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Bananas - According to Kitchn, if you want to eat the banana right away, you should choose one with a strong yellow peel. If, on the other hand, you want the bananas to last for a few days, you should buy green ones as they will ripen over time.

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Cucumbers - Ideally, cucumbers should be uniformly green and have little yellow in them, says Kitchn.

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Figs - Figs should be soft, plump, and be intact. Small bruises usually have no influence on their quality. Avoid figs that look very dry or that are cracked.

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Pineapples - Check if the pineapples have a sweet aroma in the area near the stem, if they have fresh leaves, and if they feel heavy in relation to their size. Avoid the ones with dried leaves or with a spotted skin.

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Melons or cantaloupes - Again, choose the ones that have a pleasant aroma. Regarding color, choose those with a more golden or yellowish skin, avoiding those that are too green. Also look out for soft spots.

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Pomegranates - Feel their weight and pick up the heavier ones. The cracks are actually a good sign - it means the fruit is filled with seeds. Make sure there is no mold inside the cracks.

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Persimmons - Look out for an orange or reddish color. Fuyu ones must be firm but not excessively hard. Hachiya persimmons should be soft and kept at room temperature for a week or two until they ripen.

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Strawberries - These must have a pleasant aroma and be totally red, with no yellowish or greenish areas. Strawberries should be shiny and have a very green top. If you buy them in boxes, check that there are no crushed ones on the bottom.

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Cherries - Choose the shinier and darker ones. Cherries with an intact stem last longer.

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Eggplants - Pick eggplants with a smooth and naturally shiny skin. Eggplants should feel heavy for their size. Small eggplants tend to have fewer seeds, so they also tend to be less bitter.

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Broccoli - Broccoli should have hard stems and very green leaves. Avoid broccoli with a yellowish tinge.

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Peaches - Pick peaches with a nice aroma, a strong coloration, and make sure they are firm but soft to the touch. Avoid green peaches.

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Garlic - Garlic should be firm and plump. Avoid garlic with soft or green spots.

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Mangoes - Choose mangoes that are slightly soft to the touch and that have a pleasant aroma.

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Grapefruits - Pick those with a smooth and thin peel. Good grapefruits should be heavy and firm, but somewhat elastic to the touch. Don't worry about color.

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Blueberries - Choose the most solid and dry berries. Regarding color, look for blue and avoid red or green. If they're in a box, try to check if there are any crushed ones on the bottom.

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Apples - Look for color and natural shine. Apples should be heavy enough for their size and should not be soft.

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Oranges - Oranges should be heavy for their size and firm to the touch, with the smoothest peel possible.

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Avocados - Choose avocados that are soft to the touch. You can opt for firmer ones if you want to wait a few days for them to ripen. Avoid crushed or cracked avocados.

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Onions - Onions should be dry and heavy for their size. Avoid those with soft areas or that have sprouted.

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Pears - According to Kitchn, pears are usually harvested before they are ripe. Always choose pears with no spots and that are soft just below the stem. You should allow them to ripen at room temperature.

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Lettuce and spinach - Look for fresh, shiny leaves. Avoid those with wilted or viscous leaves.

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Plums - Choose colorful, bright, and firm plums. Avoid excessively hard ones. It's natural for plums to have a white or grayish glow.

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Watermelons - Tap watermelons with your hand. They should feel empty inside. Ripe watermelons should have a yellowish stain on the area near the root. 

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Apricots - Apricots should have a nice aroma, and not feel excessively soft.

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Grapes - Look for firm, plump, and heavy grapes. They should be firmly attached to the stem and should not have brown spots.

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Quinces - Quinces should be firm and have golden skin.

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Lemons - Good lemons should have a strong aroma and feel heavy for their size. Don't buy lemons that look withered.

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Kiwis -

Kiwis should be somewhat soft to the touch. Avoid those that are too hard or too soft.

See also: Fun facts and legends about fresh fruit and vegetables

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