Fruits & Veggies
A:
A grapefruit is ripe when it no longer has a green tint to its color and no longer smells like ripe fruit. When it comes to pink grapefruit that is perfectly ripened, the peel of the fruit has a light red or rosy appearance to it when it is in peak perfection.
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Q: When are crab apples in season?
A: Crabapple trees usually bear fruit during the summer and fall, but they may still bear fruit well into the winter. They blossom during the spring, producing masses of white, pink or red flowers. Because of their attractive blossoms, they are often grown as ornamental landscape plants. -
Q: Where is watermelon grown in the world?
A: Watermelons grow in warm climates, but they can also be nurtured in cooler temperatures, according to VegetableGardener.com. The watermelon's origin remains unclear, but Southern Italy and Africa are suspected to be the fruit's original homes. Watermelons can grow on continents around the world. WhichCountry.com notes that watermelon is mostly consumed in China, and more than 1,200 types of watermelon are harvested in 96 countries. -
Q: Is an artichoke a fruit or vegetable?
A: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an artichoke is a vegetable. Ideally picked when the flower bud is small and tender, the artichoke is considered a delicacy. -
Q: What happens if you eat too many blueberries?
A: Researchers at Kansas State University have found that eating too many antioxidant-rich foods, such as blueberries, causes stress on the body. Antioxidants are usually beneficial because they stabilize free radicals, which help cells age. -
Q: How much does a pineapple weigh?
A: Depending on the shape, size and variety of the fruit, pineapples can weigh between 1 to 10 pounds. The shape between two pineapples can vary because they develop as fruit fuses together. Pineapples also vary in color; their waxy outside coating can be dark green, orange-yellow, red or yellow. -
Q: Where do yams come from?
A: Yams are native plants of Africa and Asia and belong to the Dioscoreaceae family of roots and tubers. There are more than 600 varieties of yams, and 95 percent of them grow in Africa. These starchy vegetables are often confused with sweet potatoes in the United States. -
Q: Are crabapples edible?
A: Crabapples are edible according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Most varieties of crabapples have a very sour taste and are usually used for making cider, apple butter, jams or jellies rather than eaten as-is. Some Asian cultures use them as a sour condiment. -
Q: What are some examples of noncitrus fruits?
A: Some examples of noncitrus fruit include apples, bananas, strawberries and grapes. Noncitrus fruits are any fruits that do not come from the trees of the genus Citrus. Citrus fruits tend to be acidic and include oranges, lemons, pomelos, grapefruits and limes. -
Q: What percentage of an apple is water?
A: The water content in a medium-sized apple is 84 percent, according to WebMD. Fruits with higher levels include watermelon, which has a 92 percent water content. -
Q: How much does a carrot weigh?
A: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average weight of a carrot varies between 50 and 72 grams, depending on its length. A medium-sized carrot weighs about 61 grams. -
Q: When are oranges ripe?
A: Oranges are ripe when the fruit feels firm and heavy for its size. Skin color is not a sign of ripeness in oranges. Oranges grown in the summer or in very warm climates still have green patches when they are ripe. -
Q: How can you dehydrate pomegranates?
A: Pomegranates are known to be high in antioxidants and essential nutrients and can be eaten dried. Dehydrated pomegranates are also used for decorative purposes. Pomegranates can be sun dried, oven-dried or dried in a fruit and vegetable dehydrator. -
Q: How long does it take grapes to grow?
A: According to The Ohio State University Horticulture and Crop Science extension, it takes grapes three years from their first planting to mature enough to bear fruit. Once established, grapes will continue to be productive for 40 years or more. -
Q: Why do apples float?
A: Apples float because their overall density is less than that of water. Their density is less than water because 25 percent of an apple's volume is air. -
Q: Is an onion a root or stem?
A: An onion is a bulb. They belong to the allium family, which is also home to edible plants such as chives (also known as scallions), garlic, leeks and shallots. -
Q: What fruit is most eaten in the world?
A: As of 2012, the mango rules as the most commonly eaten fruit around the world. While Americans are most familiar with apples, oranges and bananas, throughout the world, over 2,000 different types of mangoes are consumed in countless different ways, including in juices, chutneys, pies, ice cream and dried cereals. -
Q: Are there seedless cherries?
A: There are currently no known ways to grow seedless cherries. Cherries are considered a stone fruit, and scientists have not had success in creating entirely stoneless fruits. -
Q: What do gooseberries taste like?
A: The flavor or gooseberries can vary, depending on where they are grown and other factors, but they generally have flavors similar to grapes, apples or strawberries. The fruit's notes can range from tart to tropical. -
Q: What does a poblano pepper look like?
A: A poblano pepper is a heart-shaped pepper that is approximately 4 inches long and over 2 inches wide. The pepper contains thick walls and has a dark green color when ripening, followed by a dark reddish brown hue at maturity. -
Q: How long can I soak potatoes in water?
A: Soak raw potatoes in water for several hours when they are left sitting out without any harmful effects, or soak them overnight as long as they are refrigerated. Soaking raw potatoes in water helps to remove amylose, which is the starch molecule responsible for giving mashed potatoes a paste-like texture. The potatoes must be cut into small, 1-inch pieces to remove a significant amount of the starch. -
Q: How long does it take for bananas to ripen?
A: It can take between one to two days for bananas to ripen. If the bananas are too green to eat, then placing them in a brown paper bag with an apple overnight will speed up the ripening process.
