Before cutting a pineapple, you have to make sure that the fruit is really ripe! Fortunately, it's very easy to tell when a pineapple is ripe by looking at it, as long as you know what to look out for.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Smell and Touch
Step 1. Smell the pineapple
Turn the pineapple over and smell the ends of the stalks. The sweet aroma is often considered the most important aspect in determining the ripeness of the pineapple. If it doesn't smell sweet, the pineapple may not be ripe.
- Try smelling the pineapple from the other side. The sweet aroma of pineapple may not be the same on every side. However, you can still smell the aroma from the tip of the stem (this part has the strongest aroma).
- Do not choose pineapple that smells like fermentation. Even if you want a sweet-smelling pineapple, don't go for an overripe one, which smells sweet like alcohol or vinegar.
Step 2. Press the pineapple
Gently press the pineapple with your fingers. The pineapple should be a little firm, but soft enough that it will sag a little when pressed.
Step 3. Pay attention to the weight of the pineapple
A heavy pineapple means it contains a lot of water because the liquid will make the pineapple heavier. The more water content means the pineapple is sweeter and ripe.
Remember, "heavier" does not mean "bigger". Pineapple is said to be heavier when compared to other pineapples of the same size. If the larger pineapple weighs the same as the smaller one, the smaller one is more likely to be overripe
Step 4. Pull the leaves from the top of the pineapple
While many people disagree with this method, some believe that a pineapple is ripe if the leaves can be easily plucked from the top of the fruit. However, if the leaves are too easy to pull, the pineapple may be rotting.
Method 2 of 3: Using Views
Step 1. Be aware of the 2 main elements to determine a ripe pineapple:
freshness and decay. What you are looking for are fresh pineapples, not rotten ones. The stalk is the part of the pineapple that supplies sugar to the fruit. This is where the pineapple will start to change color.
Step 2. Check the color
Pineapple usually has a golden yellow color. However, green pineapple is not necessarily still raw.
- Keep in mind that some types of pineapple are considered ripe even if some are still green. However, do not choose a pineapple that is all green or brown in color. You should also focus more on the healthy appearance of the pineapple.
- As a general rule, at the base of the fruit should be yellow. A tinge of yellow to the top of the pineapple usually indicates that the fruit is sweeter.
Step 3. Pay attention to the color of the leaves
Since the fruit can be golden yellow or green, you may want to pay attention to the color of the leaves for a better assessment. Choose pineapples with green and healthy leaves.
Step 4. Notice the shape of the pineapple
The pineapple should be really puffy with rounded edges and puffy eyes. The eye of the pineapple is the center of the thorn that is inside the rough circle formed by the geometric pattern on the pineapple. Make sure the eyes are fully filled and relatively flat.
Don't choose pineapples that are wrinkled, reddish-brown, cracked or oozing, moldy, or have wilted, brown leaves. All this indicates that the fruit has rotted
Step 5. Choose a pineapple that is grown near where you live
For example, if you live in Malang (East Java), choose honey pineapple from Blitar or Kediri. The pineapple is most likely fresh because the location is not too far from where you bought it.
Method 3 of 3: Keeping Pineapple Fresh
Step 1. Use a whole pineapple stored at room temperature for a few days
As long as it's not chopped, the pineapple will stay fresh for several days. However, don't cut it at room temperature, as the pineapple can go bad a few hours later.
Step 2. Put the pineapple in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer
Pineapple stored in the refrigerator intact can last for about 2 weeks. Once cut or peeled, pineapples will only last for about 1 week when stored in the refrigerator.
Step 3. Cut the pineapple, then put it in the refrigerator for up to a maximum of 1 week
Cut the pineapple properly, namely by slicing the crown and base. Stand the pineapple on a cutting board, then carefully slice the skin from top to bottom. Make the cut deep enough so that all the prickly skin is gone.
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At this point, the pineapple still has "eyes". You can gouge them out one at a time, but it will be easier if you slice the sides of the pineapple with a V-like wedge that will form a diagonal trench. The "eyes" of the pineapple do run along the sides and form a diagonal line.
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Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise. After that, cut it in half again so that you will get four triangular slices of pineapple.
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Cut the hard center of the pineapple and discard. Next, divide the four pineapple slices into several more pieces.
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Step 4. Store pineapple slices in the freezer for up to 6 months
Make large slices so that the taste of the pineapple doesn't change too much. Freezing can indeed make the pineapple lose its taste. Place the pineapple slices in a plastic container or freezer-safe plastic bag (ziploc) before storing them.
If you want to use it, remove the pineapple from the freezer. After that, thaw the frozen pineapple in the refrigerator or another place at room temperature before you use it
Tips
- Always tightly wrap the peeled pineapple before you put it in the refrigerator. This is to prevent the smell of the refrigerator from being absorbed.
- Buy ripe pineapple the same day you want to use it. This way, the pineapple will stay fresh and not rot.
