How to Choose a Ripe Pineapple and Store it?

Pineapple is one of the fruits that does not ripen after harvesting. Though some color change and softening may happen on storage, it will not improve the taste of the fruit. It will simply soften and rot on the kitchen counter. So choosing a ripe one is always better.

However, picking a ripe pineapple is a bit challenging. Pineapple does not reveal many details from outside due to its thick and spiky skin. Yet, it is quite easy to tell if a pineapple is ripe or not.

Here is help!!!

We can judge the ripeness of pineapple by smell, feel, and colour of the fruit.

Smell the fruit

Smell the fruit from the base. A sweet fruity smell like that of pineapple juice indicates that the pineapple is ripe.
Avoid if it smells too strong or sour like vinegar, it is a sign of rotting.
If there is no smell, then the fruit is unripe and not sweet.
Cold pineapples also do not smell much.

Feel the fruit

Hold pineapple in hand and try to squeeze with fingers. One that feels firm but still gives a little way on medium pressure is ripe.
Pineapple that is too hard to press is unripe while one that gives easily is overripe.

Observe the colour of the fruit

As pineapple ripens color changes from green to golden or yellow-orange, starting from the base gradually ascending upwards. Higher the color has risen, sweeter it will be.
A general rule is yellower a pineapple is from outside more ripe it will be. But it is not a fool proof method because-
- In some varieties, pineapple may be fully ripe while still green from outside.
- Another consideration is that the color of pineapple also changes on storage.
So there is no clear link between the color of fruit and its sweetness. It is better to look for signs of freshness instead of relying on the color alone.
Look at the color of leaves- crisp and green leaves indicate a recent harvest. A less yellow pineapple with healthy green leaves is better than a yellower pineapple with brown withered leaves is because it might have a change of color due to storage and is probably unripe.

Assess the weight

Choose the pineapple which is heavier for its size or heavier among similar-sized ones. Heavier the fruit, juicier it will be.

Look at the condition of the pineapple

A ripe pineapple looks plump.
Look around for any soft spots, wetness and moulds with special attention at the base and adjacent sides as decay is quite common at these places.

Look at the shape of the eyes on pineapple Look at the eyes (spiked centers of the circles created by the geometric pattern on the pineapple). Go for fruit with large, filled out, and relatively flat eyes. Size and shape of eyes point out maturity and ripeness of the fruit.

Do not buy pineapples which are-

have wrinkled, dark orangish-brown skin
extra soft, mushy, easily give on pressing
full green in colour and are rock hard
eyes not filled out, having deep creases in between them
having cracks or leakage
brown withered leaves
smells like vinegar or alcohol

Above are not the signs of a great pineapple.

How to Store Pineapple at Home?

Despite a tough skin, pineapple spoils very fast. Here comes the role of proper storage.

You can store a whole ripe pineapple on the kitchen counter for 1-2 days. A partially ripe pineapple can be allowed to sit at room temperature little longer. It will soften and change colour on the storage but will become sweet. Keep checking in between for signs of decay.
If you need to store more than that, keep the ripe pineapple in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag. Make sure that bag has holes on it to allow for ventilation. It will remain fresh for 3-5 days. You can cut short the crown/ leaves, leaving the fruit intact, if having space constraint in the refrigerator.
If you need to store it for little longer, cut your pineapple. Now you can store your cut pineapple (sliced or diced) in an airtight container for one week.
For the long-term storage, you can either freeze or dehydrate pineapple.

How to Prepare Frozen Pineapple at Home?

Frozen pineapple is very refreshing and pretty easy to prepare at home.

First, cut and dice a ripe pineapple. Make sure pineapple used is not bad. Arrange these chunks singly on a tray lined with wax paper and freeze overnight. Do not put all chunks together for freezing, you will end up with a rock-solid lump of pineapple pieces stuck together.

Next morning transfer them in a zip lock freezer bag or airtight container and return to the freezer. Remove as much air as possible from the bag. It is better to store the frozen pineapple pieces in multiple smaller bags rather than storing them altogether. Label the date of preparation.

Just take the required quantity when you need and immediately return the rest to the fridge.

Ways for using frozen pineapples:

Frozen pineapple can be used for preparing smoothies, icecreams.
It can also be used instead of ice cubes in juices, yoghurts and drinks.
It can be a healthy alternative for popsicles.
If you want to eat pineapple but not the frozen one, just thaw frozen ones, then shift required quantity from freezer to refrigerator, let it sit there few hours and you can enjoy cool refreshing pineapple. This method of thawing is best but time taking. Another way is you can dip the Ziploc bag with the required quantity of pineapple in cold water for thawing.
Frozen pineapples can be stored for about 6 months.

#Tip You can plant crown of mature pineapple to grow a pineapple plant.

Take away:

Taste and flavour of fresh pineapple are incomparable. One can easily pick a pipe pineapple by smell and squeeze test and looking at the shape of eyes. Pineapple deteriorates very fast so keep it refrigerated.