Every winter, we fill the basket with kiwis to treat the family. But often, we find them a few days later, either hard as stones, or very soft at the bottom of the fridge.
To limit this waste, a large fruit and vegetable brand has detailed some simple storage rules. Its secret: adapt the storage location to the stage of maturity of the fruit.
On its site, Grand Frais points out that kiwifruit continues to ripen after harvest. By cross-referencing this advice with that of Interfel and the Ministry of Agriculture, we obtain a road map: when to leave kiwis at room temperature, when to put them in the refrigerator and how long to keep them without losing a single one.
The Grand Frais rules for properly storing kiwis
Grand Frais explains that kiwis that are already soft under the finger will keep for about a week in a cool room. And even up to two weeks in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. The Ministry of Agriculture suggests two to three weeks in the cold for firm fruit. Interfel mentions three to four weeks of shelf life for a “young kiwi” placed in a cool place upon purchase.
These figures do not contradict each other: they describe different stages. A firm kiwi can last several weeks in the fridge. But Interfel specifies that ripe fruit must be eaten within seven days, even in a cool place. Grand Frais also insists on a simple point: avoid heat and shock, which damage the skin and accelerate mold.
Adapt the storage of kiwis to their firmness
For a kiwi that is still hard, store it in the vegetable drawer if you want to keep it for a long time, or in a compote bowl at room temperature if the goal is to ripen it by the end of the week. Interfel advises grouping them in a paper bag, as with avocados, so that gentle heat and a little humidity accelerate ripening.
If the fruit becomes soft but still firm in the center, it’s a good time to put it in the refrigerator and allow it to ripen for a few days.
For a dessert planned for the next day, Grand Frais recommends leaving the kiwis out in the open with an apple or banana on the side. These fruits release ethylene, a gas that makes neighboring kiwis ripen more quickly.
Mistakes to avoid to keep kiwis tasty
The Ministry of Agriculture indicates that kiwi tends to absorb odors from the refrigerator. It is better to keep it away from cheese or strong dishes, otherwise you will end up with a fruit with a strange scent.
Finally, store the kiwis in a box or in the closed vegetable drawer, to preserve their aroma after several days in the cold.