How to Store Pineapple For a Long Time: Methods and Tips for Whole and Cut Pineapples

Sweet, juicy, rich in vitamin C and potassium, pineapple is one of the tropical fruits we know best: a symbol of summer, we bring it to the table as a dessert simply sliced ​​or caramelized and we use it as an ingredient in cold desserts or baked, enhancing its exotic aroma and natural crunch. When we buy it at the supermarket, it is best if it is ripe enough to be eaten immediately, because it is a non-climacteric fruit, meaning once picked it stays as it is: the flaky peel is a beautiful golden color – if green it is unripe, while if it tends to brown it is overripe – the consistency is firm and the aroma is pleasantly fruity. Once you bring it home, if you decide to store it, you have to do it in the best way. Here are the different options for keeping pineapple available for a long time.

How to Store Whole Pineapple

You've bought a beautiful pineapple, but you want to save it for that lunch or dinner you're planning. No problem: in this case you have two options. Once the fruit is ripe, whole, and intact, it can be stored at room temperature, provided the place is cool and dry, away from heat and light sources, and the temperature doesn't fall below 46°F/8°C. In optimal conditions, it will keep for over a week, protected by its peel. Most of the time, however, it's hot indoors, exceeding 77°F/25°C during the summer, so it's advisable not to wait more than 2-3 days before serving it. To make it last at least 6-7 days, you can put it in the refrigerator, in the fresh vegetable drawer, preferably wrapped in a paper bag (a bread bag is fine) to absorb excess moisture. Given its tropical origins, pineapples don't like very low temperatures, which can cause the surface to darken.

How to Store Cut Pineapple

Unlike whole pineapples, which require no special care, cutting them requires more care, as the watery, sugary pulp quickly deteriorates due to airborne oxidation and is susceptible to mold, which causes them to rot. To use them fresh, whether sliced ​​or chopped, store them in an airtight glass or plastic container. It's best to consume them within 24-48 hours, but they can be stored for up to 3-4 days: the longer they're stored, the more their flavor and texture will change. To slow down the browning process, you can drizzle a little lemon juice on them and mix them with other fruit to make a fruit salad.

Can You Freeze Pineapple?

The answer is yes, and it's an excellent solution for preserving it for up to 2-3 months. How do you do it? You need to remove the peel and the more fibrous central core, then cut it into slices or cubes and transfer everything into plastic bags or containers suitable for single portions, so you can more easily select only the quantity you need. Pineapple while still frozen can be used directly in smoothies, shakes or cocktails, while once you defrost it, it is mandatory to put it in the refrigerator and use it within 24 hours: in this case, it will be soft, not suitable for preparations that enhance its crunchiness, but it proves excellent for jams, sweet and sour chutneys or in creative savory recipes such as pineapple chicken, cooked in a pan and flavored with soy sauce.