Plus, how to freeze it.

Kiwi, or kiwifruit, is a tropical fruit that boasts a fuzzy, brown skin and sweet-tart flesh inside that shines in fruit salads, smoothies, and more. While kiwi is typically in season from October through May, you can make the most of your kiwi stash if you know how to properly store and preserve the fruit. When shopping for kiwi, first decide if you want fruit that is ripe and can be used as soon as you get home, or if you prefer less ripe kiwi that you can store on the counter for a few days until you’re ready to eat it or cook with it.

If you’re looking for ripe kiwi, select one that is brown and plump without any major bruises or blemishes, and has a sweet smell. Ripe kiwis should also give slightly (although not too much) when you press gently on them with your fingers. For a kiwi that isn’t quite ripe yet, pick one that doesn’t smell as sweet and has a more firm exterior. These unripe kiwis will ripen over time.

Now that you know what to look for when buying kiwi, keep reading to find out how to store kiwi to best suit your needs.

Related: The 12 Healthiest Fruits To Eat, According to the Pros

How to Store Whole Kiwi

There are a few ways to store a whole kiwi, and the method you choose depends on the ripeness of the fruit you picked up from the supermarket or had delivered to your front door. If you’ve got an unripe kiwi, go ahead and store it on your counter for a few days until it ripens. Just keep the fruit at room temperature out of direct sunlight, which can speed up the ripening process and lead to spoilage, and store it away from fruits that emit ethylene gas, such as apples, avocados, and tomatoes. The ethylene from those foods can also cause the kiwi to ripen more quickly and contribute to early spoilage. 

Depending on its level of ripeness, kiwi can last on the counter for about five to seven days. To prevent the fruit from getting too ripe to enjoy, check it daily to see if it’s ready to eat.

If you’ve got a whole kiwi that’s ripe, but you’re not ready to dig in just yet, go ahead and store the kiwi in the refrigerator. This will slow down the ripening process and buy you an extra few days to enjoy the sweet treat. But again, it’s important to be aware of those ethylene-producing foods. If your go-to place to refrigerate produce is in the crisper drawer, make sure the kiwi is kept away from apples, mangoes, tomatoes, and the like. Stored this way, kiwi will stay fresh for approximately five to 10 days.

Related: How to Pit Cherries in 4 Easy Steps

How to Store Kiwi Slices

If you’ve sliced up some kiwi for a smoothie or to top a yogurt parfait and still have some slices leftover, there’s no need to throw them out. Instead, you can take those leftover slices and place them in an airtight food storage container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. While kiwi slices don’t last as long as the whole, unsliced fruit, when stored properly the slices should stay fresh for about two days.

Can You Freeze Kiwi?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze kiwi! In fact, freezing is the best way to store the fruit long-term. Here’s the best way to do it:

1. Peel and cut the kiwi into slices of roughly the same size.

2. Lay out the kiwi on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

3. Freeze the kiwi for 2-3 hours, or until frozen solid, then transfer it to an airtight food storage container.

4. Return the kiwi-filled container to the freezer, where it’ll be at its tastiest for about three months.
   

Related: 8 High Protein Fruits, and How to Incorporate Them Into Your Diet

Just note that kiwi’s texture changes a bit once it has been frozen, so it’s best to use those slices in smoothies (simply throw ’em straight into the blender!) instead of a parfait or fruit salad.

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