When it comes to fruit pineapples are one of the most versatile. They can be enjoyed fresh on their own, grilled or added to a fruit salad.
When it comes to savoury options they can fit into anything from an addition to a sweet and sour sauce or, often controversially, added to the top of a pizza.
But however you plan to eat it, one thing is essential – and that is to make sure it is ripe before you buy it. Pineapples, like other fruits such as cherries and grapes, are non-climacteric which means they stop ripening once harvested.
So when you head to your local shop or market to buy one it is key to make sure the one you pick is juicy and ready to eat. Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn, Associate Food Editor at The Kitchn food blog, warns: “An underripe pineapple has a tart flavour and the flesh can be tough and woody. An overripe pineapple, on the other hand, can taste sour and almost fermented.”
But the former chef says there are four steps you can take to make sure you have the perfect fruit before wasting your hard-earned cash on something inedible. This is what she advises:
How firm is it?
Pineapples, like most fruit, soften as they become ripe – but it can be hard to spot. The expert says: “Unlike other fruits, their thick skin can make that softness hard to discern.
“So give those pineapples a good squeeze. If the fruit feels just a little bit soft, you’re good to go. This can be a bit of a Goldilocks method (too much give and it’s likely overripe; no give at all and it’s probably underripe), but somewhere in the middle is just right.”
What does it smell like?
A pineapple’s thick skin means the best spot to smell a pineapple is on the bottom of the fruit. It should smell sweet and fruity, not sour or fermented (a sign it’s overripe). The expert advises: “If you can’t smell anything at all, it may be a sign the pineapple you’re holding is underripe. Try another one.”
What colour is it?
The former chef says a pineapple at the peak of ripeness will have a golden yellow colour. She adds: “Underripe ones will look more green or even very pale yellow, while overripe ones will start to turn darker shades of yellow (and can even get into orange territory).”
The tug test
The leaves (or fronds) on the top of a pineapple are another good indicator of ripeness, says the expert. She advises: “Gently pull at a leaf near the centre of the pineapple.
“If it comes away with just a little effort, the fruit is ripe; if it’s hanging on, it’s a sign the fruit is underripe. Look for pineapples with full, green leaves — if they look dry or brown, the fruit may be overripe.”