Citrus
When selecting citrus, choose fruits that are well-shaped, not畸形 (deformed), with a bright red or orange-red color, a clean and glossy surface, and fresh stems.
Pear
When selecting pears, choose fruits of medium to large size, with thin and delicate skin, a brilliant luster, crisp and tender flesh, juicy and sweet flavor, and free from insect holes or damage.
Litchi
The lychee is a famous Lingnan delicacy, presented as a tribute since the Tang Dynasty. It is renowned for its unique shape, pleasing color, soft yet crisp texture, and a blend of light sweetness and rich fragrance. The lychee is highly nutritious, with sugar content in the flesh reaching up to 20%. In every 100ml of its juice, the Vitamin C content can be as high as 70mg. It also contains protein, fat, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and other components. Lychees are not only excellent fresh fruits but can also be dried, canned, processed into concentrated juice, preserved fruits, used for brewing wine, or to make lychee gum.
To facilitate selection, here is a brief introduction to the characteristics of common lychee varieties:
San Yue Hong, also known as Yu He Bao: The fruit is greenish-red with a thick, brittle shell. The cracked scales are of varying sizes, with sharp, pointed tips on the fruit's apex, making it刺手 (prickly to the touch). The cracks are distinct. The fruit is large, high-shouldered, broad at the top and pointed at the bottom, forming a flat heart shape, with a large seed. Hei Ye: The fruit is oval or slightly heart-shaped, of medium size, with a thin, dark red shell. The cracked scales are flat and blunt, uniform in size, and arranged regularly. The cracks and suture lines are distinct. The shoulders are flat with a large seed.
Gui Wei: The fruit is spherical, of medium size, with a thin, brittle, light red shell. The cracked scales protrude as irregular cones, with sharp, pointed tips that are刺手 (prickly to the touch). A deep ring-like groove encircles the fruit from the stem to the apex. The cracks and suture lines are distinct, with a osmanthus fragrance. The seed size varies.
Mi Zhi, also known as Nuo Mi Zi: The fruit is heart-shaped, larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. It is large and bright red. The cracked scales are large and raised, with smooth, non-prickly peaks. One shoulder is significantly raised, the stem end is slightly concave, and the apex is round. The flesh is thick with a small seed.
Apple
When selecting apples, choose fruits of medium to large size, with a clean skin, vibrant color, firm yet soft texture, free from insect holes or damage. The flesh should be fine and dense, with a moderate sweet and sour taste and a fragrant aroma.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is best with an orange-red skin. A glossy body with thin and soft skin is desirable; a coarse, hard skin indicates insufficient moisture and flavor.
Peach
The best peaches are those with the entire fruit being pink. Be careful of the fuzz on the skin, as it can easily irritate the throat and cause coughing. The fruit is prone to insects, so pay special attention to the concave area around the stem.
Banana
Bananas with brown spots, known as "plum blossoms," are ideal, but be careful to distinguish them from the black spots of spoiled bananas. If the skin is slightly green and lacks fragrance, you can place it in a sealed plastic bag for a while to ripen it.
Longan
When peeled, the longan flesh should be transparent without any juice seeping out. It should not be covered by a thin film. Pay attention to the stem end; it should not be wet, or it will spoil easily. Longans that have been washed cannot be stored for long.
Mango
Mangoes are rich in Vitamin A and fiber. They can help with motion sickness, aid digestion, act as an antioxidant, enhance intestinal peristalsis, and promote metabolism, so there's no need to worry about eating too many. Mangoes are generally long with small seeds or short with large seeds. Mangoes are best when fully ripe. They are ideal when their skin is a uniform yellow, smooth without black spots, firm to the touch with a fleshy feel, have a rich fragrance, and have no black spots around the stem.