Overripe pineapple (don't throw it away!)

There’s something so delicious about enjoying a fresh pineapple in the summer, especially when it’s cold and juicy.

But how many times have you bought a whole or sliced pineapple at the store with the intention of enjoying it only to see it soften and eventually go bad in the fridge?

You may be wondering if there is a stage where pineapple is past ripe but is still safe to eat.

How can you tell if your pineapple is overripe?

The leaves will start to turn brown and shrivel, and the skin will turn orange instead of yellow. The smell may also start to change from sweet to slightly sour, as the sugars inside the pineapple begin to slightly ferment.

Fortunately, you can still enjoy your pineapple even if it’s a little past its prime.

How to choose a perfect pineapple

Before we get into what an overripe pineapple looks like, you’ll probably want to know how to pick a perfectly ripe pineapple at the store or how to tell when it’s ready to eat once you have it at home.

Follow these tips to always choose the perfect pineapple.

Color

Although the stereotypical image of a pineapple is brown with green leaves, when a pineapple begins to ripen the skin becomes more of a yellowish color.

If you want to know when your pineapple is perfectly ripe, look for a golden yellow color from top to bottom.

Smell

If you pick up your pineapple and smell it, it should tell you if it’s ripe or not. You should smell sweet, fruity, bright, and pineapple.

When it reaches this stage, your pineapple will be ready to be enjoyed. You will want to smell the bottom of the pineapple for the best results.

Texture

If your pineapple has a nice golden yellow color and a delicious sweet and fruity aroma, pick it up and squeeze it gently. If it has a subtle softness, then it’s ready to eat. 

How to tell if your pineapple is too ripe

Now, if you want to know if your pineapple is overripe, you can use the same techniques as above, only what you find out is going to be a little different than what you see when your pineapple is perfectly ripe.

Color

Look at the color of your pineapple’s skin. If it has turned from golden yellow to orange, it may be a sign that the pineapple is overripe.

You can also look at the leaves. If they have turned brown, have started to wilt and droop, this is another sign that your pineapple is overripe. 

Smell

Just like the smell of pineapple can let you know when it’s ready to eat, it can also tell you when it’s overripe.

Instead of smelling sweet, fresh, and fruity, it will smell slightly sour and possibly bitter. This is a sign that the sugars in the pineapple have started to ferment.

Fortunately, you can still enjoy your pineapple, even if it’s overripe. It might be a little softer and a little sweeter, but overall you can still use it in fun and creative ways in the kitchen.

At the end of this article, I have outlined some of my favorites.

How to tell if your pineapple is rotten

Once the pineapple has rotted, it is no longer safe to eat and should be thrown away to prevent disease. Some signs to look for to indicate that it is time to get rid of your pineapple are

• Mold on the bottom or top of the pineapple. Anytime you see mold on your food, you should throw it out whole, as the spores have spread all over it and can make you sick if you eat it. 
• Your pineapple may also start to get a bit soggy on the bottom while the center starts to dry out.
• The leaves begin to rot or fall off the top of the pineapple. Again, if there is leaf rot it is likely to have spread throughout the pineapple, so it is safest to throw it away at this time. 
• The smell has gone from slightly sour to pungent, really sour, or even bitter with a strong vinegar smell. The longer the pineapple ferments, the more natural sugars will be converted to acetic acid, and the more sour and rotten it will be. 

Creative uses for using overripe pineapple in the kitchen

Overripe pineapple tends to be much sweeter and softer than regular pineapple, which means there are many delicious ways to use it in cooking, aside from eating it plain or dipping it into fruit sauce.

Try some of these creative uses for that pineapple that’s too mushy.

Freeze and add to smoothies

One of my favorite ways to use overripe pineapple is to freeze it and add it to my morning smoothie. Adds a tropical flavor and delicious sweetness to my morning smoothie. To freeze the pineapple follow these steps:

1. Cut the pineapple into cubes or chunks. 
2. Line a cookie sheet or plate with parchment paper and place the pineapple in a single layer. Try to leave some space between each piece so they freeze evenly and don’t stick together. 
3. Place the pineapple chunks in the freezer overnight, or about 12 hours. 
4. When the pieces are well frozen, you can put them in a large freezer bag or divide them into individual size bags. Gently press out the excess air and seal the bag. 
5. Take a piece of tape and write the date and contents on it so you know what you frozen and when. 
6. Put the bag back in the freezer and use it within 12 months. 

Make delicious pineapple popsicles

Another great use for overripe pineapple is to blend it and make delicious fruit popsicles for hot summer days.

These fruit popsicles are so much tastier than store bought ones and you can add other fruits if you want to make them unique.

Follow these steps to make the best pineapple popsicles:

Ingredients

• 1 and a half cups of soft pineapple chunks 
• 1 and a quarter cups Greek yogurt or coconut milk 
• 2 tablespoons pineapple, apple or orange juice 
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and beat until smooth and creamy. 
2. Pour the pineapple mixture into popsicle molds. 
3. Insert the sticks into the mixture, and then place your popsicles in the freezer for about 6-10 hours, or until frozen. 
4. To remove the popsicles from the mold, you can submerge them in hot water and move them gently until they come out. 
5. Enjoy! 

Make a delicious pineapple parfait

Cooked pineapple can be deliciously sweet and rich, with a little hint of caramel flavor. For this parfait, we are going to cook our pineapple until we get a delicious sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 cups overripe pineapple, cut into chunks (or just use a whole pineapple)
• 1 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 
• 1 cup of Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream or coconut milk ice cream.

Instructions

1. Place a medium size saucepan on the heat. 
2. Add the pineapple, water, sugar, vanilla, and sea salt to the pot. 
3. Turn the heat to medium high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir the mixture regularly. 
4. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the pineapple is soft and starting to break down into a more salsa-like consistency. The longer you let it simmer, the more it will break down and the thicker the consistency will be. 
5. Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving over yogurt or ice cream. 

As you can see, there are lots of fun and delicious ways to use overripe pineapple in your kitchen so you don’t have to throw it away. Other things you can try are

• Mix it into pina coladas. 
• Bake it into cakes, muffins or breads. 
• Make a delicious pineapple salsa with red onion, lime, and jalapeno. 
• Use it to tenderize meat and add flavor. 
• Make a pineapple highball with cognac or rum.
• Make a pineapple caramel sauce.
• Bake the pineapple and serve it with whipped cream and berries. 

No matter how you use it, the end result will be sweet, summery, and delicious.