Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney. Chef Markeicha Dulaney is a Personal Chef and Founder of Sweet Monáe Personal Chef Services in 2015 in South Florida. She has over 22 years of experience in the kitchen and provides customizable menus to meet the dietary needs, taste preferences, style, and budget of each client. She also specializes in weekly in-home chef services, all-inclusive pro-chef services, boutique catering, and pantry organizing services. She was featured in The Knot's "Table for Two" YouTube episodes and has also been featured in Real Simple Magazine article on "What routines save you the most time.” Chef Markeicha Dulaney graduated with an Associate's Degree from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute of Culinary Arts and is a longtime member of the USPCA (United States Personal Chef Association).
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With their refreshing, citrusy flavor, kiwifruit (generally shortened to kiwis) are a delicious fruit packed with nutrients. Kiwis are a great addition to salads and act as an effective meat tenderizer.[1] While some people choose kiwis that are ripe because they want to eat them right away, others choose unripe kiwis in order to ripen them at home and eat them at a later date. Whether you want ripe and ready-to-eat kiwis or unripe kiwis, know how to properly select them in order to fully enjoy the benefits that the fruit can offer.
Steps
Inspect the outer skin. Inspect the outer skin’s color and texture. A ripe kiwi’s skin is brown and fuzzy. Also, check for any bruises, dark spots, mold, or wrinkles. If the kiwi is bruised, shriveled, or has mold, then the kiwi is not good for eating and is probably overripe.[2]
Apply light pressure to the kiwi. Hold the kiwi between your thumb and four fingers. Apply light pressure with your thumb. If the kiwi slightly gives, then it is perfectly ripe; it should feel soft, but not too soft. On the other hand, if the kiwi gives too much when you apply pressure, it’s probably mushy and overripe.[3]Advertisement
Smell the kiwi. Also smell the kiwi for readiness. If the kiwi gives off a fragrant, citrus smell, then it is perfectly ripe and ready to eat. However, if the kiwi gives off a pungent, sweet smell then it is most likely overripe.
Inspect the outer skin. The skin of an unripe kiwi has a greener hue, and may not be as hairy as ripe kiwis. Check for bruises and dark spots as well. You don’t want damaged fruit that will ripen unevenly.[4]
Hold and apply pressure to the kiwi. Hold the kiwi between your thumb and four fingers. Apply pressure with your thumb. If the kiwi is firm and does not give to pressure, then it is unripe. You can then ripen your kiwis at home.[5]
Ripen your kiwis at home. Ripen your kiwis at home by placing them in a paper bag with another fruit, such as a banana.[6] The kiwis also need to be at room temperature to become ripe. Wait three to five days before checking to see if the kiwis are ripe.[7]
Community Q&A
- QuestionHow can I easily peel kiwis?
Community AnswerYou can easily peel kiwis with a vegetable peeler. You can also use a spoon with teeth on the tip. If you are finding it really hard to peel the kiwi, remember that the skin is edible, too. - QuestionDo golden kiwis have the same health benefits as regular, green kiwis?Community AnswerYes, golden kiwis have the same, or in some cases, more health benefits than green kiwi. For example, golden kiwis have more vitamin C and E, however, they have the same amount of potassium as green kiwis.
- QuestionWhat is a kiwano?
Community AnswerDespite the similarity in its name, a kiwano is not a kiwi. A kiwano is a more like a cross between a cucumber, zucchini, and a kiwi. It is also called a horned melon, jelly melon, African horned cucumber, hedged gourd, melano, and blowfish fruit.
Tips
- Kiwis are in season from November to May; it is better to buy them during this time.Thanks
- Ripe kiwis can be stored in the fridge in a bag for up to 7 days.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Markeicha Dulaney.
References
- ↑ http://www.foodreference.com/html/artkiwi.html
- ↑ http://www.kiwifruit.org/about/selecting.aspx
- ↑ http://www.kiwifruit.org/about/selecting.aspx
- ↑ http://www.friedas.com/karensblog/my-frustrating-kiwifruit-experience/
- ↑ http://www.foodreference.com/html/artkiwi.html
- ↑ http://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/4-genius-ways-to-quickly-ripen-a-kiwi/
- ↑ http://www.foodreference.com/html/artkiwi.html
About This Article
When you go to choose kiwis at the store, start by looking for kiwis that are brown and fuzzy on the outside, which is a sign that they're ripe. Then, pick up the kiwis and apply light pressure with your fingers. You want ones that give slightly when you press them but don't feel mushy or overly soft. It's also a good idea to smell the kiwis to see if they have a pleasant citrus smell, which means they're ripe. If the kiwis smell unpleasant, they may be overripe. If you want to learn how to ripen kiwis in a paper bag at home, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
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