How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

No, I don't need the punchline to a joke. hahahah.
I have a fresh pineapple and I want to tear it open and eat the whole thing, only I don't know if it's ripe Ahh, the joys of pregnancy

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

I got this off a website:

Look at the pineapple. It should be plump and fresh, and the leaves should be green. It should not have any visible bruises. (Image 1)

2. Smell the pineapple. It should have a sweet, pineapple smell at the stem end of the fruit. (Image 2)

3. Touch the pineapple. The shell should give slightly when you push on it, but there should be no large, soft spots that cave in under your touch. (Image 3)

4. To cut pineapple into chunks, twist off the crown, then slice the pineapple lengthwise into quarters. Cut away the shell from each quarter, then remove the core strip from the top. Slice into chunks.



Unlike some fruits, pineapples do not get sweeter or riper after picking. Be sure that you buy a pineapple that is already ripe.

The shell color of a pineapple does not necessarily indicate its ripeness.

The ease with which you can remove a leaf from the crown does not indicate how ripe a pineapple is.

A ripe, whole pineapple will stay fresh if stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to four days. Cut pineapple stays fresh in the fridge for a few days.

If you want to use the pineapple shell as a decorative "bowl," do not remove the crown and only cut the pineapple in half. Cut the fruit away from the half-shell carefully in order to leave it intact.

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

Thanks!! So basically, I should just cut it now because it's not going to ripen even if it's not ripe now. Excellent! Haha

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

Ok, definitely NOT ripe. It's still somewhat sweet, but VERY acidic. I think this one will have to go in the garbage

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

ooh that stinks.
Sorry rachel

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

Ehh, it's ok because the very very bottom had two little sweet chunks that I ate, so it satisfied my craving. And I guess my task avoidance of eating the pineapple bit me in the butt, so now I have to actually figure out dinner.

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

I was always told that when it is easy to pull the leaves out is when it was ripe enough

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

when you bring the pineapple home from the store you should stand it upside down on its crown that way the juices and sweetness (you said the bottom of your pineapple was sweet) will run to the top of the pineapple as well. My grandfather owned a fruit store way back in the day so i know all these little tricks.

Re: How do I tell if a pineapple is ripe?

The grocer told me to pull a stem from the center of the stems. If it comes out easily it is ripe. If it is hard to pull out and you need to tug it, it is upripe ... it hasn't failed me yet. I but pineapple about every 2 weeks.