Like most tender greens, arugula is perishable and needs to be used within a few days of purchase. Look for crisp leaves without mushiness.

These rough-skinned fruits are crisp and juicy, and rounder in shape than other pears. Flavors range from barely sweet to tangy and sharp.

Asparagus comes in green, white, purple and wild varities. Look for the thinnest stalks possible; these are the most tender. Steer clear of limp and wilted asparagus.

Its skin may be smooth or bumpy, bright green or black, and they can be pear-shaped, egg-shaped or spherical. An avocado is ripe when it yields to gentle pressure when squeezed.

Beet roots, stems and leaves are all edible. Beets should feel heavy for their size, with no mushy areas. If greens are attached, they should not be wilted or have yellow spots.

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.

Broccoli florets should be tightly closed and deep green, with a purplish tinge; avoid limp or yellowing broccoli. Stems should be free of mold or signs of bruising.

Brussels sprouts are sold on and off the stalk. Look for compact heads with no sign of dulling or wilting. Sprouts should be bright green.

Red and green cabbage should have a firm, tight head and feel heavy for their size, with no black or soft spots. Savoy and Napa cabbage are generally a bit "looser".

Cardoons are sold in large bunches that look a lot like spiky, silvery celery. Stalks should be firm with no spongy or blackened 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.

Look for an even color and a tightly packed head. Apart from its standard white, cauliflower also comes in purple, orange and green varieties.

Pascal celery, the most readily found in the US, has tall, light green stalks that are thick and very crisp. It’s commonly sold with few leaves, but if you find it with the flavorful leaves intact, they can be used as an herb.

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.

Fresh, local Cherimoyas are much more creamy and flavorful than their supermarket counterparts. The fruit should be very soft and have a strong, tropical fragrance.

This includes radicchio, endive, frisee and escarole — bitter, leafy veggies that come in a rainbow of colors.

Look for leaves that are dry and free of dark green goop. No yellowing or wilted leaves, which are signs of decay.

Select citrus that is of medium firmness. If the fruit is too hard or has green spots (except limes), it is not yet ripe. If it is too soft or bruised, it is past its prime.

A clementine is a hybrid between a mandarin orange and a sweet orange. They're sweet, juicy and less acidic than oranges; often referred to as seedless tangerines.

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.

Fennel bulbs should be whitish-green, firm and heavy for their size, with no brown or mushy spots. If the feathery green fronds are still attached, they should have no signs of wilting or dryness.

Mature garlic heads should have a paper-like skin that covers all the cloves, which ideally are firm and free of mold or bruises. Green garlic has a light green stalk and white bulb at the base with darker green tops.

Scapes are the curled shoots of hardneck garlic varieties. Scapes should be firm but somewhat flexible and free of blemishes or moldy spots.

Ginger should have smooth skin, no dried-out or moldy looking areas and no mushiness.

Grapefruit should feel heavy in your hand and the skin should feel smooth. Avoid browning or squishy 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.

Look for kiwis that feel heavy for their size, with no mushy or discolored spots. A ripe kiwi will yield to gentle pressure when you squeeze it.

Both the root and leafy greens of kohlrabi are edible. The bulb should be firm with no spongy bits and no visible brown spots.

Kumquats are a small citrus fruit with a sweet, edible rind and a very tart pulp. Eat them whole or use them in baked goods and jams.

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.

Look for lemons that are bright and evenly colored. Lemons should be firm yet not rock hard and should feel heavy — a sign that it has a lot of juice.

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.

A farmer's market favorite in warm, citrus-growing regions, fresh limes should be firm and glossy.

Color is not always a good indicator of a mandarin's ripeness, so don't hesitate to pick up one that is still a little green so long as it smells sweet.

Used both in cooking and herbal medicine, mint should have perky stems and leaves with no black spots or wilted parts. Fresh mint should also be very aromatic.

Moringa leaves are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, and can be cooked into nearly any dish. Leaves should be vibrant and have a sharp smell when damaged.

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.

Nettles are an herb resembling an oversized mint leaf and are best bought or harvested when they are young and the stems are tender, before flower buds appear.

When purchasing dried onions, avoid brown or mushy spots and choose onions that feel heavy for their size without any signs of sprouting.

This leafy green is closely related to lamb's quarters, and can be used in place of spinach. Look for perky leaves in green or red.

Oranges that are still green and too hard are not yet ripe. Instead, choose an orange that has medium firmness and feels juicy when lightly squeezed.

Oregano and marjoram are both available as fresh or dried herbs. To preserve freshness, store dried herbs in a cool, dry place and store fresh herbs in the refrigerator.

Parsley is available in both curly and flat-leaf varieties. For both, look for firm, perky leaves, firm stems and no wilting or yellowing of any kind.

Parsnips are a root vegetable that look like a pale carrot, usually a shade of pale yellow or ivory. Look for parsnips that are firm but not tough.

An excellent source of both dietary fiber and Vitamin C, pears should be fragrant and soft when ripe. Unripe pears will ripen quickly in a paper bag at room temperature.

Red Hachiya persimmons are acorn-shaped and inedible unless fully ripe and very soft, while orange Fuyu persimmons are tomato-shaped and eaten firm.

No matter the variety of potato, be sure to store them in a cool, dark place with low humidity where they can be stored at least one month and up to three months.

The pummelo, the grapefruit's ancestor and the largest of all citrus fruits, has a spongy green pith and a sweet seedless pink or green interior.

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!

Rapini, or broccoli rabe, looks like a leafier version of broccoli. Both the leaves and florets should be deep green without yellow spots.

With its pine-like flavor, rosemary pairs well with roasted vegetables and grilled meats. Look for strong-smelling bunches and avoid withered leaves.

The rutabaga is a sweet root vegetable that looks a lot like a large turnip with pale yellow flesh. Rutabagas are often sold with a protective layer of wax that improves shelf life, so peel them before cooking.

With its distinctive smell, sage adds a savory note to many dishes. Look for sage that has perky, silvery green leaves and a strong smell, avoiding any withered or dry leaves.

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.

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.

Sometimes called Jerusalem artichokes, sunchokes are the roots of a native North American plant in the sunflower family. Look for roots that are firm to the touch, with no spongy or mushy areas.

Sweeter and easier to peel than oranges, tangerines are a staple of winter farmer's markets in warm areas. Some color irregularities and blemishes are normal in tangerines, but look for fruit that doesn't feel squishy or too soft.

Tarragon is an herb with a pungent, licorice-like flavor. Look for leaves that are perky and light green, avoiding any mushy or wilted bunches.

Fresh thyme imparts a bright, almost lemony flavor to soups, roasts and other dishes. When buying thyme, leaves should be fresh, green and firmly attached to the stems. Thyme with lots of wilted leaves is less fresh.

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.

Watercress is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery flavor that pairs really well with duck and other game meats. Try to avoid any mushy leaves, as they can spoil the others in storage.

White sapote has a creamy texture and a flavor that's like banana pudding with a hint of peach. Ripe fruit should be yellow green, fragrant, and soft enough to give under a light squeeze