How to Judge a Ripe Pineapple

Color is only one indicator of pineapple ripeness.

Fresh pineapples have superior flavor compared to canned or even whole fruits that have been sitting in the grocery store too long. Selecting a fully ripe and fresh pineapple ensures good quality, excellent flavor and an appetizing juiciness. Inspect the fruits carefully before you purchase. A high quality pineapple exhibits several telltale signs that indicate it is at the peak of freshness and ready to eat. Use the fruit within two or three days so it doesn't lose its quality and flavor after you get it home.

Instructions

1. Examine the pineapple leaves. Fresh pineapple has green, health looking leaves. Avoid those that look bruised, badly damaged or wilted.

2. Press gently on the outside of the pineapple. Check for soft spots. A fresh pineapple feels firm and has no soft spots. Press in several places to ensure the entire fruit is firm.

3. Check the shell color, especially near the bottom of the fruit. A fully yellow pineapple is usually ripe, but fruits with some green remaining may also be ripe. Avoid pineapples that are green all over, as these usually won't develop their full flavor.

4. Sniff the pineapple crown, where the foliage emerges from the top of the fruit. A fresh, ripe pineapple has a sweet smell.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid any pineapples with dark-colored soft spots. These indicate mold and a rotten fruit.

References

• University of Hawaii Extension: Selecting a Fresh Pineapple