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• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Studying the kiwi
• Method 2 of 3: Smell and feel the kiwi
• Method 3 of 3: Ripe a kiwi properly

With their unmistakably brown skin and sweet, green pulp, kiwis are delicious in fruit salads, breakfast smoothies or just as a standalone. You can get kiwis from your supermarket or market and wonder if they are still fresh or good a few days later. To determine if a kiwi is no longer good, see if the kiwi is moldy. You can also smell or feel the kiwi to determine the freshness. To prevent your kiwis from spoiling in the future, make sure they ripen properly at home.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Studying the kiwi

1. Check the skin and pulp for fungus. Pick up the kiwi and examine it carefully for spots of brown or green mold. The fungus may appear fuzzy with white patches on the skin or pulp.
   • There may be pieces of mold all over the kiwi or just on one piece. Because kiwis are so small, it is best to discard moldy kiwis instead of cutting the mold off and eating the non-moldy piece.
2. Check for dry skin or pulp. Check to see if the kiwi's skin looks shriveled and dry. The pulp can also look dull and dry, with little to no juice in the pulp. These are signs that the kiwi may no longer be good.
3. Check the kiwi for mushy bits. You can also check the kiwi for areas that look wet or mushy, especially on the skin. This could be a sign that the kiwi has gone bad.

Method 2 of 3: Smell and feel the kiwi

1. Smell the kiwi for a sour scent. Kiwis that are no longer good have a spoiled, slightly sour odor. Smell the skin of the kiwi and the pulp to determine if it has an unpleasant odor. If so, it is probably corrupted.
   • A fresh kiwi smells light and citrus with a little sweetness.
2. Squeeze the kiwi to see if it is hard or juicy. Use your fingers to gently squeeze the kiwi. If it feels really hard, it probably wasn't ripe when you bought it and may need more time to mature, or it just isn't right. If the kiwi feels very juicy, it is no longer good.
   • If the kiwi is very hard, try letting it ripen on your counter next to a banana or apple for a few days to see if it gets softer and riper.
3. Touch the pulp to see if it is dry. Use your finger to gently press the pulp inside the kiwi. If it feels dry, the kiwi is probably no longer good.
   • If the kiwi is tender to the touch and appears juicy, it is probably okay to eat as long as it does not smell or is moldy.

Method 3 of 3: Ripe a kiwi properly

1. Buy kiwis when it is in season. Most kiwis are imported from New Zealand or Chile and their growing season runs from May to November. Look for kiwis at your local supermarket during this time to make sure you're buying the best kiwis possible. Buying kiwis in season ensures that they are ripe and juicy.
   • Kiwis sold from December through April have probably been harvested before they were ripe and will not ripen properly if you take them home.
2. Place an unripe kiwi on the counter next to bananas or apples. Bananas and apples are rich in ethylene, so they accelerate the ripening of fruits they are next to. You can put a kiwi and a banana together in a paper bag to speed up ripening or simply place the kiwi next to a banana or an apple in a fruit bowl on your counter.
   • You can also place kiwis next to tomatoes, apricots, figs, cantaloupes, avocados, pears and peaches to help them ripen faster.
3. Put a ripe kiwi in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Once the kiwi is soft to the touch and smells good, you can put it in the freezer to slow down the ripening process. When you have a ripe kiwi cut in half, wrap it in plastic or foil and put it in the freezer. You can also store sliced ​​kiwi in an airtight plastic container in the freezer.
   • Ripe kiwis usually keep for three to four days in the refrigerator.