Nowadays, we can eat a wide variety of fruits all year round. There are naturally ripened ones, and also many that are artificially ripened. While they may look beautiful, they are not healthy for us. Since we know that such fruits are not good for our bodies, we must be careful in our daily lives to avoid buying artificially ripened fruits. Let's take a look at some tips for selecting fruit together.
Many people are concerned that ripening agents are harmful to the human body.
In fact, the concentration of ripening agents used is very low, and the active substance is ethylene gas. Consuming fruit treated with ethephon has no impact on health because ethephon breaks down in water to become ethylene, and any excess ethylene volatilizes into the air without remaining in the fruit. The same ripening technology is used worldwide, and for decades, there have been no cases of it harming health. Some believe that fruit ripening agents can cause children to develop prematurely, but this is completely a rumor. The hormone that causes early development in girls is estrogen, which has nothing to do with ethylene.
Fruit Selection Tips
Size: Apples, pears, peaches, etc., come in large, medium, and small sizes. A large fruit indicates normal development and can reflect the characteristic flavor of the variety. Conversely, the smaller the fruit, the poorer the flavor. However, if the fruit is too large, its flesh is often looser and not easy to store. Additionally, some fruit varieties are naturally small, such as Jingbai pears, Nanfeng蜜桔 (Nanfeng honey mandarins), and seedless white grapes. Although they are small, their flavor is excellent. Therefore, experience is also important.
Color: Color is an important indicator of whether a fruit is ripe. For example, citrus fruits generally have a yellow base color and are orange-red or bright red when ripe. Unripe ones are entirely green or partially green, and these have a poor flavor. A green banana peel indicates it is not yet ripe, while black spots on the peel mean it is overripe. Yellow bananas and golden-colored Ya pears have the best taste when they are golden.
Look at the fruit's surface: This is the most direct way to observe the quality of the fruit. Fruits with vibrant colors, well-shaped, smooth, and shiny surfaces are generally of good quality. Some fruits may have a slight "russeting" on their surface, but this does not affect their quality. Fruits with dents, bruises, or other damage on their surface should not be stored for long.
Smell the aroma: Most ripe fruits have a rich aroma, which is due to the volatile oils they contain. A complete lack of aroma suggests the fruit is not yet fully ripe.