How to Tell If a Kiwi Is Ripe in 3 Easy Steps

Kiwis, also known as kiwifruits, are a mysterious fruit. Why do they have brown furry skin? What part of the kiwi is edible? How do you know when they’re ripe? Plus, many people wonder whether kiwis are sweet or sour. With so much mystery surrounding these balls of nutrients and flavor, it’s time to set the record straight.

First of all, kiwis aren’t tropical fruits. They’re native to the subtropical regions of China, so they also go by the name Chinese gooseberry. And yes, that makes them part of the berry family. At peak ripeness, kiwis are sweet and refreshing, with a taste often likened to pineapple, strawberry, and banana. They’re sweet, slightly acidic, and a little tangy, so they add a punch of flavor to smoothies and fruit salad. The entire kiwi is edible—including the skin, flesh, and seeds—so you can bite into the whole thing, or peel and cut it.

Unripe kiwi has a tartness to it, so if you eat it too soon, it could remind you of citrus fruit. It can be tricky to tell if kiwi is ripe, so here’s the secret to picking kiwi at peak ripeness.

How to Tell If a Kiwi Is Ripe

Fruit has the most nutrients and best flavor when it’s perfectly ripe, but it can be difficult to get the timing just right (looking at you, avocado). Here are the signs of a ripe kiwi:

1. Ripe kiwis are brown and plump
   Both ripe and unripe kiwis are brown, and the skin doesn’t change color as the fruit ripens, so relying on their appearance isn’t a huge help. Still, choose a kiwi that’s round, plump, and bulbous over one that’s misshapen.
2. Ripe kiwis smell sweet
   Ever see someone smelling produce at the grocery store? It might look strange, but there’s a rhyme to this reason. Ripe kiwi has a pleasant, sweet smell, while unripe kiwi doesn’t smell like much. So, give it a whiff and trust your sniffer.
3. Ripe kiwis are soft
   Feeling kiwis is the best way to tell if they’re ripe or not. Channel your inner Goldilocks when feeling around for a ripe kiwi—it shouldn’t be too hard, but it also shouldn’t feel too soft. Give it a gentle squeeze and press with your thumb to check for a slight give. Unripe kiwis will feel hard, and overripe kiwis will feel soft and mushy. You want a nice balance of soft and firm.
   

6 Ways to Use Ripe Kiwis

Don’t let ripe kiwis go to waste. Sweet and delicious, ripe kiwis are the perfect addition to fruit salad, sorbet, smoothies, parfaits, and even baked goods. You can also use them as toppings on smoothie bowls, salads, and oats. Here are some recipe ideas to put them to good use.

Kiwi-Cucumber Relish

With its vibrant green color, this looks like ordinary relish, but looks can be deceiving. Instead of pickles, this recipe calls for sweet kiwi and refreshing cucumber. Processed with jalapeño, this sweet and spicy relish will add a little heat to your burgers and hot dogs.

Tropical Fruit Salad

A fruit salad is a great way to use up ripe fruit while tasting the rainbow. Combine pineapple, papaya, and mango cubes with kiwis cut into cute half moons, and toss with sugar, lime juice, and salt. Serve on a platter with yogurt and top with coconut shavings for an irresistible snack or side dish.

Raspberry Smoothie Bowl

Kiwis make for an excellent topping on smoothie bowls, parfaits, oatmeal, muesli, and more, and this smoothie bowl recipe is a great example. The taste of kiwi is often compared to berries and bananas, which are the base of this dish.

Sheet Pan Pavlova With Berries and Mangoes

This sheet pan pavlova is filled with vibrant colors from the berries and mangoes, but it could use more green, so let’s add kiwi to the mix. You’ll spend a little time whipping up a meringue-based cream, which is the perfect touch for this fruity spread.

Kale Smoothie With Pineapple and Banana

One way to eat ripe kiwi is to drink it. Blend it with your favorite fruit, leafy greens, and milk of choice for an easy but refreshing breakfast or snack. This green smoothie recipe calls for pineapple and banana, which pair well with kiwi. With all that fruit and a splash of coconut milk, you won’t even taste the kale!

Lemon Curd and Berry Parfaits

Visually stunning, easy to make, and delicious to boot—why wouldn’t you make this parfait? It consists of layers of homemade granola, yogurt, lemon curd, and berries. Swap out the berries for kiwi, or simply add kiwi for extra goodness.