Now Forage

Blueberry: Deep blue-purple with a silvery bloom; stem scar (not stem) at the top. Taste is the best test — a truly ripe blueberry is sweet and has no pink flesh inside. Let the cluster go fully blue before picking the whole thing.

Citrus: Depends on species, but universal cues: fruit is heavy for its size, skin is fully coloured for the variety, and scratch-and-sniff gives a strong citrus aroma. Most citrus holds on the tree for months once ripe.

Grapefruit: Large, yellow to pale orange. Heavy for its size; skin slightly smooth rather than puffy. Can hang on the tree for months once coloured. Taste is the best test — should be sweet-tart, not bitter.

Peach: Background skin colour shifts from green to yellow; red blush is variety-dependent and not a reliable indicator. Fruit yields to gentle pressure near the stem end. Fragrant aroma at the base. Harvest when it detaches with a slight twist — no tugging needed.