Kiwis are great when left to ripen on the tree, but some varieties are just as good when ripening at home. The trick is to choose quality fruit to start with. At this point you can put them on the kitchen counter and wait for them to become rich, juicy and taste great. Read on to make them mature the right way.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Ripening the Kiwis
Step 1. Choose fruit without imperfections
Look for any that don't have black spots or cracks in the skin. Feel them and choose the ones that are firm to the touch.
- Most of the varieties you can find in the grocery store ripen perfectly even after harvest.
- If you grow them yourself and want to know how to ripen them, check which variety you have to find out if it is appropriate to let them ripen on the plant or harvest them when they are still unripe.
Step 2. Check the seeds
If you have a lot of fruit on hand, cut one and check the seeds. A kiwi will not ripen if the seeds are still yellow or green, they must be black. A black-seeded kiwi has enough sugar to ripen properly.
Step 3. Place the fruit in the fridge until you are ready to ripen
Unripe kiwis last in the fridge for months. Avoid coming into contact with other fruit that releases ethylene, the gas that triggers the ripening process.
Step 4. Leave them at room temperature
Put them in a bowl on the kitchen counter and wait a few days. The fruits will ripen in 3-5 days.
Do not expose them to direct sunlight or they will turn dark or rot too quickly
Step 5. Speed up the process by putting the kiwifruit in contact with ethylene
Arrange them next to a banana, apple, or pear that produces ethylene as they ripen. Remember to protect kiwifruit from the sun and heat sources.
To ripen kiwis even faster, put them in a paper or plastic bag, as long as it is ventilated, with apple, pear or banana. Store the bag at room temperature for 1-2 days
Step 6. Check the degree of ripeness by lightly squeezing the fruit with your thumb
Kiwi is ripe when it gives in to pressure, has an intense aroma and is pulpy.
Step 7. Eat them quickly when ripe
Be sure to eat them when they are at their peak of ripeness, otherwise they will rot.
Part 2 of 2: Storing Ripe Kiwis
Step 1. Keep ripe fruit in the fridge for up to 7 days
You can extend the storage times for another week if you put them in a plastic bag before putting them in the fridge. The bag allows you to limit dehydration and prolong its freshness.
Step 2. Freeze them whole
Simply put them in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer for several months.
Step 3. Freeze them in slices
Kiwifruit slices are great for garnishing and garnishing smoothies and other healthy snacks. If you have extra kiwis, you can cut them and freeze each slice.
- Slice the fruits and sprinkle them with sugar to keep their flavor and firm texture.
- Place the sugary slices on a baking sheet and freeze them like this.
- Once hardened, transfer them to freezer bags and place them in the freezer.
Advice
- Kiwis need to be exposed to ethylene gases after harvest to trigger the ripening process that consumers will then complete once the fruit is brought home. If growers and transporters don't start ripening kiwifruit, the starches don't convert quickly enough to sugar and the fruit shrivels.
- Kiwis are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and E, potassium, magnesium and copper. They are low in calories and high in fiber, with no trace of sodium or fat.
