Admittedly, when looking at a stack of pineapples at the grocery store, they tend to all look the same. As opposed to other produce where you can check for bruises or brown spots, you might not necessarily be able to tell by just looking at a pineapple whether it’s ripe or gone bad. And no one likes to go home and cut into a fruit that’s sour or mushy! So here, we’ve broken down exactly how to pick out a pineapple that’s perfectly sweet and ready to eat.
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Step 1: Smell the bottom
Pineapple should smell like, well, pineapple. Give the bottom of the fruit a quick sniff to see if it has its distinct sweet smell. If it smells fermented, skip it—it may be bad. The bottom should also be a bright color and not brown.
Step 2: Give it a squeeze
According to Whole Foods, the overall external color of the pineapple does not show its ripeness, because ripening stops once a pineapple is harvested. That means a green one could be just as ripe as a yellow one. Instead, look for a fruit with green leaves and a firm “shell.” Give your pineapple a gentle squeeze and it should feel firm to the touch, but also give a little.
Note: Pineapples don’t get sweeter with age, but they do get juicier and softer. If you’re going to cut it right away, pick one that has a little more give. If you’re going to wait a bit, pick one that’s a little more firm.
Step 3: Weigh it in your hands
Like most fruit, the heavier it is, the higher the water content and the juicier the fruit. Compare your pineapple to a few others to find one that’s heavy.
SEE ALSO: How to pick a watermelon at the grocery store that's perfectly sweet and juicy
Some say another way to check to see if you’ve found a winning pineapple is to tug at its leaves—if the leaves are able to be easily pulled out, it’s ready, and if they’re not, wait on cutting it. However, Dole says this isn’t necessarily true.
So, once you’ve picked your perfect pineapple, you can store it at room temperature. If you don’t plan on eating it for a few days, put it in the refrigerator and keep an eye on it. Once it’s cut, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about six days.
Now, looking for how to cut a pineapple? See the video above or check out this pineapple hack that “Game of Thrones” star Lena Headey swears by.
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1. Silicone food savers
Ever found yourself using half of a fruit or veggie, only to have it go old in a day? These food savers are the solution to keeping half-used fruits and veggies fresh for longer.
2. Herb Savors
Triple the life of your fresh herbs with these BPA-free containers that are designed to fit easily into the door of your fridge. They’re designed to let the herbs breathe just enough to keep them crisp and fresh.
3. Reusable food storage bags
Ditch those plastic baggies for these BPA-free, self-sealing and airtight reusable bags. They’re secure enough to store liquids, and durable enough to go through the dishwasher or even for sous vide cooking.
4. Reusable Bee’s Wrap
This organic cotton wrap is made with beeswax, tree resin and organic jojoba oil. It’s is a safe alternative to plastic wrap for food storage. Use it to wrap cheese, half fruits and veggies, crusty bread, a sandwich or even cover a bowl or pie dish.
5. These produce storage savers
These airtight containers ventilate your produce and the bottom tray of the containers keeps moisture away from your produce to reduce rot.
6. Cloth storage bags for fresh veggies
Say goodbye to wilted veggies and rotted fruits. These 100 percent organic cotton bags protect your produce from the elements and keep them fresh for longer than you thought possible. Simply dampen the bags, fill them with your produce, and store in the fridge. If the bags get dry, simply spritz them again.
7. Silicone food storage bags
Nothing sounds more appetizing than silicone food storage bags, right? Despite their no-frills name, these reusable bags are a sustainable alternative to your Ziplocs. They’re secure enough to store liquids, and practical enough that you can toss them into the dishwasher between uses
8. Beer savers
Say goodbye to flat beer. These beer savers will keep your opened beer fresh until the next time you’re ready for a (half) cold one.
9. 4-in-1 jar kit for spiralizing, juicing, grating and storing
Perfect for meal prep, with this jar kit you can spiralize, juice, and grate your fresh veggies so that when you’re ready to cook, your ingredients are ready to use.
10. Avocado hugger
If you eat your fair share of avocados, you’ve probably encountered the issue of storing half an avocado for later. This avocado hugger will keep it fresher for longer.
11. Veggie life extenders for your fridge crisper
These foam savers can be trimmed to fit any drawer size. They allow air to circulate throughout the draws to keep your produce oxygenated and riper for longer.
12. Banana saver
13. An airtight storage container set
14. Tomato saver
15. Linen bread bags
16. Silicone jar covers
17. Onion saver
18. Pie box
Protect your pies from the elements (and straying hands) by storing it in a cute and durable pie box. Not only will it keep the pie fresher for longer, but you can get it with a leather strap so you can make transporting your baked goodies even easier
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