It is more difficult to determine if a pineapple is ripe or not than it is with other fruits. Pineapple is different from other fruits because it gets its sweetness from the starches found at the plant’s base and stops ripening immediately after harvesting. Harvesting a pineapple cuts off its access to the starches and halts the ripening process. Many find it hard to determine whether a pineapple is ripe or not. Here we'll tell you the secret.
How to Tell If a Pineapple Is Ripe
1
Smell
Smell the stem end and determine if it has a sweet scent, which is the most important way of determining if a pineapple is ripe. A pineapple without a scent is most likely unripe. You can smell other sides and places as well but the strongest scent should come from the stem end. Do not pick a pineapple with a fermented smell. The scent of a fresh pineapple should not have a vinegar or alcoholic taste.
2
Firmness
Squeeze the pineapple lightly with your fingers. The fruit should feel firm but soft enough to give slightly as your press it down.
3
Weight
A heavier pineapple has extra juice, which makes it sweeter and riper. Do not confuse heavier with larger. A ripe pineapple is very likely to be heavier than other pineapples of the same size. If a large pineapple has the same weight as a smaller one, pick the smaller one.
4
Leaves
The effectiveness of this method of how to tell if a pineapple is ripe is debatable. However, it is said that plucking a leaf on top of a ripe pineapple should be easy and without much resistance. However, the pineapple may be rotten if its leaves come off too easily.
5
Color
A ripe pineapple has a golden-yellow color but a green color does not necessarily mean the fruit is unripe. Some ripe pineapples are partially green but the fruit should not have an all brown or green color. The yellow color at the base should be easily visible and the higher it rises up the fruit, the sweeter the fruit. Alternatively, look at the color of the leaves. A ripe pineapple has healthy green leaves.
6
Skin
Pick fully developed pineapples with developed, rounded eyes. The eyes refer to the spiked centers on the circular patterns on the surface. Eyes should be relatively flat and filled out.
7
Location
Pick pineapples from the closest growing location because they are still fresh after covering a short distance from the farm to your local store or supermarket.
