Buying a pineapple can be a bit of a commitment, as a bad pineapple can leave you with sour, fibrous fruit that is hard to find a use for. However, a good pineapple is sweet, floral, tangy, and sometimes even has a hint of vanilla flavor. To ensure that you choose the perfect pineapple at the grocery store, Melissa Mackay, Vice President of Marketing at Fresh Del Monte North America, shares some tips on how to nail your pineapple selection.
The best way to determine if a pineapple is ripe is to use your sense of smell. Simply smell the base of the fruit to check for a sweet, tropical aroma. If there is no smell, the pineapple may be underripe, while a fermented or sour smell could indicate an overripe or spoiled fruit. In addition to the smell test, look for pineapples that are mostly golden yellow in color. A little green is okay, but an all-green pineapple will likely be too tart. If the base of the fruit is starting to turn dark orange, it may be verging on overripe.
If you find yourself with an unripe pineapple, don’t wait for it to sweeten up, as pineapples are non-climacteric fruits that only ripen on the plant. Instead, you can store the pineapple in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or in the fridge to maintain freshness. A ripe pineapple can last three to five days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge. If the pineapple starts to develop brown spots, it’s recommended to cut it up and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for an additional three to four days.
There is no issue with storing pineapple near other fruits and vegetables, as pineapples emit very little ethylene gas, which is a ripening hormone. The thick, durable skin of a pineapple offers protection from the ethylene off-gassing produced by other fruits. So feel free to store your pineapple with other goodies in your fruit bowl. Overall, by following these tips, you can ensure that your next pineapple is super sweet and delicious, avoiding the disappointment of bringing home an unripe or bad fruit.
