Does Pineapple Go Bad?

In this brief guide, we address the question,  “Does pineapple go bad?” as well as other questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how to store pineapples or how long do pineapples last. 

Does pineapple go bad? 

Indeed, pineapples do go bad with time. Fresh pineapples are the most perishable and have a very limited shelf life. So if you have found pineapples at a good price, don’t rush to buy a few if you don’t know how you will be storing them.

When buying pineapples, pick good ones. Make sure to check the firmness of the fruit. Soft spots, dents, and bruising are not good signs. Green leaves are another indicator of a good pineapple. If the leaves are brown and dried out, it means that the pineapple is not fresh and may have been picked many days ago.

How to Store Pineapples?

Pineapples come in many forms i.e. fresh or pre-cut, canned and dehydrated. The storage

conditions for pineapples differ depending on which kind you prefer.

Whole Pineapple

Whole pineapples should not be kept at room temperature unless you are going to eat them within a day or two. 

The fridge is the best place to store them. Put the fruit in a plastic bag making sure you leave the top loosely open to let the fruit breathe. Alternatively, you can make some holes in the bag. Whole pineapples last for 1 to 2 days when kept at room temperature and 3 to 4 days when kept in a refrigerator.

As pineapples also don’t handle ‘weight’ well, avoid putting any other fruit or vegetable on them to avoid bruising and soft spots.

Cut Pineapple

You should always keep pineapple chunks or slices in airtight containers and plastic bags, whether you buy sliced pineapples or cut them yourself. While the shelf life of cut pineapples is slightly shorter, many people prefer having them in the fridge instead of whole pineapples. Keep pineapple slices in simple syrup. As you may know, sugar is a natural preservative and will help to maintain the flavour and texture of cut pineapple for a few more days.

Canned Pineapple

Like all other canned foods, canned pineapples should also be stored in the cool and dark area. The pantry or a kitchen cabinet will work so long as you keep the cans of pineapples away from heat sources and sunlight. You should discard canned pineapples if the packaging is leaking.

Dried Pineapple 

Dried pineapples should be kept in an airtight container or plastic bag. You can store dried pineapples at room temperature. However, it is best to store dried pineapples in the fridge when the temperature is hot and humid. You can put them in the freezer if you know you won’t be eating them within the following few months.

Can You Freeze Pineapple?

Freezing pineapples does extend the shelf life of pineapples significantly. Freeze pineapples after peeling them and cutting into chunks. Put the pineapple chunks into airtight plastic containers or bags and store them in the freezer. When using a bag make sure to squeeze out the excess air.

To prevent the chunks from sticking to each other after freezing, freeze the pineapple chunks on a baking tray first and only then divide them into portions and freeze in bags or containers. In order to defrost, simply transfer them from the freezer into the fridge or let the pineapple thaw at room temperature.

How Long Do Pineapples Last?

Whole pineapples stored in the pantry will keep well for only 2 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate the pineapples. Cut or sliced pineapples, refrigerated in an airtight container or bag, should be consumed within 3 to 4 days. The shelf life of canned pineapples is way longer. They will remain safe for consumption for around 6 months past the printed date.

Dried pineapples have a quite long shelf life too. Stored at room temperature or in the fridge, they will last for 6 to 12 months. Freezing extends the shelf life of dried pineapples to up to 18 months. But if kept for a long time, they will lose their flavour and texture qualities. Frozen pineapples can be stored in the freezer for around 1 year.

Signs That Pineapple Has Gone Bad

When the leaves start going brown or soft spots start to appear on the sides of the fruit, you should know that very little time is left until the fruit goes fully bad. In such cases, remove the soft parts, peel, and cut the fruit into your desired pieces. Bad pineapple can be detected by the mushy bottom part. If you see any liquid leaking from the bottom of the pineapples, it should also be a sign for you to discard the fruit.

If you see mold or any other growth on the pineapple you should immediately toss it out. You can remove the bad parts and eat the rest. But don’t do this if the bad parts are too big and cover most of the fruit. If you are not sure whether the fruit is good just by looking at it, cut it through and smell it. If the pineapple looks and smells good, and there are no black spots or bruising on the flesh, you can go ahead and try it.

Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the question,  “Does pineapple go bad?” as well as other questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how to store pineapples or how long do pineapples last. 

References:

https://www.wellfedblog.com/how-long-do-pineapples-last/

https://www.doesitgobad.com/pineapple-go-bad/