The answer to how to ripen a pineapple starts with choosing a good one at the store. The fact is that pineapples stop ripening the moment they are removed from their plant.
How To Ripen A Fresh Pineapple
Pineapples are a tropical delight, but sometimes you end up with one that’s just not quite ready to eat. While pineapples don’t ripen in the traditional sense once they’re picked, there are a few tricks to help make them softer and sweeter. In this post, we’ll walk you through some simple methods to get your pineapple ready for eating.
Understanding Pineapple Ripening
First, it’s important to know that pineapples are harvested when ripe. Unlike some other fruits, they won’t get significantly sweeter after being picked, but they can soften and develop more flavor over time. That’s why it’s key to choose a good pineapple to start with. Look for one with a golden color, firm skin, and a sweet aroma at the base.
Methods to Ripen a Pineapple
Method 1: Room Temperature
One of the easiest ways to soften your pineapple is to let it sit at room temperature. Place the pineapple on its side and rotate it daily to ensure even softening. Some people swear by storing it upside down, on the leafy end, which is said to help distribute the sugars more evenly throughout the fruit.
Method 2: Brown Paper Bag
Another effective method is to place the pineapple in a brown paper bag along with an apple or banana. These fruits release ethylene gas, which can help speed up the softening process. Just be sure to check the pineapple daily to avoid it becoming too soft.
Method 3: Speeding Up the Process
If you’re in a hurry, try placing the pineapple on a sunny windowsill for a day or two. The warmth can help the fruit soften faster, but be careful not to leave it out too long, as it can quickly turn from ripe to overripe.
How to Tell If It’s Ready
Wondering when your pineapple is ready to eat? Here are some signs to look for:
Softness: The exterior should give slightly when pressed.
Fragrance: You’ll notice a sweeter, stronger pineapple aroma.
Leaves: The leaves should pull out easily from the crown.
Color: The pineapple should have a deep golden hue.
Remember to check your pineapple daily, especially if you’re using methods to speed up the process, to prevent it from becoming too soft or mushy.
Storing Your Pineapple
Once your pineapple is perfectly ripened, you can store it in the refrigerator if you’re not planning to eat it immediately. It will keep for about a week, either whole or cut into pieces and stored in an airtight container. If you have more pineapple than you can eat, consider freezing the cut pieces for later use in smoothies or desserts.
Quick Hint: If pineapple is ripe in the store, it will smell sweet
This is why it is better to pick the perfect pineapple rather than ripen it once it has been purchased. This became important to us for our pineapple salsa.
How to Choose a Perfect Pineapple
- Wide swath of deep yellow color
- Crown is green and firm
- Firm feel overall
- Check the base for the orange color
- Smell the base for sweetness
How to Ripen Pineapple
We recommend two methods for how to ripen a pineapple quickly. Of course, do keep in mind that pineapple is as ripened as it will ever be the moment that it is picked.
So these steps are frankly, helping you yield a sweeter and juicier pineapple.
But it will still come out quite yummy using either of these processes below.
Method 1 – The Paper Bag Method
What you will need
- A whole pineapple
- A large paper bag
- An apple, pear, or nectarine
Step 1: Place the pineapple and secondary piece of fruit in the paper bag.
Step 2: Fold the top of the bag closed.
Step 3: Leave the paper bag on the countertop at room temperature for 12 hours.
Step 4: Check the pineapple to see if it has reached the desired look and feel.
You will know that your pineapple is ready when you smell it and it has that perfect sweet scent that is so familiar.
Once it reaches this point be sure to remove both pieces of fruit from the paper bag.
Pineapple can go from unripe to overripe using this process quickly.
So keep a close eye on it after those initial 12 hours.
If when you first check, the pineapple doesn’t seem ready set a timer and check it every 2 hours until it is.
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Method 2 – The Upside-Down Method
The first method involves standing the fruit upside down on their leaves.
This method allows the pineapple’s natural sugars to flow all the way down to the core resulting in faster ripening.
At the same time, this method also stops fermentation from happening on its base.
One of the frustrating issues that can come up with pineapple is the bottom getting mushy and overripe and the top not being ripe yet.
There is a simple process to help prevent this from happening.
You can flip the pineapple upside down and ripen it that way.
This will keep the juices and sugars from pooling at the bottom of the pineapple.
Instead, they will redistribute more evenly throughout the fruit.
One of the problems with this method is getting your pineapple to stay upside down without tumbling over.
We will resolve that in the steps down below.
What you will need
- A whole pineapple
- Kitchen shears
Step 1: Trip the pineapple leaves so that they are all the same or near the same length.
Keep them long enough so that they are stiff but even.
Be careful, the leaves are stiff and prickly.
Step 2: Place the pineapple upside down on the countertop at room temperature.
Once the pineapple appears ripe, place it in the refrigerator on its side.
Don’t leave it upside on the counter after it is ripe because this process will shorten the life of the pineapple if it isn’t properly stored afterward.
How Do You Tell if a Pineapple Is Ripe?
The easiest way to tell if a pineapple is ripe to smell the stem. If it smells sweet, it is most likely ripe.
Also, ripe pineapples will have a bit of give to them when they are ripe and not feel too firm. Finally, flip it over and look at the bottom. It should some orange color on the bottom of it.
If it is only green, it isn’t ripe.
Is Eating Unripe Pineapple Dangerous?
Eating unripe pineapple can sure make someone sick, but it is generally not considered dangerous, per se; it can cause discomfort and unpleasant symptoms, though. Unripe pineapple contains higher levels of bromelain, a group of enzymes that can irritate your mouth, lips, and throat, causing a burning or tingling sensation. Additionally, unripe pineapple is more acidic and less sweet, which can lead to stomach discomfort, including nausea or diarrhea, for some people.
While these effects are usually temporary and not life-threatening, it’s best to eat ripe pineapple to avoid any potential irritation or digestive upset.
How to Store Pineapple
If stored in the refrigerator, it can last a bit longer—up to about 1 to 2 weeks—if properly stored in the vegetable drawer. To maximize its freshness, it’s best to eat the pineapple within this timeframe. Once cut, pineapple should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3 to 5 days. Keeping a whole pineapple for six months would likely result in spoilage and a significant loss of quality.properly stored in the vegetable drawer, pineapple can last a bit longer—up to about 1 to 2 weeks—in the refrigerator
Can You Freeze Pineapple?
You can freeze cut pineapple pieces. That said, frozen pineapple will thaw into very juicy pieces because freezing breaks down the fruit at a cellular level. They are good for smoothies, smoothie bowls, processed into custards or fruit pulp, preserves and cooked compote, canning, and baked goods.
The bottom line
Ripening a pineapple at home is simple with these easy methods. Whether you choose to let it sit at room temperature, use a brown paper bag, or place it on a sunny windowsill, you’ll soon have a deliciously soft and sweet pineapple ready to enjoy. Give these tips a try and enjoy the tropical taste of a perfectly ripened pineapple!
If you have any other tips for ripening pineapples or have any questions, feel free to share them in the comments below!
How to ripen a pineapple
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Ingredients
- 1 pineapple
- 1 apple
- 1 paper bag
Instructions
- Place the pineapple and an apple in a paper bag.
- Fold the paper bag closed and clip it so that it remains closed.
- Leave the bag on your kitchen counter at room temperature for 24 hours.
- Remove the pineapple from the bag after 24 hours.
- Cut and serve as desired.
