Ready for a summer fruit salad but unsure how to choose and store the fruit to get the best? Here's how to select and store five of the summer's favorites.

The fruits of summer are some of the tastiest treats of the year. Put perfectly ripened fresh strawberries, melons, peaches, and bananas into a fruit salad, and how can anyone go wrong? It’s easy.

That’s why choosing summer fruit at its peak and storing it properly will go a long way in making that delectable perfect fruit salad.

Bananas

Yes, bananas really are a year-round fruit, however, they go so well in a summer fruit salad.

Regardless of what time of year they are purchased, select bananas that are yellow with no brown spotting. They may even have a slight tinge of green as long as they are not completely green. Avoid placing bananas in the refrigerator as it quickens the darkening of their outer peel. Best to leave them on the counter on their side, not on the back as most stores do. Keeping a banana on the back can bruise it, while storing it on its side helps it to ripen better.

Cantaloupe

The best time for cantaloupe is generally June to August, though depending on location and climate, they may be available other times of the year.

While the outer skin should be as free of dents and bruises as possible, minor inconsistency in the skin will not spoil the fruit inside. To check for ripeness, gently press a thumb on the stem end of the fruit. It should feel soft. This is also where to give the cantaloupe a good sniff. If it has the sweet smell of the fruit, then it is likely to taste as good.

Peaches

The ideal months for peaches are August and September, however, with a little observation they can be found and ripened earlier in the summer.

First, look for fruit that has golden undertones with a red blush. Next, smell fruit for its sweetness. If it doesn’t have a fragrance, it may have been picked too early. They should be firm, but not rock hard. Finally, do not store peaches in the refrigerator or they will become mushy instead of ripen. Instead, place them in a brown paper bag on the counter for a day or two, and be sure to eat promptly.

Strawberries

Depending on location and climate, strawberries are generally a good bet all summer long.

Make sure to look for strawberries that are firm, vibrant and full of color, and free of imperfections like bruises or pale spots. Because most stores sell berries in plastic containers, it can sometimes be difficult to see them all. Open and inspect as well as turn the container over and look for damaged or moldy berries. Finally, take a sniff and see if there is that heady rush of fresh strawberry. If so, take them home.

Be sure to rinse and restore berries in an airtight container in the fruit drawer of the refrigerator to help them stay fresh longer.

Watermelon

Nothing says summer like ice cold crisp watermelon – especially without the seeds!

Regardless if the watermelon is with or without seeds, be sure to look for a dark green outer shell that has a hint of yellow or in some varieties lighter green stripes. Check to make sure it is free from cracks, bruises and soft spots.

While it’s not always easy to check for the ripeness of the fruit, flicking a finger on the side can help. Listen for a ping rather than a dull thud sound. It may take a while to get the hang of the difference, but keep at it.

Finally, storing the watermelon whole makes it last longer. As with most summer fruit once cut it is important to eat it within a few days to get the best quality.