Can You Cut Kiwis In Advance? [8 Tips to Store Kiwis]

Cut kiwi on a table

Like many exotic fruits, kiwis have a long shelf-life.

They hold up for several days at room temperature and many weeks in the refrigerator.

However, their shelf-life reduces once you cut them.

So, can you cut kiwis ahead of time?

Cutting Kiwis in Advance

Yes, you can cut kiwi ahead of time. However, they taste best when fresh. Cut kiwis lose their sweetness and turn mushy when stored at room temperature for too long. They hold up better in the refrigerator. So, you should promptly refrigerate kiwi slices to extend their lifespan. When stored properly, refrigerated kiwis hold up for three to four days.

How to Store Kiwis to Extend Their Shelf-Life?

Kiwis have a lot of moisture. However, proper storage is essential to retain their natural flavor for much longer.

Now, the best way to store kiwis depends on how ripe they are and whether they are whole or sliced.

So let’s look at the various ways to store kiwis properly.

1. Store Unripe Kiwis Outside

You can determine if a kiwi is ripe or not by pressing the skin gently.

When you press your thumb against the fruit, a ripe kiwi will feel soft. It will also have a sweet, fruity smell.

If it’s unripe, the flesh will be hard and unyielding.

However, if it’s over-ripe, it will be mushy and yield to your touch. Over-ripe kiwis will also let off an acidic odor.

You can store unripe kiwis on the countertop for several days.

Depending on the weather and ambient conditions, they may take a week or less to ripen.

You can leave them in a dry place to let them ripen.

However, if you store them with ethylene-producing fruits like bananas, they will ripen faster.

2. Store Ripe Kiwis on The Countertop for Two to Three Days

If your kiwis are just ripe and you are planning to use them on the same day, then leave them out on the countertop.

Fresh kiwis will hold up for up to two days without turning mushy.

However, the longer you leave them out, they will continue to ripen.

Over time, the strong citrusy flavors and sweetness of the fruit will reduce.

So we recommend consuming them quickly.

If you wish to store them for much longer, it’s better to place them in the refrigerator.

Related: Shucking Corn Ahead of Time | Can You Cut Squash Ahead of Time?

3. Store Whole Unripe Kiwis in The Refrigerator

The best way to store unripe kiwis is on the countertop.

They will naturally ripen within a week and be deliciously juicy.

However, if you want to extend their ripening process, store them in the refrigerator.

Firm and unripe kiwis will last for up to a month in the refrigerator.

The cold environment will slow down the ripening process.

So it will take longer for the kiwis to become edible.

However, once they ripen, it’s best to consume them within a week.

The sweetness will fade gradually, and they may not taste good if you wait for too long.

4. Store Whole Ripe Kiwis in The Refrigerator

If you brought home ripe kiwis or the ones you have are already ripe, you can refrigerate them to extend their lifespan.

Whole, ripe kiwis will last for a whole week in the refrigerator.

Nevertheless, place them away from other fruits and vegetables to slow down spoilage.

If they are in contact with other fruits and vegetables, they will spoil faster.

When storing whole ripe kiwis in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight plastic bag.

This will prevent contact with other items in your refrigerator.

5. Refrigerate Cut Kiwi Slices

Kiwi slices

Whole fruits, whether ripe or unripe, hold up for much longer than cut fruits.

Once you cut kiwis, the flesh is exposed to air and sunlight.

Contact with environmental agents speeds up the spoiling process.

So, the quality and flavor of the fruit deteriorate rapidly.

We don’t recommend leaving cut kiwis at room temperature since they quickly lose their fresh flavor.

The texture also changes, and they end up becoming mushy the longer you leave them out.

The best way to store sliced kiwi is in the refrigerator.

Place the cut slices in an airtight cover or box to prevent contact with moisture, heat, and air.

This will slow down the rate at which they spoil.

Cut kiwis don’t hold up as long as whole kiwis, even in the refrigerator.

So use them within two days when they are still crisp and juicy.

The longer you wait, the more they lose their sweetness and become soft.

They will also lose their fresh juicy scent and emit an acidic odor.

6. Freeze Cut Kiwis Slices for Long-Term Storage

Storing kiwis in the freezer is the best option for long-term storage.

You can use the frozen slices in smoothies and desserts.

You can also thaw them and eat them raw. Another use of frozen kiwi is to tenderize meat.

To freeze kiwis, choose fruits that are fully ripe. Remove the peel and slice the fruits.

Lay the slices on a baking tray lined with parchment or baking paper.

Promptly place them in the freezer and let the slices harden.

Then, remove them from the tray and pack them into freezer-safe bags or airtight containers.

These frozen slices will last for several months.

You can thaw them on the countertop or overnight in the refrigerator and use them as usual.

When thawed, frozen kiwi slices will not be crisp like fresh kiwis. They will always be soft and mushy.

The flavors will not change much, but the texture will be drastically different.

So you may not like to eat them raw. Frozen kiwis are best used for cooking or in smoothies and desserts.

7. Dry Kiwis for Long-Term Use

Another way to make kiwis usable for much longer is to dry them. Choose soft and ripe kiwis for drying.

Peel the fruits and slice them thinly. You can cook them in sugar syrup for added flavor. However, this step is optional.

Spread the slices on a dryer sheet and leave them out to dry till they lose their moisture and are rubbery.

Dried kiwis may not be suitable for cooking, but you can enjoy them as a snack.

Related: Making and Freezing Corn Casserole in Advance | Peeling Sweet Potatoes in Advance

8. Crush and Freeze Kiwis

Instead of slicing and storing kiwis in the freezer, you can store them in a crushed form.

The process is simple, and the kiwi remains usable for several months.

Peel the kiwis and crush them in a large bowl. Use sugar for added flavor. It will also help to preserve the kiwis.

Mix it thoroughly and let it stand for a few minutes.

Cover the fruit with a boiled mixture of hot water and pectin. Stir the contents well.

Transfer the crushed kiwi into jars, leaving enough space on the top for the liquid to expand during freezing.

Cover the jars with their lids and place them in the freezer.

When you wish to use the crushed kiwi, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw completely.

It will thaw in just a few hours on the countertop.

However, it’s better to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

This will ensure even thawing, and there will be no frozen bits.

You can use crushed kiwi in desserts, smoothies, and a variety of other ways.

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *