Inside: Get helpful tips on how to have a sweet pineapple whether you’re shopping for one, already bought one, or you’ve cut it open only to discover it isn’t sweet.
Mmm… There’s nothing like sweet, juicy pineapple, especially a FRESH one.
But what about the time you brought home a whole pineapple and after putting the other groceries away, you looked over at it, grabbed the knife, and cut that bad boy open – mouth all fixed & ready to enjoy that sweet succulent flavor.
The aroma made your mouth water with anticipation so you cut it up, took a bite and found yourself with a frowned up pucker because the pineapple turned out to be a super-tart, nowhere near sweet, DUD of a pineapple!
Ugh. Major disappointment, wasn’t it?
I know honey, I KNOW.
Good news is, I just might be able to help you not have to go through that ordeal again.
Psst…did you already CUT your pineapple only to discover it isn’t sweet? Not to worry. Simply click here and read tip #6 to find out what to do in that case! But after you read that, I highly recommend you scroll those beautiful eyes right on back up here and read the entire article so you’ll know what to do the NEXT time you buy one! 😉
Related: STOP! Before You Throw Away Those Brown Spotted Bananas…
Helpful Tips For Sweet, Juicy Pineapple
Have you heard that once a pineapple is picked from the tree, it can ripen no further?
Me too. Whether or not it’s true, I don’t know. But I DO know that the tips I’m about to share with you pretty much always sends me in pineapple bliss!
I mean, it won’t hurt you to try ’em and see what happens, right?
Right. So let’s get to it, shall we?
1. Choose one that does not have noticeable soft spots
Try to get one that’s firm all around, since spots usually indicate bruising or possibly rottenness. Not to mention, pineapples with bruising spots will attract fruit flies even more!
2. Avoid Moldy Bottoms
A lot of stores have pineapples with gross, moldy undersides. But when/where possible, get pineapples that have nice, clean bottoms. This is optional, but if you’re ‘moldaphobic’ like me, you’ll find it necessary.
Besides, someone once told me that mold on food actually begins on the INSIDE. I’ve never tested that theory, so I don’t know if it’s true or not… but it kinda stuck with me and therefore, moldy food is a no-go for me even if you can “just cut it off”.
3. Give a Leaf A Tug
If you tug on a leaf or two and it pulls out almost effortlessly, that typically means you’ve got a pretty good one there. Not always, but to be on the safe side, be sure to perform tip #5 even IF the leaves pull off easily.
Don’t make getting healthier complicated or weird. Let me help you keep it simple with my “Baby Steps To Getting Healthier” tips sheet & sorta-kinda-weekly email newsletter.
4. Go For The Gold
Unless you’re don’t mind waiting a few days or so, get a pineapple that is golden as opposed to really green. The more green it is, the less ripe it is. But if you get a green one (as I have many times) you can still get some sweetness out of it with this next tip…
5. Stand It On Its Head
Whether you get a green or golden brown pineapple… easy-to-pull-off leaves or not-so-easy… once you get the pineapple home, do NOT cut it open right away!
Instead, sit it on the counter UPSIDE DOWN (that’s right…with the leaves pointing downward) and if need be, prop it up or in between something so that it stays up and won’t slide down.
Leave it for 1-3 days, depending on how ripe (golden brown or green) it is at the time of purchase. The less ripe it is, the longer you’ll want to leave it.
If you purchased a green one, you’ll notice that the color will begin to change from that bright green to the golden brown that you want.
What this does is allow the juices to flow to the part of the pineapple that is usually the least juicy and sweet – the top, where the leaves stick out.
6. If All Else Fails or You’ve Already Cut It
If you’re reading this AFTER you’ve already cut the pineapple and/or none of the above tips worked for you; grab your sweetener of choice (try to ditch the refined white sugar for a natural sweetener), cut up your pineapple, place into a bowl and gently mix it up well!
Be sure to keep it refrigerated, IF you don’t eat it all up in one day!
You’ll also notice that after about a day or two that it forms a sort of “syrup” that’s way better for you than that stuff in a can!
Here are a few other suggestions to do with your unsweet pineapple:
– Cut it up, put into a freezer bag and use for smoothies later. If you drink orange juice, blend some with OJ for orange-pineapple juice.
– Blend with sweetener of your choice and make pineapple pops, using popsicle molds or ice cube trays!
– If you own a dehydrator, slice it up, mix with a little sweetener of choice, and dry it out for pineapple “candy”
Bonus Tip: DON’T toss out the core!
When cutting your pineapple up, slice up the remaining core and put into a freezer bag and keep it in the freezer. Then, when making fruit smoothies, fresh juice or meal replacement shakes, blend a slice or two of the core into the smoothie or shake for a delicious, pineapply treat!
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