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Avocado: Avocados ripen off the tree, not on it. Harvest when full-sized and skin darkens (Hass: dark green to black). Test by removing the stem button — green underneath means not ready, yellow-green means close, brown means overripe. Ripen at room temperature for 3–7 days.

Orange: Fully orange skin (can be green-tinged in warm climates and still ripe). Heavy for its size, with a smooth, slightly glossy skin. Scratch and sniff — a sweet orange smell confirms ripeness. Navel oranges develop the distinctive navel opposite the stem.

Tomato: Uniformly coloured (red, orange, yellow, or purple by variety) with slight give when squeezed. A ripe tomato separates easily from the vine. Fully coloured fruit stored at room temperature — never refrigerate.