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Kiwifruit (also known as Chinese gooseberries, or "kiwi" for short) is a versatile fruit often used in salads, dressings, marinades, pavlovas, and as a fruit topping for ice cream. The enzymes in kiwifruit also make it an excellent tenderizer for meat. [1]

The delicate flesh of the kiwifruit requires careful peeling to avoid damaging the fruit by gouging or splitting. Removing the skin with a knife or vegetable peeler is a common method, as is scooping out the flesh with a spoon. You can even blanch a kiwifruit to remove the skin. Here are three methods for peeling a kiwifruit.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Serrated Knife or Vegetable Peeler

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  1. Use your dominant hand to hold the peeler or knife.
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  2. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
    You may need to make a small nick in the skin to get a hold.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
    Use a sawing motion to peel from the bottom to the top of the kiwifruit - peeling away from your hand to avoid accidentally cutting yourself. Peel gently – don't cut deeply or you'll remove too much of the flesh of the fruit.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Peeling kiwifruit with a spoon

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
    The back of the spoon should rest against the inside of the skin.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
    Apply a small amount of pressure against the skin and gently turn the kiwifruit with your other hand, scooping the flesh away from the skin. When the spoon gets back to the starting point, the kiwifruit should pop out of the skin.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Removing the Skin

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  1. Bring the water to a rolling boil .
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
    Drop the whole kiwifruit into the boiling water and blanch it for 20 to 30 seconds.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Peel a Kiwi
    When it's cool to the touch, you should be able to peel the skin off with your fingers.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If I blanch the kiwi in the boiling water, will it taste different?
    Community Answer
    No, it won't taste much different, but it will change the texture pretty drastically.
  • Question
    Are kiwis a good fruit for weight loss?
    Community Answer
    Kiwis are low in calories, so they can be a good snack choice if you're trying to lose weight.
  • Question
    What constitutes a portion of blueberries?
    Community Answer
    1/2 a cup. If you weigh your food to determine serving size, a 1/2-cup serving of fresh blueberries equals approximately 75 grams or 2.6 ounces.
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      Tips

      • Originally from China, kiwifruit is grown in large quantities in New Zealand, Australia, South America, and parts of Europe. [2]
      • If you need to ripen a kiwifruit, you can leave it out at room temperature for a few days. To speed up the process, place it in a brown paper bag with a banana, apple, or pear. The ethylene gas these fruits emit helps the kiwifruit ripen faster.
      • There is a quick and simple way to peel kiwifruit with a teaspoon. This method works best with fruit that is ripe but not too soft. First, cut off both ends of a kiwi. Then slip a teaspoon just under the skin, matching the spoon’s curve to the curve of the fruit. Now slide the spoon around the kiwi to separate the fruit from the skin, being careful not to dig the spoon into the flesh. Once the spoon has been completely run around the fruit, it will easily slip out of the skin in one smooth piece!
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      Warnings

      • Don't boil a kiwifruit that is overripe. The flesh is too soft, and you'll end up with nothing but mushy pulp. If this does happen, make kiwi jam or relish!
      • The enzymes in kiwifruit will cause gelatine and aspic to not set; kiwifruit also curdles milk, making it an undesirable addition to homemade ice cream. [3]
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      Things You'll Need

      • Kiwifruit
      • Serrated knife
      • Serrated vegetable peeler (optional)
      • Spoon
      • Pot

      References

      1. Christine Ingram, Cooking Ingredients , p. 390, (2005), ISBN 1-84477-441-4
      2. Christine Ingram, Cooking Ingredients , p. 390, (2005), ISBN 1-84477-441-4
      3. Christine Ingram, Cooking Ingredients , p. 390, (2005), ISBN 1-84477-441-4

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To peel a kiwi, start by holding it in your non-dominant hand. Then, grab a knife with your other hand and place the blade at the top of the kiwi. Using a sawing motion, peel a section of the skin off the kiwi, going from the top of the kiwi to the bottom. Repeat around the entire kiwi until all of the skin is off! To learn how to peel a kiwi using a spoon, keep reading the article!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Patrick M.

        Jul 20, 2016

        "This is our first time at peeling and eating a kiwi! Gave myself and my children wonderful and fun ideas about the ..." more
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