look at the color of the fruit
A good pineapple has a smooth oval shape and weighs an average of about 2 kg. The peel should be bright yellow or orange with green or brown streaks. It must have scales with so-called eyes, which have already dried up. On top of the fruit is a sultan - a lush green hat.
The color of the leaves should be green; if they are a little winded, that's good. When a lot of brown is present, it means that the fruit has been kept warm to ripen. No damage and cuts on the surface of the pineapple are not allowed.
Push and knock
Ripe pineapple feels slightly squeezed to the touch. If you cannot feel the pulp, the fruit is not yet ripe, and if it is pressed too hard, the fruit is overripe. You can tap on the pineapple. As with watermelon, the tapping sound will tell you if the fruit is ripe. If the sound is empty, then the pineapple is good.
Twist the sultan
Sultan - green leaves on a pineapple that resemble a palm tree. In addition to the advice to try to pull them out, you can twist them. The main thing is not to overdo it and not break the sultan. In a ripe fruit, the palm easily scrolls, almost departs from the fruit.
Smell
You can find the sweetest pineapple by smell. Pay attention to specimens that have a sweet fruity, but light aroma. If the fruit smells excessively strong, chances are that the pineapple is overripe and has begun to ferment. And the one that does not smell at all was cut off too early.
How to peel and store pineapple
The easiest and safest way to peel a pineapple is to cut off the stalk so that it stands firmly on the board, then cut off the top with leaves, and then cut off the scales with a knife along the pineapple. It is better to store peeled pineapple in a box with holes and not in the refrigerator. Pineapple absorbs the smells of other foods very well, and loses its sweetness in the cold. It is best to place the fruit in a dark, moderately cool place.