Should Pineapple Be Refrigerated?
If you have some pineapple that you are planning to use up in a few days, it may be a good idea to store it in the refrigerator. This will help prolong its freshness and prevent it from spoiling quickly.
A ripe pineapple should be golden and have bright green fronds. If it does not have a bright green shell, this is an indication that it is not ripe and should be discarded.
You will be able to tell whether a pineapple is ripe by feeling it. It should be heavy for its size and feel soft but not mushy when you press it.
The odor and sound of the fruit are also helpful indicators of its ripeness. The smell should be sweet, and the sound should be dull and solid, not hollow. If the smell is not pleasant, or if it smells fermented, you should discard it immediately.
Before storing your pineapple, it is best to wash it thoroughly to remove any contaminates. This includes any dirt, mud, or other debris that might be on the skin. You can also use a produce brush to scrub off any excess moisture.
Once your pineapple is clean, you can store it in the fridge. This will ensure that it stays fresh for as long as you plan to eat it, which is typically about six to seven days.
Alternatively, you can freeze it in an airtight container. This will help preserve it for longer periods of time, but you will have to defrost it before using it. This process can take a while depending on how big your chunks of pineapple are, so you should consider this option only if you are planning to eat it within a few days.
Another way to keep your pineapple fresher is to use a reusable food protection container such as a GladWare(r) product. These resealable food containers are made of a plastic that is specially designed to keep your food fresh. You can find them at most grocery stores.
When you are ready to eat your pineapple, it should be at room temperature. This will allow it to ripen and become delicious again.
After a few days, it will start to turn brown in color. This psychologically helps us cynics believe that our pineapple has been spoiled, but it is also an indicator of a pineapple that is too old for its own good.
A ripe pineapple should have a sweet, fragrant smell and be soft and plump on the outside with firm skin. If the pineapple does not have a smell, or it is hard and has a waxy appearance on the outside, this is an indicator that it is not ripe and should probably be discarded.
The color of the pineapple is not a strong indicator of its ripeness, but it will likely have a light yellowish tint to it. If the color is too dark, this is an indicator that it is not fresh and should be discarded.
