I’m sure you’ve seen people strolling the produce aisle, thumping, sniffing, squishing their produce all in an attempt to pick the perfect fruit. Some of that nonsense is in vain, but some of it will help you on your way to the sweetest, juiciest pineapple you’ve ever tasted!
Pretty Matters: Select a pineapple that is plump and pretty. The leaves in the crown should be fresh and green, and the body of the pineapple firm.
Color Clues: Normally color is a good indicator of ripeness. Not so when it comes to pineapples. The color of the pineapple’s outer shell is not necessarily a sign of ripeness: a pineapple’s flesh can be ripe, sweet, and ready to eat when the shell is still quite green. One thing I do look for is a pineapple that has a lighter color around the base. Other than that, ignore the color of the pineapple!
Smelly is Best: The sniff test works great for pineapples! Pick up the fruit and sniff it at the bottom. A good pineapple should have a distinctively sweet smell. If you can’t smell anything, it’s probably a dud. This is the best indicator I use.
And there you have my fail-proof method to choosing the most delicious pineapple EVER!
Now that you’ve picked the perfect pineapple, here are some yummy recipes to use it in:
Baked Pineapple – I usually serve this with our Easter ham, but it would be a shame to only have it once a year. It makes a super tasty after dinner treat, too. {Pin for Later}
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken – I love the pineapple/teriyaki combo. I also love that I can throw it in the oven and dinner is a done deal. {Pin for Later}
Dehydrated Canned Pineapple – These are sweet and delicious. There is basically no prep, which makes these the perfect set it and forget it snack. {Pin for Later}
Pineapple-Orange-Banana Smoothie – These taste like the promise of summer in a cup. {Pin for Later}
Fresh Pineapple Salsa – If you like sweet salsas, this one is the bomb!! {Pin for later}
Laura says
Best way to know when a pineapple is ready to eat is to tug on one of the central leaves. When it pops out, it’s ready! So easy and works great! The one I got Saturday at Freddie’s on the 99 cent sale was not ready then but it is now. Thanks for some recipe ideas!
Trish says
I sniff my pineapples before I buy them, but I always feel like a weirdo! especially if I sniff and put them back! but it a good way to tell!
Cindy says
It IS a good way to tell, and, since pineapples ripen from the bottom, I wait until it smells nice at the TOP. That means it’s perfectly ripe & ready to cut. =)
Donna Smith says
Mavis,
Have you ever tried growing the top of the pineapple?
Mavis says
I haven’t, but I’ve heard of it. Off to Google it now….
donna Smith says
My mom has successfully done it and even had a small pineapple develop after several years.
Angie V. says
A sure fire way to get a super sweet juicy pineapple is to pull off the top, turn it upside-down, place a little pinch of salt in the stub where the pineapple was picked from and place a balled up wet paper towel on top of that stub. Keep the paper towel wet for a day or 2, the longer you keep the wet towel on there the juicier the pineapple will be, just dont go longer then 4-5 days. Since the bottom of the pineapple is where the fruit was picked from it is where the fruit received all its nutrients and water from when it was growing, doing this trick mimics that process and gives you a guaranteed deliciously ripe pineapple.