Don't stop me, I'll go buy some fruit after work! I'm so strong now!

One of the happiest things in summer

Just lying on the sofa after get off work

Enjoy the air conditioning and watch your favorite dramas

Eating a variety of sweet and sour fruits

Watermelon is cool and sweet

Cherry is sweet and delicious

Lychee crystal clear

Don't mention how comfortable it is!

But I wonder if there are friends who are like Tadpole, who go to the vegetable market and are "worried" by the dazzling array of fruits: which of these fruits tastes better? After looking and studying for a long time, in the end, they can only ask the boss, "Is this melon ripe?" or "Boss, please help me pick out a few delicious ones!" Friends who are in the same confusion, please take a look at this super practical "Fruit Eating Manual", you're welcome!

peach

my country has a rich variety of peaches, including white peaches, yellow peaches, nectarines, and honey peaches. Different varieties of peaches have different tastes and flavors, meeting the taste needs of different people. Peaches generally mature in the summer, and the specific time varies depending on the variety and planting area. Generally speaking, peaches in southern China mature earlier and can be picked between May and July, while in northern China they mature a little later and may continue to mature until August.

Peaches also have a special symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. In traditional Chinese culture, peaches symbolize auspiciousness, longevity and happiness. Peaches are also often used to describe beautiful things, such as "romantic luck".

Nutritional Value

Peach is a low-calorie, high-fiber fruit. It is rich in trace elements such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, and also contains antioxidants such as beta-carotene and flavonoids. Beta-carotene helps protect eyesight, and vitamin C helps skin health.

Precautions

For some people, peaches may cause allergic reactions, which may manifest as itchy skin, swollen lips, or difficulty breathing. Therefore, if you have a history of allergies or have allergic reactions, it is best to avoid eating peaches or reduce your intake and treat them under the guidance of a doctor.

In addition, peaches are rich in fructose, and excessive intake may have a certain impact on blood sugar control, especially for diabetic patients. Even if there is no allergic reaction or anxiety about gaining weight, peaches should be eaten in moderation, because excessive consumption of peaches can cause heat or indigestion.

How to choose peaches

To pick delicious peaches, you should first pay attention to the appearance. Choose peaches with bright appearance, smooth skin, and no obvious scratches or softness. Secondly, touch them. Ripe peaches should have a certain weight and elasticity, but not too soft. Then smell them. Ripe peaches usually have a strong sweet aroma.

blueberry

Blueberries generally mature in the summer, from June to August. Blueberries do not have the same deep symbolic meaning in Chinese culture as peaches, but they are becoming more and more popular due to their rich nutritional value and health benefits. Blueberries are known as "super fruits" and symbolize health and vitality.

Nutritional Value

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, which help protect eye and heart health. Blueberries are also rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fiber, which are beneficial for enhancing immunity and promoting digestion. In addition, the polyphenol compounds in blueberries have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential.

Precautions

Although blueberries are rich in nutrients, they contain a lot of fructose, so diabetics should eat them in moderation. In addition, some people may be allergic to blueberries. If they experience symptoms such as rashes or gastrointestinal discomfort after eating them, they should stop eating them immediately and consult a doctor.

How to choose blueberries

When selecting blueberries, choose those with uniform color, smooth skin, and no damage. Blueberries with a layer of white frost on the surface indicate that they are fresh and not over-processed. Gently shake the blueberry box. If you hear a loose sound, it means that the blueberries are no longer fresh.

watermelon

Summer is the best season to eat watermelon. Watermelon is widely grown in all parts of China. In traditional Chinese culture, watermelon symbolizes coolness and heat relief. There are relatively few descriptions of watermelon in ancient poems, but there are still some literati and poets who left beautiful poems about watermelon. For example, Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo's "Ode to Watermelon" :

The sun shines brightly over the wilderness,

Thirsty birds peck at the cold springs.

The best fruits in the southeast are ripe now.

The summer heat has ended and the icy water is flowing smoothly.

Nutritional Value

Watermelon is rich in water and electrolytes, which can help replenish water and relieve heat stroke. Watermelon is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and lycopene, which helps protect skin and heart health. The citrulline in watermelon helps improve blood circulation.

Precautions

Watermelon is cold in nature, so people with weak spleen and stomach should eat less. In addition, watermelon has a high sugar content, so diabetics should control the amount they eat. Due to the high water content of watermelon, excessive consumption may cause bloating and indigestion.

How to choose a watermelon

When choosing a watermelon, you can tap the skin to see if it makes a crisp sound . A crisp sound indicates that the watermelon is ripe. In addition, choose a watermelon with a smaller yellow bottom , which is usually sweeter. The skin of the watermelon should be smooth, without cracks, and the shape should be symmetrical.

litchi

Lychees mature in a short time, usually from June to July. The maturity period of lychees varies depending on the variety and the planting area. Lychees in southern regions such as Guangdong and Fujian mature earlier. Lychees symbolize happiness and good luck in Chinese culture. There are often chapters praising lychees in ancient poems. The poem "I can eat 300 lychees a day and I am willing to live in Lingnan forever" by Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu is widely circulated.

Nutritional Value

Lychees are rich in vitamin C, potassium and a variety of antioxidants, which help to enhance immunity and promote blood circulation. Lychees have a high sugar content, which can quickly replenish energy. In addition, lychees also contain a certain amount of dietary fiber, which helps digestion.

Precautions

Lychees are hot in nature, and eating too much may cause "lychee disease" (hypoglycemia). Therefore, it is not advisable to eat more than 10 lychees at a time. For diabetics and children, it is especially necessary to control the amount of lychees they eat. Eating too much lychees may also cause internal heat and indigestion.

How to choose lychees

Choose lychees with ruddy, undamaged, and firm skin. They should have a natural fragrance and no peculiar smell. Lychees with black or dry skin may be stale, and their taste and nutritional value will be reduced.

cherry

Cherries mature early, usually from May to June. Cherries are grown all over my country, with a wide variety of varieties. Cherries symbolize beauty and preciousness in Chinese culture. Since cherry trees bear fruit early and have low yields, cherries have been regarded as rare fruits since ancient times and have the reputation of being the "first fruit of spring."

Nutritional Value

Cherries are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and protect heart health. Cherries also contain natural melatonin, which helps improve sleep. Cherries are high in iron, which is good for preventing anemia.

Precautions

Cherries contain more iron and fructose. Excessive consumption may cause indigestion and increased blood sugar. In addition, cherries are warm in nature, so people who are prone to getting angry should eat them in moderation. Excessive consumption of cherries may also cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

How to Pick Cherries

When buying cherries, you should choose cherries with bright colors, green and tender stems, and no damage. The cherries should be full and have no soft spots. Fresh cherries have smooth and shiny skin, and the fruit is firm but not too hard.

Colorful fruits

It's like summer on nature's palette

Painted a gorgeous picture

Take a bite of the blueberries with moderate sweetness and sourness, and feel the freshness and vitality they bring; take a bite of the juicy peach, and you will feel as if you are in the beautiful scenery of the Peach Blossom Land; cut a cool watermelon, and the heat of the scorching summer will be instantly dispelled; taste a few lychees, and the sweet flesh will dance on the tip of your tongue; have a few cherries, and it will be as if you have eaten a whole piece of summer sunshine.

No matter which fruit you like, they can add a touch of coolness and sweetness to your summer. What other tips do you know for choosing fruits? Feel free to leave a message and share with everyone!

END

References:

[1] Li Ling. Make summer fruit meals more abundant[J]. Public Health, 2021(07):90-91.

[2] Xie Dongyan, Li Xiao, Xu Jing, et al. Evaluation of nutritional quality of yellow peach from different origins[J]. Zhejiang Agricultural Sciences, 2023, 64(01): 25-28.

[3] Zhao Aiqin. Is it good to eat watermelon in summer? [J]. Health and Beauty, 2021, (08): 94-95.

[4] Zhang Mingwei, Health effects and molecular mechanisms of the main active substances in litchi. Guangdong Province, Sericulture and Agricultural Products Processing Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2021-12-27.

[5] Chen Yao, Cai Feng, Ai Jiayin, et al. Research progress on sweet cherry fruit quality[J]. Chinese Fruit Trees, 2024, (02): 6-11.

[6] Jiang Nonghui, Zhu Huili, Liu Wei, et al. Comprehensive analysis of nutritional metabolites in litchi pulp based on extensive metabolomics[J]. Food Science, 2022, 43(16): 269-278.

Author: Xiaojuan is not Juan, Master of Food Science and Engineering from Henan University of Technology