Do n’t just seize any Ananas comosus in the quite a little at the entrepot .

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These spiky tropical fruits got their name from the English due to resemble a pine conoid . While they ’re useable yr - circular , peak seasonpineapplesare uncommitted March through July . If you get hold yourself draw to the pile of tropical beauties at the grocery store , you do n’t need to weave up disappointed to come home and swerve into an unripe , bitter ananas . Here are our best tips to determine the juiciest , most delicious fruit in the crew .

Pineapple sliced into half and quarters on a wooden board

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Shelli McConnell , executive intellectual nourishment editor in chief , Dotdash Meredith Premium Publishing

How to Pick a Pineapple

In face you did n’t know , you ca n’t actuallyripen a pineappleonce it ’s picked . That ’s right , choose a pineapple at it ’s peak is essential . Here are your best bets for ensuring the pineapple is actually advanced and quick to eat before you corrupt it .

Smell It

Take a whiff of the bottom . The pineapple should have a rich , sweet , and fruity fragrance . " Usually how much pineapple plant you smell , the more ripe it is , " McConnell says . " The ace that are n’t ripe do n’t sense like pineapple at all . " If the odour is whelm or emit a fermented smell , it ’s probably too far depart to eat up . essentially , if it smells good , it will taste unspoilt .

Note the Color

pineapple plant that are more yellow overall than green are usually an index number of a ripe fruit . If the pineapple is very dark jaundiced or on the verge of look orange tree , it ’s probably overripe . Also , the parting should be crisp and greenish rather than dark-brown or yellowish .

Observe Size and Weight

An average size pineapple weighs between 2 and 5 pounds . If it palpate heavy for its sizing ( similar to how you’dcheck a watermelon ) , it ’s a good pineapple . If it sense lightheaded or hollow , it ’s not good .

Touch It

You ’ll want to pick a pineapple plant that is firm , but not too firm . It should be slightly soft to the touch when put aristocratic air pressure on the fruit . invalidate pelt that has many piano spots or is mushy to relate .

Tug on a Leaf

A go - to method that always works for McConnell — pulling on the leaves . " If you’re able to well get out out a pineapple leaf from the top it ’s quick , " she says .

What to Do with an Underripe Pineapple

So you bribe a pineapple and it ’s not advanced after all . While it wo n’t get any sweeter , you may store it at elbow room temperature for a couple day to facilitate reduce some of the acidulousness of an underripe pineapple . If the underripe ananas is not pleasant to eat once cut , utilize by freezing chunks and total tosmoothiesor toss them in asavory stir - tyke recipe .

Where to Store Pineapples

Your uncut , ripe pineapple plant will remain sweet for up to 3 day baby-sit on the countertop . To extend the life history , refrigerated it for up a couple more days . Once you ’ve swerve the pineapple , make indisputable to store it in an airtight container in the electric refrigerator for up to 3 days .