How To Ripen Kiwi Fruit: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How Do You Ripen a Kiwi Fruit? (+ How to Tell If They’re Ready to Eat) Download Article Expert tips on how to eat, store, freeze, and ripen juicy kiwis Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: December 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Ripening a Kiwi
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• How to Tell If a Kiwi Is Ripe
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• Storing Kiwis
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This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 515,281 times.

Kiwi fruits are sweet, tangy, juicy, and slightly soft when they’re perfectly ripe. But if you picked some hard kiwi fruits at the store or from your own tree, you might be wondering what you can do to get them to ripen at home. Luckily, kiwi fruits continue to soften and sweeten up when you simply leave them on your counter at room temperature! In this article, we’ll go over how to ripen kiwi fruits, how to tell if they’re ripe, and how to store them in the fridge or freezer so they last for longer, all with the help of personal chef Markeicha Dulaney and the culinary experts at Marrow Private Chefs. Keep reading to find out more!

What is the fastest way to ripen kiwi fruits?

Place unripe kiwi fruits in a paper bag with a banana or apple. These fruits produce ethylene gas, which tells the kiwis to ripen. Simply leave the bag on your kitchen counter at room temperature, keeping it away from light or heat. Most firm kiwi fruits will ripen in 1 to 2 days.

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

Ripening Kiwi Fruits

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1. 1 Set the kiwis you want to ripen on the counter at room temperature. Kiwi fruit continues to ripen after it’s picked—if you bought some firm, unripe fruits, they’ll soften and sweeten up at home. Just place the kiwis in a bowl on your countertop and keep them away from direct sunlight and heat, as this can cause them to rot quickly or get discolored.[1]
   • How long does it take the kiwis to ripen? Most firm kiwi fruits will ripen on the counter in 3 to 5 days if stored at room temperature.
   • Most kiwi fruits that you find in the grocery store, like the green and golden flesh varieties, ripen perfectly fine off the vine.
   • If you're growing your own kiwi fruit plant, check the variety you have to determine whether you should leave your fruit on the vine until it's ripe or harvest it while it's hard.
2. 2 To speed up ripening, place the kiwis in a paper bag with a banana or apple. The quickest way to ripen a firm kiwi fruit is to store it near fruits that produce ethylene gas, like bananas, apples, and pears. This exposes the kiwis to more ethylene, which tells them to ripen faster. Simply place the kiwis in a paper bag with the other fruits and keep them on your counter at room temperature.[2]
   • How long does it take the kiwis to ripen? Most firm kiwi fruits will ripen in 1 to 2 days when kept in a paper bag with a banana or other fruit that produces ethylene gas.[3]
   • Keep the bag out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, as this can cause the fruits to rot quickly.
   • Do not place the kiwi in a plastic bag. This can reduce air flow and trap moisture, causing the fruits to rot and grow mold.
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Section 2 of 6:

How to Tell If Kiwi Fruits Are Ripe

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1. 1 Press the kiwi fruit lightly to see if it has a little give. According to Dulaney, the best way to tell if a kiwi fruit is ripe is to give it a gentle squeeze with your thumb. If the kiwi is mostly firm with a little give and softness, it’s perfectly ripe.[4]
   • Avoid kiwi fruits that are very soft or mushy, advises Marrow Private Chefs, as this is a sign that they’re overripe and will go bad quickly.[5]
   • Remember, if you pick a kiwi that’s very firm and unripe, it’ll soften and sweeten up if you leave it on your counter at room temperature.
2. 2 Smell the kiwi for a sweet, fruity scent. When kiwi fruits ripen, they have a noticeable and pleasant fruity smell. If the scent is very faint or nonexistent, the fruit is probably unripe. And if the kiwis smell fermented, sickly sweet, or slightly sour, they’re most likely overripe and starting to rot.[6]
3. 3 Make sure the outside of the kiwi fruit is unblemished. Look for a kiwi fruit that doesn't have any dark spots, bruises, mushy areas, or tears in the skin. The fruit should be plump and round without any wrinkles, flat spots, or sunken areas.[7]
   • Most kiwi fruit varieties that you find in the store have brown, fuzzy skin. However, there are some varieties that have red or green skin.
4. 4 Check that the seeds are black. If you have a lot of fruit to spare, cut a kiwi open and look at the seeds. A kiwi is unlikely to ripen if its seeds are still green or yellow—the seeds must be black. Black seeds indicate the kiwi has enough sugar to ripen properly.[8]
5. 5 Eat the ripe kiwis within 1 to 2 days. Make sure to eat the kiwi fruit when they're at their peak ripeness, or within about 1 to 2 days when left on your counter. Because kiwis continue to ripen at room temperature, they can get overripe and start to rot quickly.
   • Enjoy your kiwi fruits plain as a tasty snack. Or, add them to fruit salads and smoothies. You can even make kiwi jam!
   • If you’re not ready to eat your ripe kiwis, don’t worry—we’ll cover how to store them in the fridge to preserve them for longer!
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Section 3 of 6:

Storing Kiwi Fruits

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1. 1 Keep unripe kiwi fruits in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. If you have some hard kiwi fruits that you’re not ready to ripen yet, simply keep them in your fridge. The cool temperatures slow down the ripening process, so the fruits will stay good for about 1 month. Just place the kiwis in your crisper drawer away from fruits that produce ethylene gas, like apples and pears.[9]
   • Storing the kiwis near fruits that produce ethylene gas can cause them to ripen quicker, so they won’t keep as long in your fridge.
2. 2 Store whole ripe kiwi fruit in the fridge for 5 to 10 days. If the kiwi fruits are ripe but you’re not ready to eat them yet, simply stick them in your fridge’s crisper drawer. They’ll keep well for about 5 to 10 days. Just keep them away from apples, pears, and other fruits that produce ethylene gas so they don’t get overripe quickly.[10]
   • Feel free to store the kiwi fruits loosely or place them in a plastic bag. Keeping them in a bag might help extend their freshness by reducing dehydration.
3. 3 Keep cut kiwi fruit in an airtight container for 2 to 7 days. If you have some leftover kiwi after cutting it, simply place the pieces in a glass or plastic storage container. Then, set the container in your fridge’s crisper drawer. The fruit will keep well for about 2 to 7 days.[11]
   • If the kiwi fruit starts to look mushy and smells off or acidic, it’s probably gone bad, so compost it or throw it away.
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Section 4 of 6:

Freezing Kiwi Fruits

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1. 1 Freeze kiwi fruit slices for up to 1 year. If you have extra kiwi fruits on hand that you aren’t planning on eating right away, slice them up and freeze them. Frozen kiwi slices make great garnishes in drinks or additions to smoothies and other healthy treats. Or, let the slices thaw in the fridge overnight and enjoy them as a snack.[12]
   • Remove the skin from the kiwis and cut them into slices or chunks.
   • Sprinkle sugar on the slices to keep them firm and flavorful (optional).
   • Put the slices on a lined baking sheet and slide the sheet into the freezer.
   • Let the slices freeze for 1 to 2 hours.
   • Transfer the frozen kiwi slices into plastic freezer bags.
   • Write the date on the bag and store the slices in the freezer for up to 1 year.
   • Note: You can freeze kiwi fruits when they’re ripe or unripe. Just know that unripe kiwis usually taste less sweet and more sour than ripe fruits.
2. 2 Freeze whole kiwi fruit for up to 1 year. If you don’t want to spend time chopping up kiwi fruits, you can freeze them whole, too. Simply place whole kiwi fruits in a plastic freezer bag, write the date on the bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 1 year.[13]
   • It can be difficult to peel the skin from frozen kiwi fruits, so consider removing it before you freeze the kiwis.
   • Add whole frozen kiwi fruits to smoothies, sorbets, and popsicles. Just know that they might take longer to blend up than sliced kiwi.
   • If you want to thaw the frozen kiwi fruits, simply place them in your fridge overnight.
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Section 5 of 6:

How to Ripen Other Delicious Fruits

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1. Got some other fruits that could use some ripening? Check out our other guides below on how to ripen delicious fruits like pears, plums, mangos, and more:
   • How to Ripen Pears
   • How to Ripen Plums
   • How to Ripen Mangos
   • How to Ripen Cantalope
   • How to Ripen Peaches
   • How to Ripen Bananas
   • How to Ripen Passion Fruit
   • How to Ripen Plantains

Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 1 Why won’t my kiwi fruit ripen? Kiwi fruits ripen more slowly when they’re kept in the refrigerator. So, make sure you’re storing it at room temperature to help it ripen faster. If the kiwi still isn’t ripening, it’s possible that it was picked while it was still immature.
2. 2 What parts of a kiwi are you able to eat safely? According to Marrow Private Chefs, it is safe to eat the entire kiwi, including the skin. Just make sure to scrub the skin under running water first. Marrow Private Chefs say lots of people don’t find the skin enjoyable to eat, so it’s more common to peel it before you eat the kiwi fruit.[14]
   • The skin of the kiwi fruit is very healthy, too. It’s full of fiber, antioxidants, and folate.[15]
3. 3 Can you ripen kiwi fruit in the microwave? No, you can’t ripen a kiwi fruit in the microwave. The microwave may make the fruit softer (and warm), but it won’t get any sweeter. The best way to ripen a kiwi fruit is to leave it on your counter at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
4. 4 Can you eat an unripe kiwi fruit? Yes, you can eat unripe kiwi fruits, though it’s not usually recommended. Unripe fruits can taste very tart or sour and are incredibly firm, so they’re not typically pleasant to eat. Additionally, some people may experience mouth irritation and digestive discomfort from the higher acidity.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question What parts of a kiwi am I able to safely eat? Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Expert Answer You can safely eat the whole thing, but the skin isn’t particularly enjoyable, so it is common to peel it before eating. 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 1 Helpful 8
• Question Are hard kiwi fruit sour? Community Answer Yes, they are. 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 4 Helpful 32
• Question Can I eat the skin of a kiwi? Community Answer Yes, the whole thing is edible. 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 6 Helpful 34

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Tips

• Kiwi fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, and copper. Kiwi fruits have few calories, are high in fiber, and contain no fat or sodium.[16] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Kiwis must be exposed to ethylene gas after they’re picked to start the initial ripening. If the growers and shippers don't begin to ripen the fruit, the starches aren't converted to sugars quickly enough, and the fruit shrivels. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about preparing food, check out our in-depth interview with Marrow Private Chefs.

• [17]

References

1. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
2. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
3. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/food/preservation/preserving-kiwifruit
4. ↑ Markeicha Dulaney. Personal Chef. Expert Interview
5. ↑ Marrow Private Chefs. Private Chefs. Expert Interview
6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/how-to-tell-if-kiwi-is-ripe-8363112
7. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
8. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9322-growing-kiwifruit-your-home-garden
9. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/how-to-store-kiwi-8364272

More References (8)

10. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
11. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to/cook/how-to-cut-a-kiwi
12. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/food/preservation/preserving-kiwifruit
13. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/food/preservation/preserving-kiwifruit
14. ↑ Marrow Private Chefs. Private Chefs. Expert Interview
15. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-eat-kiwi-skin
16. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/kiwi-benefits
17. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/images/sp50832.pdf

About This Article

Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 515,281 times. 5 votes - 60% Co-authors: 19 Updated: December 6, 2025 Views: 515,281 Categories: Food Preparation Article SummaryX

To ripen kiwi fruit, start by making sure you buy kiwis that are unblemished and firm to the touch for best results. Then, place the kiwi fruit in a bowl on a countertop and wait 3-5 days for them to ripen. To speed up ripening, place the kiwi fruit next to an apple, banana, or pear, which will expose them to ethylene. To check if your kiwi fruit are ripe, press your thumb against one to see if it gives under the pressure. When they're ripe, eat them quickly so they don't rot. For advice on storing kiwi fruit in the fridge and freezer, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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  Elsa MacDonald

  May 23, 2017

  "I kept wondering why local grocers were selling the kiwis so green. I figured I would look up how to ripen them...." more

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts 5 votes - 60% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 19 Updated: December 6, 2025 Views: 515,281

Elsa MacDonald

May 23, 2017

"I kept wondering why local grocers were selling the kiwis so green. I figured I would look up how to ripen them...." more

Anonymous

Jun 9, 2017

"I got a great deal on 2 lbs of kiwi, but none were ripe. This helped me ripen some faster and slow some down so I..." more

Anjali Briel

Jun 2, 2016

"Thanks so much. This was a great help. I won't cut each fruit open to see if the seeds are black and thus able..." more

Anonymous

Jun 15, 2016

"I didn't know that I could put other fruit that I already had along with the kiwi to speed up the process, or..." more

Diana Elms

Sep 8, 2018

"Learned how to ripen kiwis on the vine in the UK. Didn't realize the seeds had to be black to be successful,..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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