How To: PIck a Fresh Pineapple

Well, last year, while on a fabulous trip to Costa Rica with the family, I learned the secret to selecting a fresh pineapple. We paid a visit to a Dole factory there, where we toured the farm and sampled the goods. We also got a quick lesson in how to pick the best: It's not by smell, and it's not by color. It's as simple as lifting the fruit by its green leaves. If you lift it and the leaf comes off in your hand, that is not a fresh pineapple. If you lift it and the leaves feel strong and sturdy, however, then you've got yourself a ripe one.

It's amazing how being armed with this knowledge has taken my confidence in the produce aisle up several notches. Now I don't hesitate to pick a pineapple, even in the cold months, because I know I'm not just rolling the dice. I can pick a winner, every single time. So much better than playing the Lottery.