It is a natural human instinct to refrigerate every edible item. Storing kiwi in the fridge is a wise choice to temporarily preserve and increase the life span of the fruit by a few days. Does kiwi need to be refrigerated? The answer to this question is that it depends on the kiwi.
Depending on how you want to use the fruit, there are plenty of ways you can store it. You can put Kiwi as a whole or slice the fruit and seal it in an airtight container. If you’re still unsure about the best storage technique, this article is the perfect guide, explaining all about the kiwi fruit.
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What Is a Kiwi?
It is a sweet fruit that can be enjoyed as an individual, in a fruit salad, a smoothie, or in any way you can imagine. As beautiful the fruit is on the inside, it is unappealing on the outside.
The exterior is brown skin with tiny hairs on it. It is more or less in the shape of an egg.
The interior is a stunning emerald green color or a yellow goldish color with black edible seeds. It is soft to bite, with the perfect level of sweetness, and has a lot of nutritional value.
How to Choose Kiwi?
The tastiest fruit is a fresh one, and kiwi is no exception. It is easy to spot a ripe kiwi. You need to check the price, how firm the fruit is, the smell, the texture, and any discoloration on the skin.
Price is not a significant factor but something you should consider when buying kiwi fruit. If sold at a discount or less than the market price, it means that the fruit is overripe and would probably not last long, even if you refrigerate it.
Should Kiwis be soft, firm, or squishy?
One of the obvious ways to check at what stage the fruit is to determine its firmness. Hold a Kiwi in your hand and gently squeeze it:
- If it does not press and remains solid, it isn’t ripe
- If it feels a bit soft, it is ripe
- If it feels mushy, it is overripe
How Long Does Kiwi Last?
To be very technical about it, the life of the Kiwi fruit depends on the three stages of the fruit, unripe, ripe, and overripe, and the storing process.
It usually takes about a few days for the Kiwi fruit to be ripe and can last about 5 days at room temperature and 7-10 days in the fridge. So, the life span of a kiwi fruit is approximately 7-10 days on the kitchen counter and 10-20 days in the refrigerator. If you freeze it, the fruit can last for a couple of months.
Fruits don’t have a production or an expiry date. So, this is an approximate calculation of how long the fruit can last.
Do Kiwis Have a Smell?
A Kiwi fruit that is ripe will give out a beautiful smell. An overripe Kiwi will release an acidic smell, giving a sense that the fruit could be spoiled.
Is Wrinkled Kiwi Bad?
Looking at the skin, you can tell if the fruit is right to buy or not. When a person reaches a certain age, wrinkles appear on the skin, which is a sign of aging. The same goes with Kiwi. If there are wrinkles on the skin, the fruit has lost its nutritional value and taste.
Also read: Do Lunchables Need to Be Refrigerated?
Dark Spots on the Outside?
Closely examining the skin, you may notice some dark spots or bruises. Pressing it will give away a mushy feeling, an apparent sign of overripe fruit.
The Best Way to Store Kiwi
The best way to store Kiwi all depends on how you want to use it and the condition of the fruit at the time of purchase. However, here are some easy ways that you can use to reserve a Kiwi fruit.
1. How to Store Kiwi after Cutting?
A sliced Kiwi fruit would probably last a couple of days in the refrigerator, perfect if you want to use it in the next couple of days. But if you need to extend its life, there are two ways you can store it.
- Place the sliced kiwis on a plate and wrap it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap
- Seal them in an airtight container or a plastic bag
It will probably give a day or more, so you should consume it quickly before it gets spoiled.
2. How to Store Kiwi in Fridge?
Once the Kiwi fruit is ripe, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator to maximize its life. You can place the kiwis as it is or seal them in a container. Keep the Kiwis away from other fruits such as apples, mangoes, pears, etc. These fruits release a gas called ethylene which will increase the ripening process. So, an already ripe Kiwi will get spoiled much faster in the fridge if placed next to other fruits.
3. How to Store Kiwi Fruit at Home?
Unripe Kiwis can be stored at room temperature but away from direct sunlight and the kitchen stove. The room temperature should not vary by much as it will affect the ripening process of the fruit.
Once the fruit is ripe, it’s ready to eat. You can consume it straight away to enjoy the delicious taste or place them in the fridge.
Does Kiwi Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yes, you need to refrigerate Kiwi, especially if ripe, so it doesn’t get spoiled quickly. You can store a kiwi out of a fridge if you intend to eat it quickly but it’s going to be the best idea to keep it in the fridge.
Also read: Does Creme Brulee Need To Be Refrigerated?
Can you Freeze Kiwi?
Yes, you can. A frozen Kiwi fruit can last up to months. This is a great way to store it for long-term use or prevent you need to throwing it out.
Is Kiwi better cold or room temperature?
It depends on your preference: however, a room temperature Kiwi will taste much better in comparison to a refrigerated or frozen one.
How to Tell When Kiwi Is Ripe?
To summarize the ripe checking process, here are the steps you should follow.
- It should be firm to the touch but not too hard or soft
- There shouldn’t be any discoloration on the skin
- It should give away a pleasant smell, not a rotten one
If it passed those tests, then you’ll have a ripe and delicious kiwi.
Conclusion
So does kiwi need to be refrigerated? Unless you plan on eating it very quickly, it’s going to be the best idea to put it in the fridge, or even the freezer. This is especially true if it has been sliced open. Putting it in the fridge will extend its life and keep it tasting delicious.