ASSISTANT PRODUCE MANAGER COMPLETE EXAMINATION DOCUMENT
WITH ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MARKED CORRECT, FULLY
UPDATED TO THE LATEST VERSION
1. Q: What is the proper storage temperature for bananas? ANSWER
Bananas should be stored at 56-70°F. They ripen faster at warmer temperatures
and can be refrigerated at 50-55°F to slow ripening.
2. Q: How do you check if an avocado is ripe? ANSWER Gently squeeze the
avocado in your palm. A ripe avocado yields slightly to pressure but is not
mushy. Avoid squeezing at the tip.
3. Q: What causes brown spots on bananas? ANSWER Brown spots indicate
ethylene gas production, which is natural ripening. The fruit is still good to eat
and is actually sweeter at this stage.
4. Q: How long can lettuce stay fresh in storage? ANSWER Iceberg lettuce
lasts 7-10 days at 32-36°F. Romaine and other varieties may last slightly shorter
periods.
5. Q: What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes? ANSWER
Yams are starchy tubers from Africa with rough skin, while sweet potatoes are
sweeter and softer. Most "yams" in US stores are actually sweet potatoes.
6. Q: How do you ripen avocados quickly? ANSWER Place avocados in a
paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas speeds ripening to 1-3 days.
7. Q: Why do apples have a waxy coating? ANSWER The coating seals
moisture inside and protects the fruit from bacteria and fungi. It's food-safe but
can be washed off.
8. Q: What is the best way to store tomatoes? ANSWER Store at room
temperature (68-72°F) stem-side down. Refrigeration damages flavor and
texture unless the tomato is very ripe.
9. Q: How long do berries last in the refrigerator? ANSWER Strawberries
last 5-7 days, blueberries last 10-14 days, and raspberries last 2-3 days at 32-
36°F.
,10. Q: What causes carrots to become limp? ANSWER Loss of moisture.
Store carrots in the refrigerator crisper in an airtight bag to maintain crispness
for 3-4 weeks.
11. Q: How do you identify a ripe pineapple? ANSWER Look for a golden-
yellow color, sweet aroma at the base, and slight give when squeezed. The
crown leaves should pull out easily.
12. Q: Why do onions make you cry? ANSWER Onions release sulfur
compounds when cut. These form a mild acid that irritates eyes. Chilling onions
first reduces this effect.
13. Q: What is the shelf life of fresh broccoli? ANSWER Broccoli lasts 3-5
days in the refrigerator when stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer.
14. Q: How do you store fresh herbs? ANSWER Stand herbs upright in a
glass of water like flowers, cover loosely with plastic, and refrigerate. This
keeps them fresh 1-2 weeks.
15. Q: What does "vine-ripened" mean? ANSWER It means tomatoes were
allowed to fully ripen on the vine before harvesting, resulting in better flavor
than tomatoes picked green.
16. Q: How can you tell if garlic has gone bad? ANSWER Bad garlic
becomes soft, develops mold, sprouts, or has a rancid smell. Fresh garlic should
be firm and have papery white skin.
17. Q: What is the proper temperature for storing citrus fruits? ANSWER
Citrus stores best at 50-58°F. It can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 weeks
or in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
18. Q: Why do some potatoes have green skin? ANSWER Green indicates
solanine development from light exposure. While not toxic in small amounts,
heavily green potatoes should be discarded.
19. Q: How do you select fresh peppers? ANSWER Choose peppers with
firm skin, no soft spots, and a shiny appearance. They should feel heavy for
their size.
20. Q: What is the difference between red and white cabbage? ANSWER
Red cabbage has higher anthocyanin content (antioxidants) and a slightly
sweeter, more peppery flavor than white cabbage.
, 21. Q: How long do cucumbers stay fresh? ANSWER Cucumbers last 3-5
days in the refrigerator. Store in a plastic bag in the warmest part of the fridge,
as they're sensitive to cold.
22. Q: What causes potatoes to sprout? ANSWER Potatoes sprout when
exposed to light, warmth, or humidity. Store in a cool, dark place at 45-50°F to
prevent sprouting.
23. Q: How do you know when watermelon is ripe? ANSWER Look for a
creamy yellow spot where it sat, a hollow sound when tapped, and a fragrant
sweet smell at the base.
24. Q: What is the best way to store mushrooms? ANSWER Store in a paper
bag (not plastic) in the refrigerator. They last 7-10 days but are best used within
3-4 days.
25. Q: Why are some oranges seedless? ANSWER Seedless oranges are
cultivated through grafting and propagation. They don't develop seeds due to
sterility in the variety.
26. Q: How do you select fresh spinach? ANSWER Choose dark green, crisp
leaves with no yellowing or wilting. Avoid any with slime or strong odor.
27. Q: What is the proper storage for fresh corn? ANSWER Store corn in
the refrigerator with husks on for up to 3 days. The longer it sits, the more sugar
converts to starch.
28. Q: How can you tell if celery is fresh? ANSWER Fresh celery is crisp,
has firm stalks, and bright green leaves. Avoid celery with brown edges or soft,
wilted stalks.
29. Q: Why do apples turn brown after cutting? ANSWER An enzyme
called polyphenol oxidase causes browning when exposed to air. Lemon juice
slows this oxidation.
30. Q: What is the shelf life of fresh ginger? ANSWER Fresh ginger lasts 3
weeks at room temperature or 1-2 months refrigerated in a plastic bag.
31. Q: How do you select ripe kiwis? ANSWER Choose kiwis that yield
slightly to gentle pressure. They can be ripened in a paper bag with an apple for
1-3 days.
WITH ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MARKED CORRECT, FULLY
UPDATED TO THE LATEST VERSION
1. Q: What is the proper storage temperature for bananas? ANSWER
Bananas should be stored at 56-70°F. They ripen faster at warmer temperatures
and can be refrigerated at 50-55°F to slow ripening.
2. Q: How do you check if an avocado is ripe? ANSWER Gently squeeze the
avocado in your palm. A ripe avocado yields slightly to pressure but is not
mushy. Avoid squeezing at the tip.
3. Q: What causes brown spots on bananas? ANSWER Brown spots indicate
ethylene gas production, which is natural ripening. The fruit is still good to eat
and is actually sweeter at this stage.
4. Q: How long can lettuce stay fresh in storage? ANSWER Iceberg lettuce
lasts 7-10 days at 32-36°F. Romaine and other varieties may last slightly shorter
periods.
5. Q: What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes? ANSWER
Yams are starchy tubers from Africa with rough skin, while sweet potatoes are
sweeter and softer. Most "yams" in US stores are actually sweet potatoes.
6. Q: How do you ripen avocados quickly? ANSWER Place avocados in a
paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas speeds ripening to 1-3 days.
7. Q: Why do apples have a waxy coating? ANSWER The coating seals
moisture inside and protects the fruit from bacteria and fungi. It's food-safe but
can be washed off.
8. Q: What is the best way to store tomatoes? ANSWER Store at room
temperature (68-72°F) stem-side down. Refrigeration damages flavor and
texture unless the tomato is very ripe.
9. Q: How long do berries last in the refrigerator? ANSWER Strawberries
last 5-7 days, blueberries last 10-14 days, and raspberries last 2-3 days at 32-
36°F.
,10. Q: What causes carrots to become limp? ANSWER Loss of moisture.
Store carrots in the refrigerator crisper in an airtight bag to maintain crispness
for 3-4 weeks.
11. Q: How do you identify a ripe pineapple? ANSWER Look for a golden-
yellow color, sweet aroma at the base, and slight give when squeezed. The
crown leaves should pull out easily.
12. Q: Why do onions make you cry? ANSWER Onions release sulfur
compounds when cut. These form a mild acid that irritates eyes. Chilling onions
first reduces this effect.
13. Q: What is the shelf life of fresh broccoli? ANSWER Broccoli lasts 3-5
days in the refrigerator when stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer.
14. Q: How do you store fresh herbs? ANSWER Stand herbs upright in a
glass of water like flowers, cover loosely with plastic, and refrigerate. This
keeps them fresh 1-2 weeks.
15. Q: What does "vine-ripened" mean? ANSWER It means tomatoes were
allowed to fully ripen on the vine before harvesting, resulting in better flavor
than tomatoes picked green.
16. Q: How can you tell if garlic has gone bad? ANSWER Bad garlic
becomes soft, develops mold, sprouts, or has a rancid smell. Fresh garlic should
be firm and have papery white skin.
17. Q: What is the proper temperature for storing citrus fruits? ANSWER
Citrus stores best at 50-58°F. It can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 weeks
or in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
18. Q: Why do some potatoes have green skin? ANSWER Green indicates
solanine development from light exposure. While not toxic in small amounts,
heavily green potatoes should be discarded.
19. Q: How do you select fresh peppers? ANSWER Choose peppers with
firm skin, no soft spots, and a shiny appearance. They should feel heavy for
their size.
20. Q: What is the difference between red and white cabbage? ANSWER
Red cabbage has higher anthocyanin content (antioxidants) and a slightly
sweeter, more peppery flavor than white cabbage.
, 21. Q: How long do cucumbers stay fresh? ANSWER Cucumbers last 3-5
days in the refrigerator. Store in a plastic bag in the warmest part of the fridge,
as they're sensitive to cold.
22. Q: What causes potatoes to sprout? ANSWER Potatoes sprout when
exposed to light, warmth, or humidity. Store in a cool, dark place at 45-50°F to
prevent sprouting.
23. Q: How do you know when watermelon is ripe? ANSWER Look for a
creamy yellow spot where it sat, a hollow sound when tapped, and a fragrant
sweet smell at the base.
24. Q: What is the best way to store mushrooms? ANSWER Store in a paper
bag (not plastic) in the refrigerator. They last 7-10 days but are best used within
3-4 days.
25. Q: Why are some oranges seedless? ANSWER Seedless oranges are
cultivated through grafting and propagation. They don't develop seeds due to
sterility in the variety.
26. Q: How do you select fresh spinach? ANSWER Choose dark green, crisp
leaves with no yellowing or wilting. Avoid any with slime or strong odor.
27. Q: What is the proper storage for fresh corn? ANSWER Store corn in
the refrigerator with husks on for up to 3 days. The longer it sits, the more sugar
converts to starch.
28. Q: How can you tell if celery is fresh? ANSWER Fresh celery is crisp,
has firm stalks, and bright green leaves. Avoid celery with brown edges or soft,
wilted stalks.
29. Q: Why do apples turn brown after cutting? ANSWER An enzyme
called polyphenol oxidase causes browning when exposed to air. Lemon juice
slows this oxidation.
30. Q: What is the shelf life of fresh ginger? ANSWER Fresh ginger lasts 3
weeks at room temperature or 1-2 months refrigerated in a plastic bag.
31. Q: How do you select ripe kiwis? ANSWER Choose kiwis that yield
slightly to gentle pressure. They can be ripened in a paper bag with an apple for
1-3 days.
