Signs Your Pineapple Has Gone Bad
Pineapples are not the easiest fruit to cut into unless you use this handy TikTok hack. However, the juicy, sweet yet tart, and golden fruit inside is certainly worth the effort. Today, pineapples are affordable and widely enjoyed, but there was once a time when the tropical treat was a rare delicacy only the rich could afford.
While the spiky tropical fruit might not have the same exorbitant price tag it had centuries ago, no one likes cutting into one, only to find that it's rotten and needs to be chucked. But the good news is that there are a few signs that will let you know when a pineapple has gone bad.
First, think of how long it has been since you got your pineapple from the grocery store because they tend to have a short shelf life. The fruit lasts two to three days maximum at room temperature. You can keep it fresh for longer in the fridge, but only about four to five days (via eHow). So there's a possibility that your pineapple has spoiled if you've had it for longer than its typical expiration date. How quickly a pineapple spoils also depends on where you store it.
What a bad pineapple looks like
Several visual cues indicate your pineapple has gone sour, such as a withered top. Mark Dellerman, a pineapple farmer, told Epicurious that leaves that are brown, loose, wilted, or falling out are a sign that the fruit is old.
You can also flip your pineapple over and check the bottom. According to eHow, this is often the first part of the fruit to show signs of decay. If the bottom is mushy, wet, or moldy, the pineapple has probably gone bad and is not safe to eat.
Take a look at the body as well. LEAFtv stated that if its color is orange, dark gold, or brown instead of green or yellow, the fruit inside has probably started to spoil. The same applies if the texture is wrinkly, dry, or just unhealthy-looking in general. And if there are any cracks or leaks, you should definitely toss the pineapple out (via wikiHow).
You should also pay close attention to any white spots or fuzzy growths on the leaves or body. Again, these are likely to be mold, so the pineapple should be thrown away, as per LEAFtv.
What a bad pineapple smells and feels like
It's also important to pay attention to your other senses when checking to see if your pineapple is still good. Hold the pineapple bottom-up to your nose and sniff it. If you get a whiff of the fruity and sweet pineapple scent you know and love, then the inside should be ripe and okay to eat. However, if you catch hints of anything that smells like chemical, alcohol, or vinegar, that's a sign that the fruit has started to ferment and will taste bad (via eHow).
Another way to determine the condition of your pineapple is to squeeze it. A ripe pineapple will give a little but will still feel firm. If you squeeze and the fruit feels soft and spongy, that indicates that the inside is deteriorating, as per Allrecipes.
If you can't tell whether your pineapple has gone bad from its appearance, scent, or texture and decide to cut into it, flesh that's mostly brown and mushy is a telltale sign that it's rotten and should be discarded. However, if you only see a few brown spots, you may be able to cut these parts away and still enjoy the pineapple without any issue (via eHow).
Heeding these warning signs will help you save your pineapple just in time or, at the very least, spare you the effort of cutting into a rotten one.