underside. A slap produces a hollow thump. If buying a cut watermelon, check that the flesh is not dried out and pale. Storage: Keep whole in the fridge for up to a week to prevent flesh from drying out and turning fibrous.
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BLUE & PURPLE
BlueberriesPeak: May to October
You want plump, uniform, indigo berries with taut skin, covered with a dull white frost. Storage: Transfer them unwashed to an airtight container and refrigerate for five to seven days.
Grapes
Peak: May to October
Find plump, wrinkle-free grapes that are firmly attached to stems. A silvery white powder ("bloom") means they'll stay fresher longer. Storage: Keep unwashed in a shallow bowl in the refrigerator for up to one week.