Everyone loves the sweet and sour taste of kiwis, but sometimes people worry about them being too sour. How should we choose kiwis and how to ripen them? And how should we store them?

Nutritional Value of Kiwis

Kiwis are rich in vitamin C, with an absorption rate of up to 94%. This vitamin boosts immunity and is beneficial for both health and beauty. Kiwis are also high in potassium, which can help balance electrolyte imbalances in patients, making them a good choice for post-operative recovery.

The fiber in kiwis is a great food for those suffering from constipation. The proteolytic enzymes they contain aid in the digestion of protein and meat and prevent protein coagulation. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even listed kiwis as one of 30 cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables.

In terms of vitamin C alone, an equal amount of kiwifruit contains 5-10 times more than citrus fruits, 11-13 times more than lemons, and 20-80 times more than apples. Eating one kiwifruit provides 70-80 mg of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.

How to choose a kiwifruit? Three tips for identifying kiwifruit:

Shape: The kiwifruit should be large and of normal shape. Choose ones with slightly pointed ends. Larger kiwifruit are more nutritious and generally sweeter.
Appearance: The skin should be slightly darker, approaching earthy yellow, with distinct lines and no dark spots.
Texture: The kiwifruit should be moderately ripe, slightly fuzzy, and slightly springy when lightly pressed. If it’s too soft, it’s overripe and should be avoided. Kiwifruit should be free of frostbite, bruises, or rot.

How to determine the ripeness of a kiwifruit?

To check for ripeness, there are two ways to tell if a kiwi is unripe:

Checking for firmness:

Gently hold the kiwi and feel the flesh for doneness. If the stem is soft, the skin is springy, and the fruity aroma is emitting, it’s ripe. If the flesh is still firm in the middle, the kiwi is underripe and needs to sit for a while before eating.

Checking the seeds:

If you bought a whole bag or box of kiwis, cut one in half and examine the seeds. If the seeds are black, they have enough nutrients to ripen. If the seeds are green or yellow-green, they lack sugar and need to be ripened or left for a while longer.

How to ripen kiwis?

Storing at room temperature:

Kiwis at room temperature will ripen within 3-5 days. You can test for ripeness daily by lightly pressing with your thumb. However, keep them out of direct sunlight, as this can overripen or cause discoloration and spoilage. Unripe kiwis can take over a week to fully ripen if refrigerated.

Exposing kiwifruit to ethylene to accelerate ripening:

Place kiwifruit in a paper or plastic bag along with apples, bananas, and pears at room temperature for 1-2 days. The chemicals produced by these fruits will help ripen the kiwifruit, but remember to keep them out of direct sunlight.

How to extend the shelf life of kiwifruit?

Unripe kiwifruit can be refrigerated for about 4 months (stored separately and away from the ethylene-producing fruits listed above). Ripe kiwifruit can be refrigerated for up to 7 days and eaten as soon as possible. To extend its shelf life, refer to the following methods:

Refrigerate in a plastic bag:

Putting kiwifruit in a sealed plastic bag and then refrigerating it will minimize dehydration, preserve its freshness, and extend its shelf life by about another week.

Freezing:

Place whole kiwifruit in a plastic bag and then place it in an airtight container. They can be frozen for several months.

Slice and Freeze:

Peel and slice the kiwi fruit, then sprinkle with a little sugar to preserve its firmness and flavor. Freeze to extend its freshness and create a smoothie-like texture.

Eat fresh: Choose ripe, springy kiwis with emerald green flesh. Cut in half and eat with a spoon.

You can also add sliced ​​or diced kiwi fruit to yogurt for a fiber boost. Adding it to salads with other fruits provides a rich source of vitamins and minerals.