Kiwi is a versatile fruit that can be used for salads, garnishes, seasonings, desserts, or as a accompaniment to ice cream. The enzymes in kiwi fruit can also be used to tenderize meat. The soft flesh of the fruit requires you to peel it carefully so it doesn't get damaged by prying or slicing. Peeling the skin with a knife or peeler is the most standard method, as is splitting it and scooping out the flesh with a spoon. But you can also boil the kiwi fruit to peel it. Here are three ways to peel a kiwi fruit.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using a Knife or Vegetable Peeler
Step 1. Hold the kiwi fruit tightly in your non-dominant hand
Step 2. Position the blade or peeler over the kiwi
Use your dominant hand to grip the knife or peeler.
Step 3. Gently press the knife until you feel the skin slightly cut
From here, you can peel it off.
Step 4. Use a saw motion to peel from top to bottom away from your hand to avoid accidentally cutting your hand
Peel gently – don't go too deep or you'll pick up too much flesh.
Step 5. Repeat the same motion on all sides of the fruit until it is completely peeled
Method 2 of 3: Using a Spoon
Step 1. Cut the top and bottom edges of the kiwi fruit using a knife
Step 2. Slide a spoon between the fruit and the flesh
Do this with the surface of the spoon facing the flesh.
Step 3. Apply slight pressure to the skin and gently twist the fruit with your other hand, so that the skin lifts
When the spoon returns to its starting position, the kiwi fruit should be completely peeled from the skin.
Method 3 of 3: Boiling
Step 1. Prepare a pot of enough water to soak the kiwi fruit –
Then boil the water.
Step 2. Put the kiwi fruit in boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds
Step 3. Remove the kiwi fruit from the water and cool it in cold water
When the fruit is cool enough to handle, you should be able to peel it by hand.
Step 4. Done
Tips
- If you need to ripen the kiwi, you can let it sit at room temperature for a few days. To speed up the process, place the fruit in a paper bag along with the banana, apple, or pear. The ethylene gas released by the three fruits will help the kiwi fruit ripen faster.
- It is best if you peel the fruit using a knife with a serrated eye.
- If you don't want to damage the fruit when you peel it, you can actually eat it directly with the skin. Just clean the fruit first.
- Despite originating in China, kiwifruit is now produced in large quantities in New Zealand, Australia, South America, and parts of Europe.
Warning
- Do not boil the kiwi fruit for too long, as this will make the flesh very soft. If this is the case, make kiwi jam.
- The enzymes in the kiwi fruit will make the gelatin and aspic unable to coagulate. Kiwis can also thicken milk, so they can't be used as an ingredient in ice cream.
