RIPEN

Store kiwifruit at room temperature to hasten ripening. Kiwifruits taste sweeter when softer! Ripe kiwifruit are then best stored in the refrigerator.

Ripening process can be hastened if placed in a bag with apples or bananas.

A ripe kiwifruit will yield gently to light pressure, and can be eaten immediately or stored in the refrigerator for a further 7-10 days.

Zespri Kiwifruit sweeten as they age but if left for too long, they will become mushy. So it is best to consume them before they become too soft!

FAQs

Is kiwifruit skin edible?

Yes. You can eat the whole of your Zespri Kiwifruit, including the skin. What’s more, the skin is rich in fibre. If you’re not too keen on the fine hairs on the Zespri Green Kiwifruit, simply brush them off before you take a bite. As with any other fruit you eat unpeeled, make sure you rinse the kiwifruit first.

Can I speed up the ripening process?

The Zespri Green Kiwifruit can be rather firm when you buy it. Such unripe kiwifruit will be too sour to eat and should be kept at room temperature and they will ripen in a few days. You can also speed up the ripening process by storing kiwifruit in a paper or plastic bag together with other ripe fruit such as banana, apple, etc. Ripe fruit contains ethylene, a natural emitted gas that hastens the ripening process. Zespri Gold Kiwifruit, however, is usually ready to eat and needs no further ripening.

Can I use kiwifruit in a milk product or with gelatine?

Yes, but if you use uncooked kiwifruit in a dish containing a milk product or gelatine, you need to eat it very soon afterwards. If you want to be able to store the dish for a longer period of time, you need to cook the kiwifruit before using it.

Why are uncooked kiwifruit and milk products incompatible?

Kiwifruit contains a special enzyme called actinidin, which splits and dissolves protein. If you add kiwifruit to products rich in protein, it begins to break the protein down, which explains why your kiwifruit milkshake starts to curdle if you leave it too long.
On the other hand, the protein-dissolving actinidin enzyme also makes kiwifruit a natural meat tenderiser. Simply peel and mash a kiwifruit and spread the pulp on a tough cut of meat. Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes; then, lightly scrape the kiwifruit off the meat, discarding the kiwifruit. The meat becomes wonderfully soft, ready for immediate frying, barbecuing or roasting.

When does kiwifruit taste best?

It’s best to buy Zespri Green Kiwifruit when they are still firm, and then leave the fruit to ripen for a while. Store ripened kiwifruit in the fridge, as they taste best when chilled.

When is kiwifruit really ripe?

Gently press the fruit. If it gives a little, it is ripe and at its best. The Zespri Gold Kiwifruit is usually soft and ready to eat when you buy it.