Everything you need to know about pineapple! Why does it hurt your mouth? How do you know when it’s ripe? All your questions answered here!
Eatmail subscribers already know that I am super excited about this spotlight ingredient, because after much deliberation, I think I can say pineapples are my favorite fruit.
The boyfriend-tulip-man, being Dutch and therefore very direct and sensible, says you can only have one “favorite” thing. And, naturally, that puts a lot of weight on my decisions regarding favorite things. I really like tacos, but I’m not sure I’m ready to say it’s my favorite. The color yellow is great, but can I really say it’s my favorite? Well guess what? Pineapple is my favorite fruit.
And for the next two weeks we’re going to be all about it here on LEL. As usual, today is all about the learns. I’ve researched and written up everything you really need to know about pineapple, starting with the question of the century…why does it make my mouth hurt?!
Why does pineapple make my mouth hurt?
Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which breaks down proteins. So essentially, the enzyme is working away at your mouth as you chew the pineapple, which can cause some irritation, tingling, or pain.
Once you swallow the pineapple, your stomach has what it needs to protect itself from bromelain, so fear it not! In fact, bromelain may even help reduce inflammation in other areas of the body, like in joints and soft tissue, sinuses, and intestines.
How to pick the perfect pineapple
Contrary to popular belief, pineapples do not ripen after they are picked, which means you’ll want to pick the ripest one when purchasing. There are a few ways to determine if it’s ripe (hint: the external color of the fruit doesn’t necessarily indicate ripeness):
- Smell the bottom. If it smells strong, sweet, and fragrant, it’s probably ripe. No smell? Not ripe!
- Pluck a leaf from the center of the crown. If it comes out easily, it’s probably ripe.
How To Store Pineapples
Because pineapples don’t ripen after being picked, they can only get less tasty with age, so proper storage is essential!
- Room temperature: You can store uncut pineapples at room temperature for about 3 days.
- Refrigerated: You can also store uncut pineapples in the warmest part of your fridge (usually the top), where they will last longer (though the leaves and outer skin may brown slightly). Cut pineapple should always be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Favorite Pineapple Recipes
Nutrition information for pineapple
per 1 cup of pineapple chunks (165 g)
- Calories: 82
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g, 9% of Daily Value (DV)
- Protein: 0.9 g
- Fat: 0.2 g
- 131% DV of Vitamin C: A water-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant to fight against potentially damaging free radicals (molecules with unshared electrons that float around wreaking havoc) and an important cofactor in collagen synthesis.
- 10% DV of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): A water-soluble vitamin that works behind the scenes as a coenzyme in many important reactions within your body, including protein metabolism and red blood cell formation, among countless other functions.
Sarah | Well and Full says
This is such a great guide to pineapples! They’re one of my favorite fruits 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Sarah! 🙂
Ann says
Hello.
I need to keep out the fruit for an appetizer recipe and keep the pineapple top from wilting for 24 hours. How long do you think it will stay fresh in the fridge in order to use it as decoration for my dip appetizer? Thank you so much!
Sarah says
Hi Ann! While I haven’t tried this before, I think it would stay fresh in the fridge. You might also want to set the base (where you cut it) in water so the crown has some water to stay plump and green.
2Good2Go says
Sarah, I don’t know how many pineapples you’ve handled or consumed; but my several years of living in Jamaica and eating a minimum of two medium to large pineapples weekly, belies much that you’ve averred.
And as a matter of fact, in my vast experience: THEY DO RIPEN ONCE PICKED; they also become more sweet, even when refrigerated–peeled or unpeeled.
Furthermore, I’ve had unrefrigerated uncut ones take as long as two weeks for their skin color mature from green to orange, and consequently taste sweeter, then last another week refrigerated–never on the warmest shelf–becoming progressively sweeter.
Martin Christopher says
Hello ,Ma’am Sarah; if I cut my pineapples and store it for 2-3days for the enzymes on it still Good? Or is no longer there as it was before thank you 😉
Sarah says
They should still be there!
Linda M says
Hiya. For certain, the pineapples you were fortunate to consume in Jamaica were by far more fresh. They could picked as ripe and transferred to shoppers possibly the same day. I’ve no doubt you notice they taste more sweet over time. Our tropical fruits take about month to reach our grocery shelves. They need be picked more green to be able to make the journey. A pineapple might store at room temp for 3 day max but rather than ripen at all noticeably it definitely begins to rot. I believe there’s a peak period for pineapples so that they will be somewhat larger and more mature, not sure when but March appears better than Feb did. Our own apples for instance store at room temp for could be a month. I’ve never travelled to anywhere tropical, it would be a dream to be able to and experience your wonderful foods first hand.
Kelly says
I bought a whole pineapple for a drink holder. Need to store for 2 weeks before using. Should I cut out meat and freeze rind for drink holder?
Sarah says
I haven’t tried this so I can’t say for sure, but I think freezing might impact the texture?
Izzy says
I’ve read the same advice before, namely smelling the bottom of the pineapple and if it smells sweet then it’s probably ripe, good to buy etc. The problem is the one time I followed that advice and brought that pineapple home from the store once I cut into it I realized it smelled so sweet because it was already partially rotten at the bottom. So how do you tell the difference between one that’s ripe and one that’s going bad? It smelled like a good pineapple scent.
Sarah says
Hmm it’s hard to say! I would guess the rotten one would have soft or brown spots, or a fermented kind of smell.
Dina says
Can the pineapple be frozen whole with the skin on it
Sarah says
I suppose it can be, but it may be harder to cut later! 😀
Beverly says
Thank YOU, Excellent ARTICLE.
Jeanne says
Is it ok to eat pineapple that has been in a styrofoam cup for three days?
Sarah says
If it has been in the fridge then probably, yes!
Asheton Wall says
How long does pineapple stay in your system?? Bc I have been eating pineapples for the past 2 weeks and I am curious on how long it can stay in your system for??
Sarah says
Every compound in the pineapple probably lasts in your body for different amounts of time, so it’s hard to say!
Brenda Shrader says
What is the best way to store cut pineapple bought in a store? Mine always goes bad or pale . I have tried storing upside down with paper towels, storing small servings and freezing the rest. Thank you.
Sarah says
I just store it in an airtight container in the fridge! 😀
Aysha says
I cut a pineapple top part and did not peel it off …but I want it to stay for a week …will it stay fresh
Sarah says
It should stay fine in the fridge! 😀
Dee says
I have 2 pineapples almost ripe. When do I cut the pups or slips off? They are right under the pineapples .
Sarah says
Once they’re about 8 inches or so (or about 1/3 to 1/2 of the mother’s size). 😀
Patty says
I need to make a pineapple boat for a party, but need to make it in advance. How can I keep it from browsing?
Sarah Bond says
Anything with ascorbic acid (like orange juice) will prevent browning. Just splash it all over the cut side of the fruit!
Erika says
Aloha From Hawaii. So one more tidbit, once you cut the crown off the pineapple turn it upside down and let it sit for 30mins. This will allow all the yummy juice to flow through the whole pineapple making all the fruit nice and sweet. Make sure to put the pineapple on a plate first though otherwise, you’ll have juice everywhere!
Holly Belle says
Can i store fresh cut pineapple in some sort of Juice in my refrigerator for a week, similiar to ‘Pineapple spears in coconut water’ that Sams club sells? I like a slice of pineapple with my breakfast each day.
Sarah Bond says
I think that would work well! Acidic juice, like orange or pineapple, would probably keep it fresh for longer.
Faith says
How do you know if pineapple is bad
Sarah Bond says
Pineapple will usually be discolored and have a fermented smell when it is bad.
Balakrishna says
If I cut the pine apple into two halves and I didn’t peel it off. So will it be okay for just one day???
Sarah Bond says
It should be okay!
Charles L says
They do ripen after you pick them. If you let them ripen to much they WILL get eaten by a animal.
Linda says
It seems to me that “Everything you need to know about pineapples” should include how to cut them up into edible pieces.
Karen says
What makes pineapple give off a chemical smell?
Sarah Bond says
I’m honestly not sure! It could be that it’s begun to ferment?
Angela B says
I have been seeing different images of pineapples everywhere I go for about 2 days. They have just been jumping out at me. I finally realize I am being given a message so I googled pineapple and found your website. I have yet to decide the message but it has my attention! Thank you for your website!