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3 easy ways to spot the perfect pineapple, and it only takes seconds�
The summer menu is incomplete without pineapple. From fresh juice to casserole, the seasonal fruit makes a great addition to several dishes and beverages. But how do you know when a pineapple is perfectly ripe?
You can quickly become dehydrated in summer, so drink plenty of fluids and take fruits rich in water. Along with nutrients and health benefits, you should also know to spot the sweetest seasonal fruit. An easy trick can do it when it comes to pineapple.
How to pick the ‘perfect pineapple’
Professional chef Min Tsai demonstrates three ways to know if a pineapple is ripe. You can try this whenever you go shopping as it barely takes seconds.
1. Smell
A ripe fruit always smells sweet and the same goes for pineapples. Pick the fruit and catch a whiff while holding it a few cm away from your nose. A sweet smell means it’s ripe. You may need to give it a few more days if it doesn’t smell anything.
2. Poke test
The next test involves poking or pushing the pineapple with your thumb. The fruit is perfectly ripe if the skin goes slightly in and returns to its original form.
Your finger will go straight in if it’s too ripe or you won’t be able to push at all if it’s too raw.
3. Grab the top
To know if the pineapple is ripe the chef suggests grabbing its top with just one leaf. If the leaf comes off dropping the fruit, it’s ripe enough to use.
How to always pick the sweetest watermelon
Food scientist Jessica Gavin has a step-by-step guide to picking the sweetest and juiciest watermelon which she’s shared in one of her TikTok videos.
1. Pick a symmetrical fruit without any cuts or bruises on the surface.
2. It’s been watered well with its flavor distributed throughout if it’s symmetrical. The bottom must have a yellow splotch.
3. The fruit must feel heavy for its size as it is made up of 92% of water.
4. The fruit must feel firm when you tap on the surface, whereas it should sound hollow like a drum on the yellow spot underneath.
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