How to Peel a Kiwi

Kiwifruit (also known as Chinese gooseberries, or "kiwi" for short) is a versatile fruit often used in salads, dressings, marinades, pavlovas, and as a fruit topping for ice cream. The enzymes in kiwifruit also make it an excellent tenderizer for meat.^{[1]
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The delicate flesh of the kiwifruit requires careful peeling to avoid damaging the fruit by gouging or splitting. Removing the skin with a knife or vegetable peeler is a common method, as is scooping out the flesh with a spoon. You can even blanch a kiwifruit to remove the skin. Here are three methods for peeling a kiwifruit.

Removing Kiwi Skin

To peel a kiwi, you can use a serrated knife or vegetable peeler. Use slow and steady motions. If you don't have a peeler, you can use a spoon; just cut the ends off a kiwi, place it end-side down, and then scoop out the fruit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Serrated Knife or Vegetable Peeler

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Use your dominant hand to hold the peeler or knife.

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You may need to make a small nick in the skin to get a hold.
Use a sawing motion to peel from the bottom to the top of the kiwifruit - peeling away from your hand to avoid accidentally cutting yourself. Peel gently – don't cut deeply or you'll remove too much of the flesh of the fruit.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Peeling kiwifruit with a spoon

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The back of the spoon should rest against the inside of the skin.
Apply a small amount of pressure against the skin and gently turn the kiwifruit with your other hand, scooping the flesh away from the skin. When the spoon gets back to the starting point, the kiwifruit should pop out of the skin.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing the Skin

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Bring the water to a rolling boil.
Drop the whole kiwifruit into the boiling water and blanch it for 20 to 30 seconds.
When it's cool to the touch, you should be able to peel the skin off with your fingers.

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If I blanch the kiwi in the boiling water, will it taste different?

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No, it won't taste much different, but it will change the texture pretty drastically.

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Are kiwis a good fruit for weight loss?

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Kiwis are low in calories, so they can be a good snack choice if you're trying to lose weight.

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What constitutes a portion of blueberries?

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1/2 a cup. If you weigh your food to determine serving size, a 1/2-cup serving of fresh blueberries equals approximately 75 grams or 2.6 ounces.

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Originally from China, kiwifruit is grown in large quantities in New Zealand, Australia, South America, and parts of Europe.^{[2]
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If you need to ripen a kiwifruit, you can leave it out at room temperature for a few days. To speed up the process, place it in a brown paper bag with a banana, apple, or pear. The ethylene gas these fruits emit helps the kiwifruit ripen faster.

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There is a quick and simple way to peel kiwifruit with a teaspoon. This method works best with fruit that is ripe but not too soft. First, cut off both ends of a kiwi. Then slip a teaspoon just under the skin, matching the spoon’s curve to the curve of the fruit. Now slide the spoon around the kiwi to separate the fruit from the skin, being careful not to dig the spoon into the flesh. Once the spoon has been completely run around the fruit, it will easily slip out of the skin in one smooth piece!

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Warnings

Don't boil a kiwifruit that is overripe. The flesh is too soft, and you'll end up with nothing but mushy pulp. If this does happen, make kiwi jam or relish!

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The enzymes in kiwifruit will cause gelatine and aspic to not set; kiwifruit also curdles milk, making it an undesirable addition to homemade ice cream.^{[3]
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