There are few things worse than shelling out money on fresh produce, only to find it’s overripe, rotten, or completely lacking in flavor. To ensure your cucumbers are crisp and your nectarines juicy, we’ve compiled the ultimate A-to-Z guide to choosing produce like a pro. Created with expert advice from the USDA, a nutritionist, and a recipe developer, this handy chart takes the guesswork out of grocery shopping—whether you’re speeding through the store or perusing a local farmer’s market.
Print your own version for the fridge (or your bag) here.
This article originally appeared on Real Simple
More from Real Simple:
Read next: 12 Ways to Make Your Food Last Longer
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- TIME’s Top 10 Photos of 2024
- Why Gen Z Is Drinking Less
- The Best Movies About Cooking
- Why Is Anxiety Worse at Night?
- A Head-to-Toe Guide to Treating Dry Skin
- Why Street Cats Are Taking Over Urban Neighborhoods
- Column: Jimmy Carter’s Global Legacy Was Moral Clarity
Contact us at letters@time.com