If there’s one thing we all love about summer, it’s the range of fruits it offers. The season spoils us with quite a few fruits including mango, watermelon, jackfruit and papaya. Another seasonal produce that brightens up our fruit basket during the season is pineapple. Golden, juicy and incredibly delicious, pineapple is one of the most favorite fruits for all. You can have it as it is or add it to a variety of foods and beverages for an extra layer of flavor. It is also full of many health beneficial properties. According to the book ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing, pineapples contain significant amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants that help you stay hydrated and prevent inflammation in the body. The fact that pineapple helps you stay nourished from within makes it a perfect fruit to enjoy during summers. But picking a ripe and juicy pineapple can be a bit difficult. Unlike other fruits, the hard and spiky outer layer of pineapple makes it difficult to perceive its flavor and texture. But fret not, as always, we’ve got your back. We bring you some easy and scintillating tips that can help you pick the perfect pineapple every time. read on.
Read also: 5 Simple Tips To Pick The Perfectly Ripe Watermelon
Here are 5 ways you can check if a pineapple is ripe or not:
1. Check Color
Checking the color of a pineapple is one of the easiest ways to determine if it is ripe. The exterior of a fresh and fully ripe pineapple will be a bright golden color with minimal to no green spots. Additionally, they will display healthy green leaves. Avoid pineapples which are mostly green on the outside.
2. Squeeze it gently
The texture of a pineapple is usually quite telling and can help determine whether it is fully ripe. A ripe pineapple should have a hard rind that is slightly soft when squeezed. On the other hand, if a pineapple is very hard when squeezed, it is not likely ripe.
3. Smell the Pineapple
Another great way to tell when a pineapple is ripe is to smell it. Ripe pineapples usually have a sweet and savory aroma near the base of the fruit. If you notice a bitter or pungent smell, chances are the pineapple is not fully ripe.
4. Check Weight
Checking the weight of a pineapple is a reliable way to tell if it is ripe. Just take two pineapples of approximately the same size and compare their weight in your hands. What seems heavy is more likely to be ripe and juicy than what is light.
5. Draw a Leaf
Gently pry out one of the leaves from the top of the pineapple. If the leaf comes off easily without resistance, this is usually a reliable indicator of ripeness. However, if you have difficulty removing a leaf, it is likely that the pineapple is not fully ripe.
Read also: Top 5 Sweet and Savory Ways to Eat Pineapple
How to cut pineapple | What is the easiest way to peel a pineapple?
Peeling a pineapple can be a cumbersome task, but is a simple Technique To make it simple. Instead of peeling it vertically or horizontally, try peeling it diagonally in a spiral pattern. Begin by cutting off the top and bottom of the pineapple while it is lying on a flat surface. Then, align the fruit vertically and slice from top to bottom to remove the outer spikes. To finish the eyes, make diagonal cuts along the sides after arranging them. This will create a spiral pattern along the edges of the fruit.
What is the best way to store pineapple?
If the pineapple is fully ripe, it is best to store it in the refrigerator, packed in plastic wrap or a bag. This way, it can stay fresh for two to four days. If the pineapple is raw, store it at room temperature in a cool place away from sunlight. For chopped pineapple, store the pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What are you waiting for? Grab a ripe and juicy pineapple and enjoy it to the fullest. Meanwhile, we have brought you some delicious pineapple recipes that you can enjoy during the summer season. Click here for more information.