Instructions: When selecting fresh produce, youll want to consider ripeness. While some fruits and most vegetables do not continue to ripen after they are picked, there are certain fruits that do.

Items that do not ripen after picking include apples, berries, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, limes, oranges, pineapple, strawberries, tangerines and watermelon.

Fruits that do continue to ripen after picking include apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, honeydew, kiwifruits, nectarines, papaya, peaches, pears, plantains, plums and tomatoes.

For fruit that requires additional ripening, you have storage options: at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in a paper bag.

All fresh fruits and vegetables should be washed before eating. Fruits and vegetables, as part of their growing process, can be exposed to soil and pesticides. When produce is handled by consumers in the course of shopping, harmful bacteria may also be left behind. Careful washing of fruits and vegetables is important, even for fruits such as melons and pineapples that have rinds that you cut away. Dirt and bacteria on the surface of fruits or vegetables can be drawn to the inside by the knife used to cut them open. Many types of produce are coated with food-grade wax as a preservative: Coatings keep in moisture and protect against spoiling. And although the wax is not harmful if eaten, some consumers prefer the taste and texture when it is removed. The wax can also trap unwanted residues and chemicals.

Fruits and vegetables that may have wax coatings applied include apples, avocados, bell peppers, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplants, grapefruits, lemons, limes, melons, oranges, parsnips, passion fruit, peaches, pineapples, pumpkins, rutabagas, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips and yucca.

There are different methods of removing residues from your fruits and vegetables. To clean fresh fruits and vegetables, wash and scrub them thoroughly under running water. This works much better than soaking because running water has an abrasive effect that removes bacteria, chemical traces and dirt from the surfaces and crevices of fruits and vegetables.

Not all pesticide residues can be removed by washing. Dish detergent may remove more residues than water alone, but it is not designed for use to clean fruits and vegetables. Its not formulated to clean produce and the ingredients are not intended for direct application to food. Some detergent may remain on the outside of fruits and vegetables even after rinsing, which may affect the taste.

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