How to Choose Kiwis

Co-authored by Markeicha Dulaney

Last Updated: January 4, 2024 Approved

With their refreshing, citrusy flavor, kiwifruit (generally shortened to kiwis) are a delicious fruit packed with nutrients. Kiwis are a great addition to salads and act as an effective meat tenderizer.^{[1]
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Research source} While some people choose kiwis that are ripe because they want to eat them right away, others choose unripe kiwis in order to ripen them at home and eat them at a later date. Whether you want ripe and ready-to-eat kiwis or unripe kiwis, know how to properly select them in order to fully enjoy the benefits that the fruit can offer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Picking Ripe and Ready-to-Eat Kiwis

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Inspect the outer skin’s color and texture. A ripe kiwi’s skin is brown and fuzzy. Also, check for any bruises, dark spots, mold, or wrinkles. If the kiwi is bruised, shriveled, or has mold, then the kiwi is not good for eating and is probably overripe.^{[2]
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Hold the kiwi between your thumb and four fingers. Apply light pressure with your thumb. If the kiwi slightly gives, then it is perfectly ripe; it should feel soft, but not too soft. On the other hand, if the kiwi gives too much when you apply pressure, it’s probably mushy and overripe.^{[3]
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Also smell the kiwi for readiness. If the kiwi gives off a fragrant, citrus smell, then it is perfectly ripe and ready to eat. However, if the kiwi gives off a pungent, sweet smell then it is most likely overripe.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Picking Unripe Kiwis

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The skin of an unripe kiwi has a greener hue, and may not be as hairy as ripe kiwis. Check for bruises and dark spots as well. You don’t want damaged fruit that will ripen unevenly.^{[4]
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Hold the kiwi between your thumb and four fingers. Apply pressure with your thumb. If the kiwi is firm and does not give to pressure, then it is unripe. You can then ripen your kiwis at home.^{[5]
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Ripen your kiwis at home. Ripen your kiwis at home by placing them in a paper bag with another fruit, such as a banana.^{[6]
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Research source} The kiwis also need to be at room temperature to become ripe. Wait three to five days before checking to see if the kiwis are ripe.^{[7]
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How can I easily peel kiwis?

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You can easily peel kiwis with a vegetable peeler. You can also use a spoon with teeth on the tip. If you are finding it really hard to peel the kiwi, remember that the skin is edible, too.

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Do golden kiwis have the same health benefits as regular, green kiwis?

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Yes, golden kiwis have the same, or in some cases, more health benefits than green kiwi. For example, golden kiwis have more vitamin C and E, however, they have the same amount of potassium as green kiwis.

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What is a kiwano?

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Despite the similarity in its name, a kiwano is not a kiwi. A kiwano is a more like a cross between a cucumber, zucchini, and a kiwi. It is also called a horned melon, jelly melon, African horned cucumber, hedged gourd, melano, and blowfish fruit.

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Tips

Kiwis are in season from November to May; it is better to buy them during this time.

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Ripe kiwis can be stored in the fridge in a bag for up to 7 days.

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