How to store kiwifruit? Ripen unripe ones first, then store them

Kiwifruit, also known as Chinese gooseberry, fox peach, wild pear, and vine pear, is a highly vitamin-rich fruit that hits the market in August. It is deeply loved by people for being rich in vitamin C and multiple amino acids, but because it does not keep well, when buying you should buy only as much as you can eat. So how should kiwifruit be stored? How do you ripen and store the unripe ones?

1. How should kiwifruit be stored properly?

1. How to store kiwifruit?

(1) Store in a cool place: After buying kiwifruit, place them in a cool place. Put the kiwifruit in a box or plastic bag, and it is best not to seal it completely (if it is completely sealed, the next time you open it there will be a rotten, boozy smell). It is best not to put kiwifruit in a ventilated place, as this easily causes the moisture inside to be lost, making the hard ones even harder and the soft ones lose their moisture.

Tips for storing kiwifruit: refrigeration, keeping out of light, and box storage are all effective ways to extend kiwifruit's storage time. In addition, note that carefully selecting them beforehand can also extend the storage time. When storing, you should first pick out the soft ones and those with surface damage, otherwise these kiwifruit will give off ”ethylene“ and ”ripen“ the other kiwifruit, which is not good for long-term storage.

(2) Refrigerator storage: Raw kiwifruit placed in the refrigerator (around 1 to 5 degrees) can be stored for about one month; take them out a few days before you want to eat them to ripen. You can put the kiwifruit you are about to eat together with ripe bananas and apples, and once they soften they are ready to eat.

2. How to store the ripe ones?

Mainly low-temperature storage; frozen storage; sorting; and box storage away from light.

(1) Put in freshness bags: Kiwifruit packed in boxes or placed in freshness bags can be stored longer.

(2) Place in a cool spot: Boxed kiwifruit stored away from light at low temperature can be kept longer.

(3) Put in paper bags: Storing in paper bags and eating them promptly can also extend storage time.

(4) Refrigerated storage can extend storage time.

(5) Careful selection beforehand can also extend storage time.

Note: Do not take kiwifruit out and place them in a ventilated spot, as this causes moisture loss and they will become harder and harder. The correct method is to place them in a box and, after picking out the soft, edible kiwifruit, close the box lid properly. Placing them in the refrigerator can keep them for two to three months. Take them out a few days before eating, and once they soften in a sealed place they are ready to eat. In addition, promptly pick out the soft kiwifruit; even if you do not eat them, do not leave the soft and hard ones together for a long time, as this is not good for long-term storage of kiwifruit.

2. How to ripen the unripe ones?

(1) Use fruits such as apples or bananas to ripen kiwifruit

Put apples or bananas together with raw kiwifruit in a paper bag, then tie the opening shut and leave for two or three days; once they soften they are ready to eat. This method mainly uses the fact that apples or bananas give off a gas called ethylene that can ripen fruit, quickly ripening raw fruit, but they should not be left together too long, as that will make the kiwifruit rot.

(2) Use toothpicks to ripen kiwifruit

Wash the bought kiwifruit clean with water, then use a toothpick to poke a few small holes in the kiwifruit, put them in a plastic bag, tie it shut, and leave for a few days; this can also speed up ripening. Alternatively, you can use a small knife to cut a few small slits in the outside of the kiwifruit and leave them for a few days, which can also ripen kiwifruit. This is because the small wounds cause the kiwifruit to produce ethylene, and ethylene speeds up kiwifruit ripening.

(3) Raise the ambient temperature where the fruit is placed.

Kiwifruit is suited to being kept at room temperature; if placed in a high-temperature environment, it can promote faster metabolism in the fruit and speed up ripening, so unripe fruit can be ripened using this method. Especially for raw kiwifruit just bought, it is best not to put them in the refrigerator; simply leaving them at room temperature for one or two days can quickly soften them.