Greengrocers—how to choose fruit and vegetables

Apples: Stay away from bruised or shrivelled apples in greengrocers.

Apricots: Look for velvety skin, and leave the green ones on the greengrocer's shelf.

Artichokes: They should feel heavy when you hold them, with full, fleshy leaves.

Asparagus: In greengrocers, look for tight scales at the bud end.

Aubergine: Go for shiny skins and green caps.

Avocados: Press at the stem end: if the skin gives, the fruit is ripe; if the rind is hard, it's past its best.

Bananas: Memorise this colour-code and you'll never have to ask the greengrocer again: green is great for grilling; yellow ready to eat; speckles for great banana bread.

Blueberries: Ask your greengrocer for fruit with a white bloom.

Broccoli: Ask if the greengrocer has any dark green veg with tight buds.

Cauliflower: Clusters should be tightly packed.

Citrus fruit: The heavier the juicier, as a rule. Avoid the pointy-ended thicker-skinned kinds and ask the greengrocer if they have citrus fruit with thinner peel—they're usually much more juicy.

Corn: Seek out fresh, green-looking husks; the "silk" should be shiny and yellow. Some say that you can tell if they're fresh by peeling back the leaves and running a nail against the kernels. If they pop and taste sweet, you're onto a winner.

Grapes: No special greengrocer expertise needed here: just check the sell-by date, avoid obvious no-nos like mould... and just eat and enjoy.

Grapefruit: Pink varieties tend to be sweeter than the sharper "white" ones.

Mango: Use your nose to detect a fruity scent, and your fingers to press gently: if the mango yields, it's ready.

Melon: Melons should smell rich and fruity, and the stem end should give a little when pressed. Watermelons should sound hollow when tapped (but don't whack them too hard, and ask your greengrocer's permission first!). Cantaloupes should have a light, fruity scent. Honeydew should give when pressed at the blossom end.

Peach: Ask your greengrocer for peaches that are soft and scented.

Pears: Pears can take a while to ripen, so buy firm from the greengrocer, then ripen at home. They ripen quickly and briefly, so don't buy more than you need at a time.

Pineapples: Ask the greengrocer if you can hold one—pineapples should feel heavy, and smell fruity at the stem end. Leaves should come off easily when pulled.

Raspberries: Stains on boxes are often a sign that the fruit might be overripe. Ask your greengrocer if it's OK to lift the punnets and check.

Strawberries: Avoid fruit with lots of green or white parts, and be on your guard for mould.

Tomatoes: Should be a bright red colour and give slightly under pressure, but still be quite firm. Check to see if the greengrocer sells vine-ripened ones.

Still not sure?

Ask your greengrocer—a good fruit and veg seller should know his or her onions.