Do Kiwis Need To Be Refrigerated?

Kiwis are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can add a burst of flavor and color to your salads, smoothies, desserts, and more. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and other health benefits. But how do you store kiwis properly to keep them fresh and tasty for longer? Do kiwis need to be refrigerated or can they be left at room temperature?

Do kiwis need to be refrigerated? The answer is yes, kiwis need to be refrigerated if you want to extend their shelf life. However, you should only refrigerate ripe kiwis and leave unripe ones at room temperature until they are ready to eat.

How to store kiwis: step by step guide

Here are the detailed steps on how to store kiwis:

• Choose ripe kiwis. When buying kiwis from the grocery store or the farmers market, look for ones that are firm but slightly soft when gently pressed. They should also have a smooth and fuzzy skin with no bruises or cuts. Avoid kiwis that are too hard, too soft, wrinkled, or moldy.
• Store unripe kiwis at room temperature. If your kiwis are still hard and not ready to eat, you should store them at room temperature until they ripen. You can place them in a paper bag with an apple or a banana to speed up the ripening process. This is because apples and bananas produce ethylene gas, which is a natural hormone that stimulates fruit ripening. Check your kiwis daily and move them to the fridge once they are ripe.
• Refrigerate ripe kiwis. Once your kiwis are ripe and soft, you should refrigerate them to preserve their freshness and flavor. You can place them in a plastic bag or a container with holes to allow some air circulation. You can also wrap them individually in paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Keep your kiwis in the crisper drawer of your fridge, away from other fruits and vegetables that may produce ethylene gas and cause them to overripen.
• Eat your kiwis within a week. Refrigerated kiwis can last for up to a week if stored properly. However, they may start to lose their quality and taste after that. Therefore, you should try to eat your kiwis within a week of refrigerating them. You can enjoy them as they are or use them in various recipes.

How to tell if kiwis are bad

Kiwis are usually easy to tell if they are bad or spoiled. Here are some signs that indicate that your kiwis have gone bad:

• They have a sour or fermented smell.
• They have a mushy or slimy texture.
• They have dark spots or mold on the skin or flesh.
• They have an off or bitter taste.

If you notice any of these signs, you should discard your kiwis immediately and not eat them. Eating spoiled kiwis can cause food poisoning or other health problems.

What are the benefits of eating kiwis

Kiwis are not only delicious but also nutritious. They have many benefits for your health, such as:

• They boost your immune system by providing vitamin C, which is essential for fighting infections and inflammation.
• They improve your digestion by providing fiber, which helps regulate your bowel movements and prevent constipation.
• They protect your eyes by providing lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
• They support your skin by providing vitamin E, which helps moisturize your skin and prevent aging signs.
• They lower your blood pressure by providing potassium, which helps balance the sodium levels in your body and relax your blood vessels.

Final thoughts

Kiwis are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can add a burst of flavor and color to your salads, smoothies, desserts, and more. But how do you store kiwis properly to keep them fresh and tasty for longer? Do kiwis need to be refrigerated or can they be left at room temperature?

The answer is yes, kiwis need to be refrigerated if you want to extend their shelf life. However, you should only refrigerate ripe kiwis and leave unripe ones at room temperature until they are ready to eat.

By following these simple steps on how to store kiwis, you can enjoy this fruit for longer and reap its health benefits.