Bought a bunch of kiwis and aren’t sure how to store them or how long they last?
Or maybe you think your hard-to-touch kiwi has gone bad, but you want to be sure.
Either way, it sounds like you’re looking for information on kiwis. storage guidelines, shelf life and signs of deterioration. And this article covers precisely those topics.
Keep reading.
How to store kiwi
Before we talk about storage options for kiwis (or kiwi for short), we need to cover maturity. Kiwifruit are most often harvested unripe, as this gives them enough time to reach supermarkets.
What you need to know is that The underripe kiwi is firm to the touch and not yet optimal for consumption..
That means your hard kiwi isn’t bad, just not ripe yet. Once the fruit ripens, it gives a bit if you squeeze it gently with your palms.
You can keep a green kiwi in the fridge or at room temperature.
The first option is great if you want to extend your shelf life for months, and that’s what kiwi sellers tend to do. But, assuming you bought the kiwis to enjoy, leave them at room temperature where they will ripen (NC).
If you want to speed up the ripening process, place the fruit in a vented plastic bag or in a container with an ethylene-producing fruit such as an apple or banana (CK). It should ripen in a day or two.
Once the kiwi is ripe, you can leave it out at room temperature or refrigerate it.
The former is great if you plan to eat it in a couple of days, while the latter when you’re not sure when you’ll eat it. However, if you leave it on the counter, make sure it is out of direct sunlight.
Fruits that produce ethylene help kiwis ripen faster, but that can be a double-edged sword, as they also reduce the storage time of ripe kiwis (NC). In other words, it is better to store ripe kiwi alone and watch carefully for those that are hastily ripened with ethylene.
How long does the kiwi last?
When it comes to storage times, those largely depend on where you store the fruit and whether or not it is ripe.
An underripe kiwi ripens slowly at room temperature for between two days and up to a week. It all depends on how long it was stored in the supermarket.
Once ripe, it usually keeps for several days at room temperature (if stored neat), and even up to four weeks in the fridge (CK).
In other words, kiwis can last quite a while in the fridge, and you shouldn’t have a problem eating them all before they go bad.
| Pantry | Fridge | |
|---|---|---|
| green kiwi | 2 to 7 days, until ripe | |
| ripe kiwi | 3 to 6 days | up to 4 weeks |
One thing to remember is that refrigerating an overripe kiwi won’t help you much.
Sure, the low temperature will slow down any further decay, but the damage is already done. It’s best to eat it right away (if it’s still good to eat) or throw it away.
Speaking of knowing if the fruit can still be consumed…
How to know if the kiwi is bad?
Checking if kiwis are bad is no different than checking any other fruit or vegetable. You must be attentive to:
- Changed texture. If the fruit is very soft, mushy, or begins to ooze, throw it away.
- Out of smell. If you smell something sour instead of citrus, get rid of it. Please note that this rarely happens.
- Dark spots. If it just darkens the skin, that’s usually fine, since you’re cutting it anyway. But if the pulp also starts to darken, it’s probably time to go. Or you can do it the same way we do most vegetables: cut off the part (and then some) and eat the rest. When it comes to the latter option, you do so at your own risk.
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