HK’s Tuesday Tip: How to Choose a Fresh Pineapple

Choosing a tasty, fresh pineapple can be a challenge. Unlike many fruits that become sweeter and riper over time, pineapples do not improve with age. They’re picked at the peak of ripeness, and once they’re harvested, the quality begins to decline. To select the perfect pineapple, keep the following tips in mind while you’re browsing the fruit at your local supermarket or green grocer.

• Follow your nose. A well-ripened fruit gives off a sweet, fresh pineapple scent, particularly at the base. Avoid pineapples that smell vinegary or sour.
• Look for golden-yellow skin, especially on the eyes near the stem-end of the fruit. The skin should be firm and free of bruises, soft spots and cracks.
• The pineapple should feel heavy for its size and have deep green leaves with a fresh appearance.

[Photo by giniger, used under Creative Commons license]

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