How to Pick a Ripe Pineapple

A sweet and juicy pineapple is hard to beat. This versatile fruit can be sliced and eaten fresh, puréed into a refreshing cocktail, grilled with chicken wings, processed into a fruity soft serve, or baked into an upside-down cake. But when it comes time to select a perfectly ripe pineapple at the grocery store, it can feel like a bit of a guessing game. To help you choose a peak-season pineapple, we reached out to Dole.

How to choose the ripest pineapple

“When selecting a pineapple, look for fruit that appears fresh and vibrant,” says William Goldfield, director of corporate communications at Dole. “While many believe that pulling out a leaf easily indicates ripeness, that’s not a reliable measure. Instead, avoid pineapples with dry, brown leaves or fruit that appears overly aged, bruised, or has soft spots.”

The color of the pineapple’s skin is not necessarily an indicator of ripeness. Instead, you should look at the individual spikes on the skin, according to Goldfield. The flatter the mounds on the pineapple’s skin, the riper the fruit. The bottom of the pineapple should also have a slightly sweet aroma, but avoid one that is too fragrant — this is a sign that it’s past its prime and has started to ferment.   

How to store pineapple

A whole pineapple can be stored at room temperature for up to five days. Once you’ve cut into chunks or slices, store the pineapple in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze pineapple chunks for use in smoothies, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze until the pieces are hardened, about two hours. Transfer the pineapple pieces to a large ziplock bag and store in the freezer for up to six months.