A guide to checking the freshness of a pineapple (and how to store it)
Sweet. Juicy. Bright. What’s not to love about pineapple? But before you sink your teeth into this delicious fruit, it’s important to check whether or not it’s okay to eat. Pineapples have a relatively short shelf life, only lasting about 3 days at room temperature. Because of this, they can start to overripen and rot quickly. Chances are, if your pineapple smells or tastes sour, has an orange rind, and is soft to the touch, it’s gone bad. Keep reading to learn more tell-tale signs of spoilage, plus ways to store and keep pineapple fresh.
How do you know if a pineapple has gone bad?
According to chef Jeff Woodward, pineapple has likely gone bad if it has a sour smell, orange or brown color, squishy texture, and brown leaves. These are signs that the fruit is overripe and starting to rot. A bad pineapple might also taste unusually sour. If in doubt, throw it out so you don't risk getting sick.
Steps
Signs a Pineapple Is Bad
- Sour smell{endbold} Smell the stem end of a pineapple to test its ripeness. A good, ready-to-eat pineapple has a sweet, fresh smell, whereas a rotten pineapple will smell fermented, sour, or like vinegar.
- Similarly, if a pineapple doesn’t smell at all, it’s likely underripe.
- Orange rind and brown flesh{endbold} A ripe, ready-to-eat pineapple has a bright, golden-yellow rind and flesh. A pineapple that’s rotten has a dull, orange-colored rind and brown, sometimes spotted flesh.
- Check for white spots on the surface of the pineapple. This is a sign of mold, and any discoloration is a sign the pineapple should be thrown away.
- Soft to the touch{endbold} Gently squeeze the pineapple with your fingertips. A ripe pineapple has a firm but soft texture, whereas a rotten pineapple is very soft and soggy.[1]
- Brown or wilted leaves{endbold} More often than not, withered or brown-shaded leaves are a sign that a pineapple is bad or about to go bad. So, opt to only eat a pineapple if the leaves are green and strong.[2]
- The leaves will also be easier to pull out if the pineapple is ripe.[3]
- Bitter taste{endbold} Pineapple naturally has a sweet and tangy flavor. If you bite into a piece of pineapple and it’s pungent, bitter, or sour, it’s most likely bad.
- Leaking liquid{endbold} When a pineapple is overripe, its juices may start to come out of the bottom or side of the fruit. While this isn’t a clear sign of spoilage, it indicates that the pineapple is likely too ripe.[4]
How long do pineapples last?
- A whole ripe pineapple can last 3 days at room temperature. A whole pineapple typically stays fresh at room temperature on a kitchen counter or table for at least 3 days.[5] Even so, it’s best to continue checking for freshness to ensure your pineapple is good to eat.
- Signs of a fresh, ripe pineapple include a sweet smell, soft but firm texture, heavy weight, golden-yellow color, perky green leaves, and flat spikes.
- A cut pineapple can last up to 4 days in the fridge or a year in the freezer. The best way to preserve your pineapple is to slice or chop it up and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. When stored in an airtight container, pineapple cuts can last 3 to 4 days in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer.
How to Properly Store Pineapple
- Store a whole pineapple at room temperature. The best way to keep a whole pineapple fresh is to store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep the fruit in a cool, dry place for ideal freshness.[6]
- You can also store a whole pineapple in the fridge for up to 5 days; however, be sure it’s near the bottom of the fridge to avoid freezing.
- Avoid placing a whole, uncut pineapple in the freezer, as it won’t thaw properly and cause too much moisture in the fruit, speeding up the rotting process.
- Store cut pineapple in the fridge or freezer. To keep a pineapple fresh for the longest time, chop it up and place it in the fridge or freezer. Put cut pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze it for 6 to 12 months.
- For optimal freezing, place the pineapple chunks or slices on a baking tray lined with parchment in the freezer. Once frozen solid, move the pineapple into an airtight bag or container to keep in the freezer.[7]
How to Tell If a Pineapple Is Ripe
- A ripe pineapple has a sweet smell, golden color, and semi-firm texture. How do you know when a pineapple is ready to eat? Well, there are a few tell-tale signs of ripeness to look out for:
- Sweet smell. The bottom of a ready-to-eat pineapple has a sweet, fragrant smell.
- Golden-yellow color. The outside of a perfectly ripe pineapple has a yellow tone.
- Semi-firm texture. A ripe pineapple has a squeezable texture—not too soft, but not too firm.
- Perky green leaves. A ready-to-eat pineapple has green leaves that don’t droop.
- Heavy weight. A juicy, ripe pineapple usually feels heavy and more dense.
Is it okay to eat overripe pineapple?
- It’s not ideal to eat overripe pineapple. Pineapple can go from overripe to rotten very quickly. While an overripe pineapple can be safe to eat, parts of it may be starting to rot, which could put you at risk of consuming bacteria and getting sick. Eating overripe pineapple may cause stomach aches, nausea, and/or vomiting.[8]
- Overall, while it may be okay to eat overripe pineapple, it isn’t ideal and should be avoided.
- Staphylococcus is a common bacteria found on rotting pineapple that can cause food poisoning.[9]
What happens if you eat bad pineapple?
- You may experience stomach pain and nausea if you eat bad pineapple. Taking a bite of a bad pineapple isn’t the end of the world, but if you consume too much of a bad fruit, you may experience some uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea. In rare cases, eating a bad pineapple can lead to food poisoning, which includes the same but more severe symptoms.[10]
- If you consume a bad pineapple and experience severe or consistent symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
References
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/how-to-tell-if-a-pineapple-is-ripe
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/pineapple-glossary
- ↑ [v162498_b01]. 17 January 2024.
- ↑ https://mykitchenserenity.com/how-to-ripen-pineapple/
- ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/pineapple-glossary
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-and-store-pineapple-article
- ↑ https://www.itisakeeper.com/116637/how-to-store-pineapple/
- ↑ https://www.greenmatters.com/p/rotten-pineapple-poisonous
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/staphylococcalinfections.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/signs-symptoms/index.html
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