Pineapples are delicious, a tropical fruit that is full of vitamin C and antioxidants. They’re great for snacking or adding to fruit salads and smoothies. But did you know that pineapples can also be ripened at home?
We have the answer if you’ve ever desired to know how to ripen pineapple.
It’s not as challenging as it sounds, and once you get the hang of it, you can have an incredibly sweet and juicy pineapple whenever you want!
Before you ripen pineapples, let’s get to know more about them!
Who doesn’t love pineapple? It’s a sweet, delicious fruit that has been around for thousands of years. Since it’s so popular in the United States, we thought we’d give you some facts about this delicious treat.
- The pineapple is a native fruit to South America and was brought over to North America by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
- The pineapple leaves are edible and can be added to salads or as a garnish on other dishes.
- Europeans first cultivated the pineapple in the 1600s.
- Pineapples were initially considered an exotic delicacy that only wealthy people could afford because they were so expensive to grow and transport.
- There are over 1,000 varieties of pineapples, but only two are commercially grown: Cayenne and Smooth Cayenne.
- Pineapples don’t ripen further once they’ve been picked from the plant. That’s why you’ll always see them wrapped in plastic bags at grocery stores!
- Pineapple plants can survive up to 20 years and produce fruit up to 12 years after planting!
Why is pineapple a healthy fruit that you must ripen and eat?
Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that has many health benefits. The most important thing to know is that pineapples taste less good when picked green. They must be ripened before they can be eaten! And with that, here are some health benefits of pineapple.
- It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C. It contains over 100% of your daily requirement!
- It’s a great source of manganese and copper, both needed for energy production, bone development, and blood sugar regulation.
- Pineapples contain bromelain, which has been shown to decrease inflammation in the body, making it great at easing joint pain and swelling due to arthritis or sports injuries.
- Pineapples are high in fiber. One cup contains 3 grams (G). This helps keep things moving through your digestive tract, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease or diabetes.
How to pick the right pineapple to ripen?
Picking the perfect pineapple is an art. You must know what to look for in a good pineapple and how to spot the ripest one in the bunch.
Here are the things you need to look for before you start learning how to ripen pineapple.
- The leaves should be green and firm, without any brown spots or dried edges. If they are yellow or brown, the pineapple has been picked too early and won’t ripen properly.
- The color of the skin should be vibrant yellow or even orange, with no green spots or brown patches. Green spots mean your pineapple wasn’t ripe enough when picked, so you’ll have to wait longer before enjoying it!
- The stem should be fresh looking and green, not dry or brown. It should also feel firm when pressed gently against the fruit itself. If it’s soft at all, then your pineapple is too old!
How to ripen pineapple?
Pineapples are one of the best fruits you can eat and one of the most difficult to ripen. But don’t worry, here’s how to ripen pineapple you have at home!
Option 1: Paper Bag and Other Fruits
- Cut the top off your pineapple and discard it. This will reveal an inner core that looks like a little ball called a “sugar baby.” You can eat this part if you want, but most people throw it away.
- Place your pineapple in a brown paper bag together with an apple or banana. The enzymes from these fruits will help break down the starches in your pineapple and make it taste sweeter. You’ll want to check on your pineapple every day and see how its coloring changes. It should start turning yellowish brown as it ripens!
- Once your pineapple turns yellowish brown and has no more green spots, remove it from its bag and let it sit at room temperature until fully ripe for about two days. This will give off more juice than leaving it in its original paper bag packaging!
Option 2: Upside Down
This is one of the straightforward ways on how ripen pineapple.
You just need to store it at room temperature upside down. You might need to put things around it, so it doesn’t stumble.
But how does ripening occurs here? Pineapple has starch stored on their base, and turning them upside down will help the starch spread on the whole body of the pineapple. This will fasten the ripening process.
Tips for ripening pineapples
Here are some tips you’ll find helpful when learning on how to ripen pineapple.
- Store pineapple on the counter, not in the fridge.
- When you open a fresh pineapple, you’ll notice that it’s covered in brownish-grey skin. That’s called “wax.” The wax holds moisture in and helps the pineapple stay fresh longer.
Removing it will make your pineapple lose moisture faster, so just leave it on! You can also use wax to keep other fruits from getting wet while storing them. Just dab a little bit on their leaves and stems before putting them in a bowl or baggie.
- Do not let your pineapple sit in the sun.
- Do not put it in a closed box.
- Do not leave it out for too long.
- Don’t wash it, especially if it’s already ripe. You’ll just wash away all the flavor!
Now, you’re ready!
Now that you’ve learned how to ripen pineapple, you’re ready to start enjoying it! Remember that picking the right one is crucial in enjoying a good pineapple. Do not forget to follow the steps and tips mentioned in this post to get the most out of your pineapple.
We hope you found this guide helpful, and we’ll see you in the kitchen!