Buzz
Naturally ripened kiwi is the most flavorful, but certain varieties can also taste just as good when ripened at home. The secret lies in selecting high-quality kiwi for the ripening process. Simply place the kiwi on your kitchen counter and wait for them to reach their juiciest and most delicious state. Here’s how to ripen kiwi:
Steps
Ripening Kiwi
Choose high-quality kiwi. Select kiwi without dark spots or scratches on the skin. Gently press the fruit and pick ones that feel firm to the touch.
- Most kiwi available in grocery stores are naturally ripened on the vine.
- If you grow kiwi and want to ripen them, check the variety to decide whether to let them ripen naturally or harvest them while still firm.
Check the seeds. If you have multiple kiwi to store, cut one in half and observe the seeds. Kiwi will not ripen if the seeds are still green or yellow. Black seeds indicate that the kiwi has enough sugar to fully ripen.
Refrigerate kiwi until you're ready to ripen them. Firm kiwi can last in the refrigerator for at least 4 months. Store kiwi separately to prevent exposure to ethylene-producing fruits, a gas that accelerates ripening.
Leave the kiwi you want to ripen at room temperature. Place the kiwi in a bowl on the kitchen counter and wait a few days. Kiwi will ripen in 3-5 days when stored at room temperature.
- Avoid placing kiwi directly under sunlight, as this can cause discoloration and spoilage.
Speed up the ripening process by exposing kiwi to ethylene gas. Place kiwi next to apples, bananas, or pears. Avoid exposing ripening kiwi to sunlight or heat sources.
- To ripen kiwi faster, place them in a paper or perforated plastic bag with apples, bananas, or pears. Store the bag at room temperature for 1-2 days.
Press your thumb gently into the fruit to check if the kiwi is ripe. Ripe kiwi will feel soft when pressed lightly. Soft and fragrant kiwi is ready to eat.
Consume ripe kiwi quickly. You should eat kiwi as soon as they are fully ripe; otherwise, they will become overripe and mushy.
Storing Ripe Kiwi
Store ripe kiwi in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Placing kiwi in a plastic bag can extend their freshness by an additional week. The bag helps reduce moisture loss and keeps the kiwi fresh longer.
Freeze whole kiwi. Simply place whole kiwi in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for several months.
Freeze sliced kiwi. Sliced kiwi is perfect for garnishing, adding to smoothies, or incorporating into other healthy dishes. If you have an abundance of kiwi, slice them and freeze the pieces.
- Slice the kiwi and sprinkle sugar on top to enhance their texture and flavor.
- Arrange the sugared kiwi slices on a baking tray and place them in the freezer.
- Transfer the frozen kiwi slices from the tray to a freezer-safe plastic bag. Store the kiwi in the freezer.
Advice
- After being harvested, kiwi must be exposed to ethylene gas to stimulate the ripening process. If growers and distributors do not initiate the ripening of kiwi, the starch in the fruit will not convert to sugar quickly enough, causing the fruit to wither.
- Kiwi is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, E, potassium, magnesium, and copper. It is high in fiber, low in calories, and free of fat and sodium.
What You Need
- Whole kiwi
- Plastic bag
- Banana, apple, or pear
- Paper bag
- Sugar
- Baking tray
- Freezer bag
