Michelle Griep

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Doing My Part to Prevent Scurvy

Fun fact: I hate fruit. No, really. Can't stand the stuff, except for apples. I'll eat those. Nevertheless, a writer must eat healthy, so I do own a juicer to get my share of fruit-a-licious nutrients.

You may be wondering how this ties into reading, writing, or publishing. It doesn't. Today, friends, we are roaming off the leash into the neighborhood of how to choose a good piece of fruit.

WATERMELONS

Whenever I thump a melon, I listen to hear if anything taps back on the inside, a morse code that says "I'm the sweetest one here so buy me." Newsflash: this doesn't work. So I googled it. Here's what you're supposed to do. Hold the melon in one hand and tap it lightly with your other hand. If you feel a reverberation in the hand holding the melon, that's the baby for you. If not, go buy some bananas.

ORANGES

I figure if they don't have green or white fuzz on them, winner winner chicken dinner! Nope. Wrong strategy. Apparently you need to pick the one that's heavier than it looks. What does that mean? Just go for the one that's heaviest, I guess. It has something to do with the water content and juiciness.

BERRIES

Did you know that berries can continue to ripen at home? Huh. I must've been in the bathroom when the teacher was imparting that little nugget of wisdom. Still, if you like sweet berries, go for the most vivid in color.

PINEAPPLE

This is a fun trick. You simply try to pick out one of the center leaves. If it comes out easily, the pineapple is ripe. Makes me want to run to the store and give this a whirl. What I usually do is sniff the outside and see if it smells like a pineapple, which turns out is a valid way to select a tasty pineapple.

Any other sage fruit advice you readers want to share? Educate me in the comment section.