What you see: A blackish, dark area under your potato’s skin; the surface may or may not appear damaged. What it is: The blackish coloration pictured above is a
Dark, water-soaked areas on green beans
What you see: Parts of your green beans look “water soaked.” What it is: Likely the result of rough handling, maybe freezing damage. Eat or toss: Inspect
Raw beef turned brown?
What you see: Your raw beef has turned brown in some areas. There may be brown patches on the surface (possibly under stickers) or you might see a layer of
Black on Brussels sprouts
What you see: Brussels sprouts with black discoloration and holes. What it is: Evidence that some other creatures have been enjoying your sprouts. Eat or toss?
Are bruised apples good to eat?
What you see: An apple with a soft brown area (or areas) on its surface.What it is: A bruised apple.Eat or toss: How bruised is the apple? An apple with a
Why is this orange black inside?
What you see: A black area inside your orange (which we’re guessing is a navel orange).What it is: Most likely a confrontation between a fungus and the
Yes, the black, sooty stuff on onions is mold — but don’t panic
What you see: Powdery black lines, clusters, dots or smudges on your onion. You may see black sooty stuff on the paper-like exterior and/or the inner
Can you eat slimy mushrooms?
What you see/feel: Your mushrooms are slimy. What it is: Your mushrooms are sporting a bacterial biofilm!Eat or toss: If the mushrooms are very slimy and/or
Can you eat sprouted garlic? Little green bit and all?
What you see: Your garlic has sprouted!What it is: The garlic trying to make more garlic. Eat or toss: Eat! Sprouted cloves may taste harsher, but if you’re
What’s the white spongy stuff around the underside of mushroom caps?
What you see: A thin, spongy, white thing attached to the bottom of the mushroom cap. It could surround the stem or be hanging off the edges of the
Can you eat a stringy avocado?
What you see: Strings in your avocado. What they are: Vascular bundles! Eat or toss: Eat! The avocado is fine, just not as creamy as you might like.
Is milk still safe to drink when it starts to spoil?
What you see/smell: Your not-so-fresh milk smells a bit off; it might even be separating or clumpingWhat it is: Spoiled milk!Eat or toss: If it’s just starting
Dark spots or discoloration on mushrooms
What you see: Brown areas on your mushrooms that won’t wash off. What it is: Discoloration from bruising or aging. Eat or toss: A little discoloration isn't a
Cookies or bars turned green?
What you see: The cookies or bars you baked with sunflower seed butter are a dark bluish green. What it is: A harmless chemical reaction involving a common
This is what happens when you press your avocados too hard
What you see: Black circles just below the avocado’s peel. You may also see small holes in the bruises. What it is: Finger bruising. Eat or toss: Eat! But you
What’s the dirt on mushrooms?
What you see: Dirt in your package of store-bought mushrooms. What is is: Peat!Eat or toss: Clean the mushrooms and eat. If you can’t get every speck of the
