How can you tell if a pineapple is ripe?
1. Be alert for two key elements of a ripe pineapple: freshness and deterioration. You are looking for a fresh pineapple, not a rotting one. The stem is the area of the pineapple that feeds sugar to the fruit. It is from here that the pineapple changes color. 2. Look at the pineapple. It should reflect a golden yellow color. The minimum area for this should be on the eyes at the base of the fruit. Never purchase a pineapple that is fully green as it will not ripen well. The higher the color rises up the pineapple, the sweeter it will be. 3. Smell the pineapple. If it smells sweet, then it’s ready. If it has no scent, it’s not ripe. If it smells fermented, it’s over ripe! 4. Touch the pineapple gently. It should be firm to a gentle press and only yield slightly. 5. Beware the myth! It is an urban myth that a pineapple is ripe when a leaf can be removed from the crown easily. It is proof of nothing in terms of ripeness. 6. Beware the deteriorating pineapple.
The pineapple should be very firm, not soft or spongy, with no bruises or soft spots. If you find a good-looking pineapple and you’re going to use it right away, ask the shop manager to cut it in half to make sure it’s not discolored inside. Reject it if it is. Finally, use your nose. If the pineapple has a good aroma, it’s ripe. If you can’t smell much of anything, it needs to be ripened. If it has a fermented smell, don’t buy it! For more information: http://www.producepete.com/shows/pineapple.
Steps 1. Be alert for two key elements of a ripe pineapple: freshness and deterioration. You are looking for a fresh pineapple, not a rotting one. The stem is the area of the pineapple that feeds sugar to the fruit. It is from here that the pineapple changes color. 2. Look at the pineapple. It should reflect a golden yellow color. The minimum area for this should be on the eyes at the base of the fruit. Never purchase a pineapple that is fully green as it will not ripen well. The higher the color rises up the pineapple, the sweeter it will be. The pineapples in the photo above indicate good coloring. 3. Smell the pineapple. If it smells sweet, then it’s ready. If it has no scent, it’s not ripe. If it smells fermented, it’s over ripe! 4. Touch the pineapple gently. It should be firm to a gentle press and only yield slightly. 5. Beware the myth! It is an urban myth that a pineapple is ripe when a leaf can be removed from the crown easily. It is proof of nothing in terms of ripeness. 6. B
