Pineapple - how to choose, ripen, which pineapples are better.
Content:
Now it is difficult to imagine that the older generation had pineapple as a rare exotic fruit. This product was used to decorate the solemn festive table. Nowadays, this fruit has ceased to be a gimmick, and we are often faced with the choice of a ripe fruit. In this article, we will reveal the main secrets when buying delicious and juicy fruit.
External characteristics of a delicious pineapple
This delicious exotic fruit is native to the tropical climate of our planet. Most often, fruits are imported to Russia from the USA and Asian countries.
If you look closely at the peel of a pineapple, you will notice that it consists of many separate parts that have grown together into one fruit. After cutting the fruit, we will see a dense stem in the middle. All this suggests that at the beginning of its ripening, pineapple consisted of a large number of individual berries, which later combined.
Fresh ripe pineapples, recently harvested from the plant, have a juicy and bright taste. So how can you find a fruit no less tasty among those that have been brought to our country for a long time? Let's try to figure it out.
Does pineapple ripen at home
We cannot buy fresh pineapple, harvested from the plantation the day before, in the store. Then how to be?
We can determine the ripeness of the fruit by some characteristics.
Everyone knows about the unusual feature of ripening bananas at home. Many people specifically buy greenish fruits and enjoy the sweet taste after a few days. But is there such
feature in pineapples? Unfortunately no. The fruits of this fruit are cut as ripe as possible, since after that the pineapple will not ripen.
If you bought a fruit that is not tasty, you should not use folk tricks and try to ripen pineapple. The palatability of the fruit will not improve.
Store pineapple at room temperature is strictly prohibited. Inside, in the pulp of the fruit, the process of fermentation and spoilage of the product rapidly develops. It is necessary to put the fruit in the refrigerator, this will help preserve it for several days.
Rules for choosing a ripe fruit
Since it will not be possible to change the taste of pineapple after purchase, you should especially carefully approach the choice in the store. Pay attention to fruits:
- whose leaves look bright and fresh;
- the peel is homogeneous without tuberous protrusions;
- the surface of the fruit is uniformly yellowish.
Taking a sweet pineapple in your hands, you will feel a pleasant aroma. Fruits in which the fermentation and decay process has begun have a characteristic odor. The pineapple should be firm, without dents and barrels.
Characteristic differences of unripe pineapple:
- the surface is uneven, with obvious bumpy protrusions;
- the smell of grass comes from the fruit, not fruit;
- pineapple is very hard.
Experts convince buyers that green fruit can be juicy and tasty, but the likelihood of an unsuccessful purchase with such characteristics greatly increases.
Pineapple, in which the process of decay or fermentation has begun, emits a characteristic smell, and the lower part of the fruit becomes soft. Since exotic fruit undergoes a special chemical treatment, outward signs of product spoilage may not appear. But inside such a pineapple, the processes of destruction of the pulp have already started.
If you notice a crack or dent on the fruit, it is better not to buy such a product, most likely it is spoiled.
The sweetest part of a pineapple is the base. It is from here that the ripening of the fruit begins.One of the obvious signs of a ripe fruit is the uniform golden color of the pineapple base.
Pineapple: what says about the maturity of the fruit foliage
Some argue that if in a ripe pineapple you try to pull one leaf out of the outlet to the tops, then it will easily come off, without much effort. Alas, this method does not reveal ripe fruits. Moreover, such handling of groceries in the store can get you in trouble.
The foliage of plucked pineapples gradually dries up and therefore can easily separate from the fruit.
But what can really be understood from the pineapple leaves is the conditions and shelf life. If the color of the foliage has changed from green to brown, this indicates that the fruit has been on the counter for a very long time and most likely will not meet your expectations.
Is it worth paying attention to the splendor of the pineapple foliage? The optimal length is considered to be up to ten centimeters. You should not choose a fruit with more lush foliage, its weight will affect the total cost of the product.
Before choosing a pineapple to buy, take a look at its entire appearance. It is worth paying attention not only to the fruit and leaves, but also to the cut. If you notice mold or irregularities on it, it is better to refuse to buy this fruit.
If you use our recommendations, then you will be able to choose a sweet and juicy fruit that will decorate the table at your summer cottage!