Bok choy (or pok choi) stalks should be firm and blemish-free, with nothing bruised or mushy. Leaves should be perky and green, with no brown or yellow spots.
Carrots come in all shades of purple, red, white, yellow and of course, orange. If they have the greens attached, look for feathery, perky leaves with no wilting, black spots or yellowing.
Also known as Swiss chard or rainbow chard, you can eat both the leaves and stems. You want crisp, perky and glossy leaves, with firm and healthy stems.
This includes radicchio, endive, frisee and escarole — bitter, leafy veggies that come in a rainbow of colors.
For both Chinese and European chives, you’re looking for pert green blades without signs of yellowing, moisture or mildew.
Collards are a versatile and delicious member of the brassica family, and can be used both cooked and raw. Look for firm leaves and stems with no yellowing, spots or wilted leaves.
Look for endive with tight heads that feel heavy for their size. All endive varieties should be free of black or mushy spots, with very few (to no) brown or wilting leaves.
Scapes are the curled shoots of hardneck garlic varieties. Scapes should be firm but somewhat flexible and free of blemishes or moldy spots.
Whether you call them green onions, spring onions or scallions, these alliums all offer a slightly milder taste than their onion cousins.
Horseradish is a large and tapering root with a dark brown peel and creamy interior. Look for firm roots with no mushy or black spots.
When shopping for kale, stay clear of wilted or browning leaves. Leaves and stalks should be firm and dry instead of wilted and mushy.
This wild-foraged leafy green packs a nutritional punch with lots of protein, fiber, omega fatty acids and Vitamins A and C. Look for leaves that are perky.
Common leeks look like giant scallions and have a mild onion-y, sweet flavor. Look for leeks on the smaller side, 1-2" in stem diameter with very dark greens that have no yellowing or wilted spots.
There are many varieties of lettuce, from loose-leaf to those bought as a head. For all varieties, look for leaves that are intact and not wilting.
Tangy and sweet, loquats are reminiscent of citrus fruits. Ripe loquats are bright yellow-orange and should be soft to the touch.
There are several varieties of mushrooms and they can be purchased fresh or dried. Look for fresh mushrooms without slimy, moldy or black spots.
Mustard greens are peppery, leafy greens in the same family as broccoli and kale. Look for perky greens that are not wilted with no mushy or black spots.
Pea shoots are very young pea plants. They can be eaten like a green - braised, sauteed or tossed into salads - or made into pesto. Look for bright green pea shoots that are not wilted.
Purslane has the most omega-3 fatty acids of any green vegetable. Its flavor is slightly tart and a bit lemony - perfect for summer salads.
Radicchio is a bitter leafy vegetable. Radicchio di Chioggia, the most common variety, resembles a small red cabbage, but radicchio comes in a variety of other shapes. In all cases, it should be crisp and unwilted.
Most radishes are sold with the tops attached: look for vibrant greens and firm roots. Don't forget you can saute the tops or use them in pesto!
With their delicate, sweet flavor, shallots look like small red onions. When buying shallots, make sure to feel under the papery husks to make sure the bulbs feel firm.
Snap peas are excellent raw or cooked. When shopping, look for those with full pods that are vibrant in color, avoiding any with mushy spots.
Good snow peas will be bright green with thin, flexible pods. Snow peas are mildly flavored and can be served raw or cooked.
Sorrel comes in both red and green varieties, but both resemble spinach. Sorrel has a sharp, tart, green apple taste that adds a tang to salads and cooked greens.
Fresh spinach leaves can be sold as loose leaves or still attached to the stem. Look for perky, evenly colored leaves with no mushy spots. Smaller leaves will be the most tender while larger leaves can be stringy in texture.
Although you can sprout many seeds, the two most common sprouted types are bean and alfalfa. Look for sprouts that are perky and smell fresh. Avoid any that smell off or that appear slimy or wilted.
Bigger isn't always better when it comes to strawberries: look for berries that are glossy, fragrant and deeply colored all the way up to the stem.
Sweeter and milder than their larger counterparts, baby turnips are perfect for eating raw, roasting or tossing in salads. Turnips should be firm with tight skin. Avoid any that look wrinkled or withered.
Although sweet potatoes are often called yams, true yams have rougher, bark-like skin and aren't as sweet. Yams should be very firm with no soft spots.