Picking the best artichoke

Artichokes are neither fruit nor vegetable. They're delicious flowers!

Picture by Matthew Wallenstein 

The tastiest ones have the following qualities:

• Fat stems (the fatter the stem, the bigger the heart 
• Bright, shiny leaves 
• Dense weight (heavy for its size)

Fresh ones give a squeak when you squeeze gently.

If you are not eating the artichoke right away, seal it in a plastic bag with a few drops of water before refrigerating.

Picking the best melondramatic fruits

Melons (such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew) are delish and stuffed with goodness. Their colors give you a hint of their superpowers. The cantaloupe is brimming with vitamin C and beta-carotene; honeydew has loads of folate; watermelon has super high levels of citrulline, which the body converts to nitric oxide (relaxes your blood vessels and lowers your blood pressure).

Some studies have shown that melons could help with anxiety, stress, panic attacks, as well as stroke and heart disease. And the beta carotene can't be bad for your eyes.

OK, OK, so we love melons. But how do you pick one?

A good melon:

• Is heavy for its size
• Sounds hollow when you tap it (if it has a dull thud, it might be overripe)
  
• Is brightly colored
• Has a yellow spot (the fruit ripened on the vine, not the warehouse)
• Plays well with others, including the ugly fruits