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How to Tell if a Kiwi Is Ripe Download Article An easy guide to test if your kiwi’s ready to eat 8 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur
Last Updated: February 28, 2025
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Inspecting the Surface
|
Feeling and Testing the Fruit
|
Helping an Unripe Kiwi Ripen
|
Video
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Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 125,186 times.
A kiwi is plump fruit that has green flesh and a sweet taste. To figure out if one is ripe, you can first assess its surface, looking for a brown color and plump shape. Then you should feel it and smell it, making sure it is slightly soft and smells sweet and fruity. If all the signs are right, you have a ripe kiwi on your hands.
Best Way to Know if Kiwi is Ripe
Inspect the kiwi for brown skin, a plump shape, and a distinctive smell. Then, squeeze it gently. If it’s ripe, the flesh should feel soft but firm with a little give as you press into it. If you’re still unsure, cut open the fruit and do a taste test. Speed ripening by leaving the kiwi out on your counter.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Inspecting the Surface
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1 Look for an entirely brown skin. A ripe kiwi will have brown skin, including the fuzz on the surface and the skin underneath. If the fruit is totally green or you can see green under the fuzzy surface, then the kiwi is not yet ripe.
This should not be the only factor that you test on a kiwi to determine if it's ripe. It is only a first step to determine if the fruit is anywhere near ripe.
2 Look for a plump shape. A ripe kiwi is typically plump and bulbous, with a full and round shape. However, if the surface looks hard and firm instead of plump, then the kiwi is probably not ripe yet.
A surface that is wrinkled and is not smooth usually occurs when a kiwi is overripe and has dried out.
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3 Smell the kiwi. Put your nose close the spot where the kiwi was attached to the vine and smell for a slightly sweet and fruity scent. A ripe kiwi has this distinctive smell, while an unripe kiwi doesn't really have a smell at all.
4 Look for an undamaged and unblemished surface. When assessing whether a kiwi is ripe it's best to pick one to look at that has a pristine surface. This will help ensure that the kiwi you are looking at is not damaged, as soft spots can trick you into thinking the fruit is ripe when it's not.
Severe blemishes and brown spots occur on both overripe kiwis and kiwis that have been dropped or otherwise damaged.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Feeling and Testing the Fruit
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1 Squeeze the kiwi gently. Pressing on the fruit with your thumb, feel for a soft but firm texture. The flesh should give slightly when you press on it if it is ripe.
If you squeeze the fruit and it is very hard, the fruit is not ripe.
If you lightly squeeze a kiwi and it feels very soft or mushy, it is overripe.
2 Inspect the inside of the fruit. If you suspect a kiwi is ripe but you're not quite sure, it is best to cut it open and inspect the flesh. The seeds of a ripe kiwi will all be black and the flesh of a ripe kiwi will have a bright green color if it is a green kiwi and bright yellow flesh if it is a golden kiwi.[1]XResearch source
If your kiwi is not ripe, the seeds may be green or yellow and the flesh will not be as brightly colored.
3 Do a taste test. The definitive way to know if a kiwi is ripe is to taste it. Remove the thin skin, with a peeler, a knife, or by scraping it off with a spoon, and then cut off a slice of the fruit. The flesh should be soft and squishy and the flavor should be sweet.
An under ripe kiwi will not be sweet and will be firm instead of soft.
While you can eat the skin of a kiwi, many consider it unpleasant due to its fuzzy texture.[2]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Helping an Unripe Kiwi Ripen
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1 Let the kiwi ripen on your counter. If you don't need to eat an unripe kiwi right away, simply let it sit on the counter and ripen naturally. It will gradually ripen over the course of several days, depending on the temperature and how ripe it was to begin with.
The warmer the room is, the quicker the kiwi will ripen.[3]XResearch source
Check the kiwi daily for ripeness. Eat it right away once you think it is ripe.
2 Put your kiwi in a bag with other fruit. If you need your kiwi to ripen within a day or 2, put them in a paper or vented plastic bag with an apple or banana. Putting them together exposes the kiwi to more ethylene gas, which is given off by fruit and causes them to ripen.[4]XResearch source
3 Keep unripe kiwi in the fridge until you want to ripen them. Kiwi can be stored in your fridge for weeks, and sometimes months, if they are not yet ripe. Preserving them this way will allow you to ripen a few at a time, so you can eat them gradually.[5]XResearch source
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Question Is it unsafe to eat an unripe Kiwi? Community Answer No, but it will be more acidic and have a more bitter taste, and may disagree with your digestion. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 16
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Co-authored by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 125,186 times. 8 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10Updated: February 28, 2025 Views: 125,186 Categories: Featured Articles | Fruits and VegetablesArticle SummaryX
To check the ripeness of the kiwi, look for an outer skin that’s unblemished and completely light brown all over, including the fuzz. The kiwi should also be plump and firm, but you should feel a slight give when you squeeze it. A kiwi that’s mushy or wrinkled is overripe. Give the stem end of the kiwi a sniff. If it smells sweet and fruity, that’s a good sign. An underripe kiwi may have no smell at all. If you’re still in doubt, cut the kiwi open. Look for bright green flesh and black seeds. Some kiwi varieties may have bright yellow flesh instead. Ripe kiwi flesh will also be soft and sweet. For more tips, including how to help ripen a kiwi, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Henrietta F.
Jul 20, 2023
"I love Kiwi, but was never sure about when to eat it. This article cleared up a lot of questions for me. Especially how to clean them and test for ripeness. Thanks."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef Co-authors: 10Updated: February 28, 2025 Views: 125,186100% of voters found this recipe helpful. 8 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Henrietta F.
Jul 20, 2023
"I love Kiwi, but was never sure about when to eat it. This article cleared up a lot of questions for me. Especially how to clean them and test for ripeness. Thanks."..." more Share yours!
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Download Article An easy guide to test if your kiwi’s ready to eat 8 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur 
How toEat a Kiwi 
6 Simple Ways to Tell If Passion Fruit is Ripe 
How toTell if an Avocado is Bad 
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Co-authored by: Jennifer Levasseur Personal Chef This article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 125,186 times. 8 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: February 28, 2025 Views: 125,186 Categories: Featured Articles | Fruits and Vegetables Article SummaryX
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1 Look for an entirely brown skin. A ripe kiwi will have brown skin, including the fuzz on the surface and the skin underneath. If the fruit is totally green or you can see green under the fuzzy surface, then the kiwi is not yet ripe. 
2 Look for a plump shape. A ripe kiwi is typically plump and bulbous, with a full and round shape. However, if the surface looks hard and firm instead of plump, then the kiwi is probably not ripe yet. 
3 Smell the kiwi. Put your nose close the spot where the kiwi was attached to the vine and smell for a slightly sweet and fruity scent. A ripe kiwi has this distinctive smell, while an unripe kiwi doesn't really have a smell at all. 
4 Look for an undamaged and unblemished surface. When assessing whether a kiwi is ripe it's best to pick one to look at that has a pristine surface. This will help ensure that the kiwi you are looking at is not damaged, as soft spots can trick you into thinking the fruit is ripe when it's not. 
1 Squeeze the kiwi gently. Pressing on the fruit with your thumb, feel for a soft but firm texture. The flesh should give slightly when you press on it if it is ripe. 
2 Inspect the inside of the fruit. If you suspect a kiwi is ripe but you're not quite sure, it is best to cut it open and inspect the flesh. The seeds of a ripe kiwi will all be black and the flesh of a ripe kiwi will have a bright green color if it is a green kiwi and bright yellow flesh if it is a golden kiwi.[1] 
3 Do a taste test. The definitive way to know if a kiwi is ripe is to taste it. Remove the thin skin, with a peeler, a knife, or by scraping it off with a spoon, and then cut off a slice of the fruit. The flesh should be soft and squishy and the flavor should be sweet. 
1 Let the kiwi ripen on your counter. If you don't need to eat an unripe kiwi right away, simply let it sit on the counter and ripen naturally. It will gradually ripen over the course of several days, depending on the temperature and how ripe it was to begin with. 
2 Put your kiwi in a bag with other fruit. If you need your kiwi to ripen within a day or 2, put them in a paper or vented plastic bag with an apple or banana. Putting them together exposes the kiwi to more ethylene gas, which is given off by fruit and causes them to ripen.[4] 
3 Keep unripe kiwi in the fridge until you want to ripen them. Kiwi can be stored in your fridge for weeks, and sometimes months, if they are not yet ripe. Preserving them this way will allow you to ripen a few at a time, so you can eat them gradually.[5] Advertisement 
Community Answer No, but it will be more acidic and have a more bitter taste, and may disagree with your digestion. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 16 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.