How to pick...

Kangkung (Water Spinach)
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp and tender
skin: Smooth, no yellowing
weight: Feels light for its size
smell: Fresh, earthy aroma
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Soft or slimy
skin: Discolored, blemished
weight: Feels heavy for its size
smell: Off or rotten smell
Bayam (Spinach)
Good:
color: Deep green
firmness: Tender leaves
skin: No tears or yellow spots
weight: Light and crisp
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or dark spots
firmness: Wilted or mushy
skin: Torn, discolored
weight: Feels heavy and wet
smell: Strong or musty
Sawi (Mustard Greens)
Good:
color: Vibrant green
firmness: Crisp leaves
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Light and crunchy
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellowed or dull
firmness: Limp or wilted
skin: Blemished, torn
weight: Heavy and soggy
smell: Pungent or off
Kailan (Chinese Broccoli)
Good:
color: Dark green
firmness: Firm stems, tender leaves
skin: Smooth, no yellowing
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Pleasantly mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or spotted
firmness: Wilted or rubbery
skin: Rough, blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or sour
Choy Sum
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp stems, tender leaves
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and crunchy
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or pale
firmness: Soft or limp
skin: Spotted, blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or sour
Pak Choi (Bok Choy)
Good:
color: White stalks, green leaves
firmness: Crisp stalks, tender leaves
skin: No blemishes or tears
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellowing leaves, dull stalks
firmness: Limp or wilted
skin: Torn, blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
Lettuce
Good:
color: Bright green or appropriate color
firmness: Crisp leaves
skin: No browning or wilting
weight: Light and crunchy
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Brown or yellow spots
firmness: Wilted or soggy
skin: Browning, slimy
weight: Feels heavy and wet
smell: Musty or sour
Cabbage
Good:
color: Bright green or purple
firmness: Dense, firm head
skin: No browning or wilting
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Brown or yellowing leaves
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Browning, damaged
weight: Feels light and dry
smell: Off or strong odor
Chinese Cabbage (Napa Cabbage)
Good:
color: Pale green with white stems
firmness: Firm, crisp leaves
skin: No browning or damage
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or brown
firmness: Limp or wilted
skin: Browning, damaged
weight: Feels light and dry
smell: Strong or off
Iceberg Lettuce
Good:
color: Light green
firmness: Crisp, firm head
skin: No browning or damage
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Brown or yellow spots
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Browning, slimy
weight: Feels light and dry
smell: Musty or sour
Tomato
Good:
color: Rich, vibrant red
firmness: Firm with slight yield to pressure
skin: Smooth, blemish-free
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Sweet, earthy aroma
Bad:
color: Uneven or pale
firmness: Too soft or mushy spots
skin: Wrinkled, cracked, or bruised
weight: Light for size
smell: No smell
Cucumber
Good:
color: Bright, even green
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or pale spots
firmness: Soft or rubbery
skin: Wrinkled, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Eggplant (Brinjal)
Good:
color: Deep purple
firmness: Firm but slightly springy
skin: Smooth, glossy
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Dull or brown
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Wrinkled, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Bell Pepper (Capsicum)
Good:
color: Bright, even color
firmness: Firm, crisp
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and sweet
Bad:
color: Dull or patchy
firmness: Soft or wrinkled
skin: Wrinkled, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Chili
Good:
color: Bright red or green
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, shiny
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and spicy
Bad:
color: Dull or dark spots
firmness: Soft or wrinkled
skin: Wrinkled, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Zucchini
Good:
color: Dark green
firmness: Firm and smooth
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellow or dull
firmness: Soft or rubbery
skin: Wrinkled, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Bitter Gourd
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, with regular ridges
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or brown
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled, irregular
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Lady's Finger (Okra)
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, no soft spots
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Dull or yellowing
firmness: Soft or limp
skin: Wrinkled, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Pumpkin
Good:
color: Deep orange
firmness: Firm, no soft spots
skin: Smooth, no cracks
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and sweet
Bad:
color: Dull or pale
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Carrot
Good:
color: Bright orange
firmness: Firm, not limp
skin: Smooth, no cracks
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and sweet
Bad:
color: Pale or dull
firmness: Soft or limp
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Radish
Good:
color: Bright red or white
firmness: Firm, not soft
skin: Smooth, no cracks
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Dull or yellow
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Sweet Potato
Good:
color: Bright orange or purple
firmness: Firm, not soft
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Sweet and mild
Bad:
color: Pale or dull
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Yam
Good:
color: Uniform brown or purple
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and earthy
Bad:
color: Pale or discolored
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Lotus Root
Good:
color: Light brown
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Discolored or dark
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Daikon (White Radish)
Good:
color: Bright white
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Pale or yellow
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Taro
Good:
color: Uniform brown
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and earthy
Bad:
color: Discolored or dark
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Onion
Good:
color: Bright, uniform color
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Dry, papery skin
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Sharp and fresh
Bad:
color: Discolored or soft spots
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Loose or missing
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Garlic
Good:
color: Bright white or purple
firmness: Firm cloves
skin: Dry, intact
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Pungent and fresh
Bad:
color: Discolored or brown
firmness: Soft or sprouting
skin: Loose or missing
weight: Light for size
smell: Mild or musty
Shallot
Good:
color: Bright purple or red
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Dry, papery
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Sharp and fresh
Bad:
color: Discolored or brown
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Loose or missing
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Spring Onion
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp stems
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Limp or wilted
skin: Blemished, damaged
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
Leek
Good:
color: Bright white and green
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Discolored or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Blemished, damaged
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Broccoli
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, crisp stems
skin: Smooth, no yellowing
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or pale
firmness: Soft or limp
skin: Discolored, blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Cauliflower
Good:
color: Bright white or creamy
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no brown spots
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Brown or yellow spots
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Blemished, discolored
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or off
Brussels Sprouts
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, compact heads
skin: Smooth, no yellowing
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellow or dull
firmness: Soft or loose
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Long Bean
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, crisp
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Limp or soft
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
French Bean
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, crisp
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Limp or soft
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
Snow Peas
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, crisp
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Limp or soft
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
Green Peas
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, crisp
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Limp or soft
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
Coriander
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, fresh leaves
skin: No yellowing or wilting
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and fragrant
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Limp or mushy
skin: Wilting or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Basil
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, fresh leaves
skin: No yellowing or wilting
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and fragrant
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Limp or mushy
skin: Wilting or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Mint
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, fresh leaves
skin: No yellowing or wilting
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and fragrant
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Limp or mushy
skin: Wilting or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Parsley
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, fresh leaves
skin: No yellowing or wilting
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and fragrant
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Limp or mushy
skin: Wilting or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Dill
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, fresh leaves
skin: No yellowing or wilting
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and fragrant
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Limp or mushy
skin: Wilting or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Corn
Good:
color: Bright yellow or white kernels
firmness: Firm, plump kernels
skin: Tightly packed husks
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Sweet and fresh
Bad:
color: Dull or discolored kernels
firmness: Soft or shriveled kernels
skin: Loose or dry husks
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or sour
Bamboo Shoots
Good:
color: Light yellow or white
firmness: Crisp, not soft
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Dull or brown
firmness: Soft or mushy
skin: Blemished or cracked
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Bean Sprouts
Good:
color: Bright white
firmness: Crisp, not soft
skin: Smooth, no browning
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Brown or dull
firmness: Soft or mushy
skin: Blemished or browned
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Jicama
Good:
color: Uniform light brown
firmness: Firm, not soft
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Discolored or dark
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Blemished or cracked
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Fiddlehead Fern (Paku)
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, not soft
skin: Smooth, no browning
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Brown or dull
firmness: Soft or mushy
skin: Blemished or browned
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Ginger
Good:
color: Light brown
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Spicy and fresh
Bad:
color: Discolored or dark
firmness: Soft or shriveled
skin: Blemished or wrinkled
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Turmeric
Good:
color: Bright orange or yellow
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Spicy and fresh
Bad:
color: Dull or brown
firmness: Soft or shriveled
skin: Blemished or wrinkled
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Galangal
Good:
color: Pale yellow or white
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Fresh and spicy
Bad:
color: Dull or dark
firmness: Soft or shriveled
skin: Blemished or wrinkled
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Button Mushroom
Good:
color: Creamy white
firmness: Firm, not slimy
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and earthy
Bad:
color: Brown or discolored
firmness: Soft or slimy
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Shiitake Mushroom
Good:
color: Dark brown
firmness: Firm, not slimy
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Rich and earthy
Bad:
color: Pale or discolored
firmness: Soft or slimy
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Oyster Mushroom
Good:
color: Pale white or cream
firmness: Firm, not slimy
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Brown or discolored
firmness: Soft or slimy
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Enoki Mushroom
Good:
color: Creamy white
firmness: Firm, not slimy
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Brown or discolored
firmness: Soft or slimy
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
King Oyster Mushroom
Good:
color: Pale white or brown
firmness: Firm, not slimy
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Brown or discolored
firmness: Soft or slimy
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Angled Luffa
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, not soft
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellow or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Snake Gourd
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, not soft
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellow or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Winged Bean
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, crisp
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels firm and fresh
smell: Fresh and mild
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Limp or soft
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and limp
smell: Strong or musty
Ceylon Spinach (Malabar Spinach)
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm, not wilted
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellow or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Daun Kesum (Vietnamese Coriander)
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, fresh leaves
skin: No yellowing or wilting
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fresh and fragrant
Bad:
color: Yellow or wilted
firmness: Limp or mushy
skin: Wilting or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or off
Pandan Leaves
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, not wilted
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Fragrant and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellow or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Weak or musty
Swiss Chard
Good:
color: Bright green leaves, vibrant stalks
firmness: Crisp, not wilted
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Collard Greens
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, not wilted
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Turnip Greens
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Crisp, not wilted
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Feels light and fresh
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Yellowing or dull
firmness: Soft or wilted
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Feels heavy and soggy
smell: Strong or musty
Butternut Squash
Good:
color: Uniform beige or tan
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no cracks
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Dull or discolored
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Acorn Squash
Good:
color: Deep green with orange patches
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no cracks
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Dull or discolored
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Cracked or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty
Chayote
Good:
color: Bright green
firmness: Firm to touch
skin: Smooth, no blemishes
weight: Heavy for size
smell: Mild and fresh
Bad:
color: Dull or yellow
firmness: Soft or spongy
skin: Wrinkled or blemished
weight: Light for size
smell: Strong or musty