Knowing how to tell if a pineapple is ripe is not easy. Unlike with some fruit—like fresh tomatoes or bananas—the texture of a pineapple is not always a reliable ripeness indicator. So, how do you know when a pineapple is ready to eat? We asked a pineapple farmer to explain how to choose a good pineapple every time.
Smell the Bottom
Unripe pineapples lack aroma, says a pineapple farmer. On the other hand, fully ripe and sweet pineapples have a unique and easily detectable smell.
When there's a "sweet smell," the farmer adds, there's a "sweet taste." A sweet smell can also indicate that the pineapple won't be as acidic. A lot of the acidic notes will have mellowed with ripeness, allowing fruity nuances to shine.
When smelling the bottom for ripeness, look for a sweet, rich scent, similar to the bright, tropical, sugary spirit of the ripe fruit's flavor.
Check for Yellow or Green
Some varieties of pineapples appear green whether they are ripe or not. However, a mostly green pineapple can be a sign that it's underripe. In most cases, a pineapple is ripe and ready once it has turned yellowish—not a smidge, but a good portion of the fruit.
"When at least one side has yellow color...that's the best tip," says the farmer. Don't cut your pineapple until it has lost most, if not
all, of its green.
Feel Its Weight
Another way to determine the ripeness of a pineapple is to see if it feels heavy in proportion to its size. If your pineapple feels heavy when you hold it, it's probably ripe.
Squeeze the Pineapple
"For pineapple, it's not really the feel," the farmer says. "Even when it's really ripe, it's kind of hard." But don't take the squeeze test completely off the table. Ripe pineapples should feel firm but not hard. If it's rock solid, then it's not ripe.
Tug the Leaves
A single pineapple usually has between 30 and 40 spiky dark green leaves, which bear some similarities to agave and succulents. On an unripe pineapple, these tough leaves will be firmly embedded into the pineapple and difficult to remove without tugging hard. But as a pineapple ripens, the leaves change.
"If you are able to take off one of its leaves easily—boop—that's a sign that it's ripe," Vinciguerra says. Pulling a leaf until it detaches should "not be a struggle. It should come off easily," Vinciguerra adds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you ripen a pineapple more quickly?
Pineapples are considered non-climacteric fruits, meaning they don't continue to ripen once picked off the tree.1 Any other minor changes, like color or flavor decline, will happen within three to five days if left on the counter.
While you can't make a pineapple more ripe, you might be able to soften it and make it more palatable. To try this, put your pineapple in a paper bag and add an apple or a banana. Leave it on the counter at room temperature, and check the pineapple in one to two days.
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Should you put pineapples in the refrigerator?
Vinciguerra recommends keeping pineapples on a counter and out of the fridge until they start to degrade. When the fruit has turned all yellow, that's when to store a pineapple in the fridge.
Keep a whole pineapple uncovered in the crisper drawer until you're ready to eat it. For cut pineapple, place the fruit in covered food containers. Vinciguerra suggests eating refrigerated pineapple within a tight window—three to five days maximum. Frozen pineapple will keep longer—up to a year if stored properly.
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Does turning a pineapple upside down make it sweeter?
While some suggest turning a pineapple upside down for a sweeter taste, this fruit hack is not agreed upon. The theory is that since pineapples tend to be sweeter on the bottom, flipping it will help distribute the sweet juice throughout.
Others say it doesn't matter whether you store a pineapple upright, on its side, or upside down. You may have to try this for yourself and see what you think.
Look for Signs of Spoilage
You'll know if your pineapple is starting to go bad if its skin is a dull yellow. If the color is brown-gray, then it's rotten. Also, avoid pineapples that have soft spots or look opaque because these are indicators the pineapple is past its prime.
The surface might also feel slimy when overripe or rotten. (For a ripe pineapple, you want a smooth and shiny surface.) The pineapple leaves are another sign of over-ripeness: If the leaves are brown, wilting, or falling, then your pineapple is overripe.
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