With summer in full swing, pineapples are everywhere, but not all are fresh or real. From artificially ripened to wax-coated or even fake-looking fruits, spotting the difference is key. Tap to read!
Look at the Color and Texture of the Skin
A genuine pineapple is golden-yellow and has firm, well-patterned skin. A fake or very processed one may look too shiny, greenish, or uniformly perfect.
Smell Test
At base, a ripe real pineapple smells sweet and tropical in odour. No smell or chemical smell may mean there is some kind of artificial ripening process, or it is a fake.
Pull Away a Crown Leaf
Try to gently pull away a leaf from the crown. If the leaf comes with slight resistance, the fruit is most likely ripe and natural.
Water Soak Test
Submerge the pineapple in water. A nice fresh one will sink or stay slightly below the water surface, but fakes or hollow ones will probably float.
Weight Check
Pick up genuine pineapples have a heavy feel for their size because of their high water and juice content. If it feels light, it may be dry or fake inside.
Information credits
This information is sourced from PubMed. Always purchase fruits from trusted sources and consult experts for food safety concerns.