How to Tell a Rutabaga From a Turnip—Plus the Best Ways to Use These Root Vegetables

Heres what sets these two often-confused root veggies apart. The latter two are root vegetables, frequently confused due to their similar appearance. What Is a Rutabaga? Photo:Wirestock/Getty Images Flavor-wise, rutabagas are earthy and slightly bitter, with a sweetness that comes out when they are cooked. What Is a Turnip? Aturnipis also an oblong root vegetable, with purple or white skin and crunchy white flesh. The flesh of a turnip is crisp and juicy, with a kick of peppery heat....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 139 words · Julia Smith

How to Tell a Thanksgiving Cactus From a Christmas Cactus—and How to Care for Each

The differences between the two cacti are subtle, but understanding them is key to their growth. Christmas cacti have smooth, scalloped stems, while Thanksgiving cacti have pointed, pronounced stems. The Christmas cactus has softer, rounded edgesa little less intense, you could say. Photo:Getty Images True to their names, Thanksgiving cactus plants bloom earlier in the season, in late fall. Christmas cacti bring bright blooms later, during thewinter months. Thanksgiving cacti blooms come in shades of white, pink, yellow, and orange....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 338 words · Thomas Ford

How to Tell if a Home Trend Is Just a Fad or Here to Stay, According to Designers

Don’t waste your money on decor that will fall out of favor next week. This trend wouldnt go away. But today, many people stare at their shiplap walls witha sense of regret. Photo:Julieanne Birch/Getty Images It feels as if trend cycles are faster than ever these days (thanks, TikTok). So, how do you find furniture and decor that youll love for the long haul? We consulted experts for tips on how to tell if a home trend is timeless or fleeting....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 215 words · Bobby Robinson

How to Tell if a Honeydew Is Ripe, Plus Recipes to Try

Recognize the signs of a perfectly ripe melon using these easy tips. The key to delicious honeydew is paying attention to the signs its ready to eat. Cut into it too soon, and you get a hard, flavorless fruit. Photo:Getty Images When you spot one in season, here’s how to tell if it’s ripe. Also, avoid any melons with blemishes or an asymmetrical shape. Feel for Soft Spots A good way to identify a ripe honeydew is to feel around....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 272 words · Cynthia Dean

How to Tell If a Kiwi Is Ripe in 3 Easy Steps

Bite into a kiwi too soon and youre in for a tart surprise. Here are the signs its go time. Frostroomhead/Getty Images Kiwis, also known as kiwifruits, are a mysterious fruit. Photo:Frostroomhead/Getty Images Why do they have brown furry skin? What part of the kiwi is edible? How do you know when theyre ripe? Victor Protasio Plus, many people wonder whether kiwis are sweet or sour. With so much mystery surrounding these balls of nutrients and flavor, its time to set the record straight....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 267 words · Mrs. Sara Gomez

How to Tell If a Lemon Is Ripe in 4 Different Ways

When life gives you lemons, heres how to tell if theyre ripe. Melpomenem/Getty Images Have you ever cut into alemonjust to discover that its dried out with little to no juice? Well, picking the perfect lemon is harder than it sounds. Photo:Melpomenem/Getty Images Below are four simple tips for picking out ripe lemons every time you visit thegrocery storeorfarmers market. Once you become a lemon-picking pro, be sure tostore your lemonsproperly, too....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 144 words · Christopher Morrison

How to Tell If a Pineapple Is Ripe (and Sweet) Before Buying It

A pineapple farmer shares tips for picking a pineapple that’s ready to eat. Knowing how to tell if a pineapple is ripe is not easy. Unlike with some fruitlikefresh tomatoesor bananasthe texture of a pineapple is not always a reliable ripeness indicator. So, how do you know when a pineapple is ready to eat? We asked a pineapple farmer to explain how to choose a good pineapple every time. Smell the Bottom Unripe pineapples lack aroma, says pineapple farmer Emanuela Vinciguerra....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 432 words · Rebecca Mann

How to Tell if a Turkey Is Done Without a Thermometer

Use this hack to see if your turkey is cooked. Here’s what you gotta know. In most cases, the deep thigh is the last part of the turkey to be done. Photo:GMVozd/Getty Images It’s also best to ensure the bird isfully thawedbefore you start cooking to ensure it cooks evenly. With certain preparations, like smoking, the turkey meat will remain pink. You should cover your turkey with a tent of aluminum foil for most of the cooking time....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 103 words · Joseph Jacobs

How to Tell if an Avocado Is Ripe and Ready to Eat in 3 Easy Steps

Its almost guacamole time. Picking out a perfect avocado can be a tedious task. Read on to discover how to tell if an avocado is ripe. Daniel Grizelj/Getty Images Heres what to look for: Avoid avocados with large indentations or irregular shapes. Indentations and irregularities can indicate that the avocado is either overripe or damaged. Rotting or bruising can affect the quality and taste of the avocado. Greg DuPree Check out these avocado recipes that make perfect use of ripe avocados....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 203 words · Beth Richardson

How to Tell if Eggs Are Old or Safe to Eat After They Expire

If you’re only going by the sell-by date, you may be tossing out perfectly good eggs. Here’s the thing: The dates on egg cartons are less than discernible. In some states, egg packagers are required to list sell-by dates. In others, they must stamp use-by dates. And neither date tells the whole story when it comes toegg freshness. Do Eggs Go Bad? Egg cartons for sale in the United States are typically printed with a “sell-by” or expiration date....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 358 words · Gabrielle Johnston MD

How to Tell If Ground Beef Is Bad—Plus, How to Keep It Safe

Because meatballs with a side of salmonella doesnt sound too appetizing. Like most foods found on the perimeter of the supermarket, ground beef is super perishable. It can go rancid quickly, so you dont want to wait too long to cook or freeze it. Claudia Totir/Getty Images Here’s what you should probably know. Refrigerate your leftovers within two hours of cooking to ensure they stay fresh. At best, if you eat bad meat, you’ll experience a stomach ache....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 401 words · Jackson Lamb

How to Tell if Pecan Pie Is Done—Plus How to Bake It Like a Pro

You don’t need a houndstooth hat and magnifying glass to detect if your pecan pie is done. No such luck with pecan and pumpkin pie, which require a little extra detective work. She looks to strike just the right balance between a filling that’s too watery and too firm. You’re looking for the filling’s outside edges to be stable and set. Watch for Signs of Overbaking Be careful not to overbake your pecan pie....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 204 words · Michael Powell

How to Tell If Those Flyaways Are Baby Hairs, Breakage, or New Growth

Plus, how to take care of them. Key Takeaways I’ve always assumed that the sight offlyawaysmeantdamaged and broken hair. This eye-opening realization made me question the difference betweenbreakage, new growth, and baby hairs altogether. Photo: Getty Images How Can I Tell the Difference Between Breakage, New Growth, and Baby Hair? “They usually don’t grow more than a few inches.” According to Leo Izquierdo, hairstylist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care, breakage also varies in appearance....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 243 words · Matthew Garner