Pick the best monsoon fruits

• Monsoon brings seasonal fruits like jamun, peaches and plums to India
• Pick dark purple jamun or heavy pomegranates for maximum juice
• Use scent, weight and skin texture to select the freshest produce

The arrival of the monsoon doesn’t just bring relief from the summer heat; it transforms local markets into a vibrant showcase of seasonal fruits. Here’s your guide to picking the best of the bunch and savouring the unique flavours of the rains.

Jamun (Java Plum)

This iconic monsoon fruit, with its distinct sweet and tart flavour, is a seasonal favourite across India. When selecting jamun, colour is your most reliable guide. Look for fruits that are a deep, dark purple or almost black, as this indicates they are fully ripe and sweet. Avoid any that are still reddish or light purple, as they will likely be sour. The skin should be smooth, shiny, and unblemished. A ripe jamun will feel firm but yield slightly to a gentle press; if it's rock-hard, it's unripe, and if it’s mushy, it's past its prime. Also, give them a sniff—a fresh batch should have a mild, pleasant fruity scent, not a sour or fermented one. Since they are highly perishable, it's best to consume them soon after buying.

Peaches (Aadu)

Juicy, fragrant peaches are a true monsoon delight, perfect for eating fresh or adding to desserts. To choose a good one, trust your senses. A ripe peach should have a sweet, floral aroma, especially near the stem. If it has no smell, it's probably not ready yet. Look at the background colour of the skin, which should be a rich golden or creamy yellow, not green. The red blush is a characteristic of the variety, not a sign of ripeness. Gently press the fruit near the stem; it should have a slight give, feeling soft but not squishy. A peach that feels heavy for its size is also a good sign, indicating it's full of juice. Avoid any with wrinkled skin, bruises, or soft spots.

Plums (Aloo Bukhara)

Plums offer a wonderful balance of sweetness and tartness. When picking them, look for fruits that are plump and feel heavy for their size. A ripe plum will yield to gentle pressure, especially near the stem, without feeling overly soft or mushy. While colour varies by variety from bright red to deep purple, you should generally select those with rich and even colouring. Many ripe plums have a dusty white coating, which is a natural bloom and a sign of freshness. Steer clear of any with shrivelled skin, breaks, or bruises, as these are signs of spoilage.

Cherries

Fresh cherries from Himalayan regions are a special treat during the early monsoon. The best indicator of freshness is often the stem; look for cherries with green, flexible stems still attached, as this means they were recently harvested. The fruit itself should be firm, plump, and have shiny, smooth skin. Dull or wrinkled skin suggests the cherry is losing moisture and freshness. The colour should be deep and rich for its variety—deep red to nearly black for Bing cherries, for instance. While size isn't always the best indicator, cherries that feel heavy for their size are typically juicier. Avoid any with soft spots or visible bruising.

Pomegranate (Anar)

Pomegranates are available for a longer season, but the monsoon harvest is particularly rewarding. The key to a good pomegranate is weight. It should feel surprisingly heavy for its size, which indicates an abundance of juicy seeds, or arils, inside. The skin should be firm and taut, with a fresh, leathery appearance. Don't be too focused on colour, as it can range from medium pink to deep red depending on the variety and isn't a reliable sign of ripeness. Look for a fruit that has a slightly angular or squared shape rather than being perfectly round, as this can mean the seeds inside are plump and pressing against the skin. Avoid any with cracks or soft, mushy spots.