What to do with a hole lotta kiwis ? Well, store them of course ! At least until you figure out just how many kiwis are just too much. Just kidding, we seriously doubt anyone will manage to ever get an overabundance of kiwis.
These little guys aren’t always on the shelves. Not only that, but when they are they come at a premium price. In that case it makes sense to grab what you can get and hold onto it for a few days, maybe weeks.
This is why we’ll explain just how to store kiwis to get maximum shelf life, and we’ll cover what to do with those hard, underripe kiwis.
How to store kiwi
Kiwis are bests stored at very cold temperatures, around 2-5 C or 35-41 F. They will last for a couple of weeks this way, whether they’re ripe or not.
If you’re planning on eating kiwis within the next 2-3 days you can leave them out on the counter, or in a fruit bowl. There are more ways to store kiwis, such as freezing them for later use, and well cover that as well.
You’ll know your kiwi is ripe if it’s like an avocado. It’s firm but yielding if you press it a little. It shouldn’t be too soft.
Kiwi on the counter
If you’re planning on eating the kiwi very soon (like tomorrow or the day after), and they’re perfectly ripe then you can keep them on the counter. But only do this for 2-3 days. Any more and they start to spoil.
This can work with just a few kiwis, and especially if you’ve got other fruits that don’t spoil quickly like oranges, mandarins, clementines, or apples.
If you’re storing kiwis with bananas and avocado, they will ripen each other at an alarming rate. You won’t really have time to eat them all.
Read also: Best Kiwi Substitutes
Kiwi in the fridge
If you need to store kiwi for a couple of weeks, you can keep them in the fridge. We recommend using a container that has a slight bit of airflow, otherwise condensation will form and the kiwi will spoil quickly.
Store in the veggie crisper if you have one. Keep in mind that you should let kiwis ripen on the counter before placing them in the fridge. These low temperatures halt the kiwi’s breakdown process, but we can’t vouch for it ripening after you take it out. Best to ripen it before the fridge.
Kiwi in the freezer
You can also freeze your kiwis. If by some miracle you’ve got an amazingly large batch of kiwis (maybe on sale ?) and want to save some for later, freezing is an option. It can keep up to 12 months, but we really recommend using it sooner.
But ! They will lose all shape and texture, so you can’t really rely on them to hold up as well after thawing. We recommend peeling and slicing the kiwi into slices or cubes before freezing. This will make your life much easier when you take them out and pop them into a food processor.
And yes, you can freeze a whole (peeled!!!) kiwi but it’s probably going into the blender anyway, so why not make your life easier ?
What to do with cut kiwi
Alright, what do you do if you’ve made a fruit plate and have some leftover kiwi ? Well, there are a few things you can do.
Put plastic wrap over it, store in the fridge for 24 hours tops. The point is that there shouldn’t be any direct contact with the air, otherwise it will start to spoil.
Freeze it for later. It might go great in a smoothie.
Can it. If you’ve got a lot of kiwi slices or cubes, make yourself some canned kiwi. You need to whip up some sugar syrup first, but it’s real easy, just water and sugar boiled together for a few minutes. Get a clean jar, make sure it’s warm.
Put the kiwi slices in, pour the hot syrup over the kiwi, and leave an inch at the top. Just make sure the kiwi is covered completely. Put a lid on, let cool, then store in a cold place for 12 months.
Make kiwi jam. If you think you’d like it, give it a try. You need several pounds of kiwi though, so this won’t work with just two leftover kiwis. You need equal parts kiwi and sugar, mash and boil them together until they thicken.
A dash of lemon or lime juice will help a lot. Add pectin if you think it needs help thickening. Store in sterilized jars, and try not to boil it too long or you’ll lose the green hue.
How to pick the best kiwi
Okay, now you know how to store kiwi. Of course, you’re on the lookout for the best kiwi you can possibly find. While we can help you pick out a great kiwi, remember that often crops suffer from inclement weather or disease, and this is reflected in the final flavor. So this is what you have to do to get the best kiwi from that crate.
Check the texture
Make sure your kiwis aren’t too soft. A soft kiwi is an overripe one, you’re either going to have to eat it as soon as you get home or it’s already spoiled.
The perfect kiwi is like the perfect avocado. It’s supposed to give a little if you press it with your thumb, a little more than a ripe tomato.
Make sure there are no weird spots or cuts
Any weird pots or cuts on a kiwi are a bad sign. If it’s completely hairless and has a darker spot then it might be best to put it down.
If you see cuts, put them back. A kiwi’s skin is very thin, so any cuts are directly into the flesh and the kiwi won’t be any good.
They shouldn’t smell
A fresh kiwi has no smell, unlike a strawberry or any citrus fruit. If the kiwi smells, put it back down.
It’s okay to pick underripe kiwis
Kiwis are often picked underripe. This way they can be transported without loss due to spoiling. This also means that they’re often sold while still underripe. That’s okay, you can always ripe the kiwi at home.
In fact, it might be better to do this at home, rather than wait for them to ripe in the store. This is because lots of people touch those crates and move the kiwis around and they ultimately end up with bruises and spoiling.
In your home, on a counter, the kiwis won’t be disturbed and can ripen without bruises or cuts.
How to ripen kiwis
You can get kiwis to ripen by placing them in a paper bag, and leaving it slightly open. Keep the kiwis like this for about 3 days, being sure to check on them each day.
It may take a little longer, or maybe less than 3 days. It depends on how far from ripe the kiwis were in the first place.
Read also:Why Are Kiwis Fuzzy ?
How to tell when kiwi has gone bad
What if you’ve left your kiwis to ripen for too long ? Or bought one that’s just weird and you’re not sure ? There are a few ways to tell when kiwi isn’t good. Some of these signs are obvious before even touching the kiwi, so there’s less risk of buying a spoiled one.
Check the kiwi’s texture
A kiwi’s texture will tell you everything. Never will a firm, tough kiwi be a sweet one. Similarly, a very soft, mushy kiwi will never taste good. Unless it’s on the verge of spoiling, in which case you’ll notice a weird taste too.
A ripe kiwi tastes sweet and may sting the back of your tongue. An overripe one will just be sweet with a rotting note, and definitely mushy.
Pay attention to the smell
A kiwi that’s already spoiled will smell a bit sour. This is either due to the mold growing on a wet spot, or the combined smell of several spoiled kiwis. In any case, if the kiwi smells throw it out.
Look for dark, wet spots
A dark and wet spot is associated with a smelly kiwi. Even if the kiwi doesn’t smell yet, a wet spot means the kiwi is spoiled in that area and it will soon start developing mold.
Kiwi is such a delicate and delicious fruit that’s a shame when it goes to waste. This is why whenever you get the chance to buy the perfect kiwis, splurge on them and store some for later.
