How Do You Know If a Kiwi Is Bad? Signs of Spoilage + Storage Tips

PDF download Download Article
Spot the signs of a rotten kiwi (and learn to ripen one properly)
PDF download Download Article

With their fuzzy brown skin and sweet, green pulp, kiwis are delicious in salads, breakfast smoothies, or just on their own. But how do you know if a kiwi is perfectly fresh or spoiled? In this article, we’ll teach you how to tell if a kiwi has gone bad based on how it looks, feels, and smells. Plus, we’ve even provided tips on how to ripen and keep kiwis fresh longer.

How to Know a Kiwi Is Rotten

  • Dry skin: A kiwi with shriveled skin has likely gone bad.
  • Green, brown, or white mold: A kiwi with spots or patches of mold is definitely rotten.
  • Mushy texture: A kiwi that’s very soft or squishy is likely overripe and spoiled.
  • Sour smell: A kiwi that doesn’t have a sweet, citrusy scent is most likely bad.
Section 1 of 4:

Signs of a Bad Kiwi

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Kiwi Has Gone Bad
    Pick up the kiwi and look at it closely for patches of brown or green mold. The mold may appear fuzzy, with flecks of white on the skin or pulp of the fruit. [1]
    • There may be patches of mold all over the kiwi or on just one area. Throw away moldy kiwis rather than try to cut off the mold and eat the rest.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Kiwi Has Gone Bad
    A rotten or spoiled kiwi will likely have shriveled or cracked skin. The pulp may also look dull and dry, with little to no juice in the pulp. [2]
    • If the kiwi looks dry, throw it out.
    Advertisement
  3. A kiwi has likely gone bad if it’s wet or mushy. This mostly happens when the skin has started to spoil and can be visibly noticed and felt on the fuzzy outside.
    • If the kiwi is mushy or very squishy, toss it out.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Kiwi Has Gone Bad
    Marrow Private Chefs say that the best way to tell if a kiwi has gone bad is to squeeze it. If the kiwi is ripe and ready to eat, it’ll be firm. If the kiwi is squishy, it’s overripe and likely needs to be thrown out.
    • A ripe kiwi is firm but not rock solid. If the kiwi is very hard, try ripening it on the kitchen counter next to a banana or apple for a few days to help it soften.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Kiwi Has Gone Bad
    Kiwis that have gone bad have an off, slightly acidic smell. Smell the kiwi’s skin and pulp to determine if it has an unpleasant smell. If it does, it’s likely spoiled and should be thrown away. [3]
    • A fresh kiwi smells citrusy and light, with a touch of sweetness.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Kiwi Has Gone Bad
    Use your finger to carefully press on the pulp in the kiwi. If it is dry to the touch, the kiwi has likely gone bad. [4]
    • If the kiwi is soft to the touch and appears juicy, it might be okay to eat as long as it does not smell bad or have mold on it.
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Ripening a Kiwi Properly

PDF download Download Article
  1. In the United States, most kiwis come from Southern California and are in season from October to April. [5] Look for kiwis at your local grocery store during this time to ensure you buy the best kiwis possible. Choosing kiwis in season ensures they’re ripe and juicy.
    • Kiwis sold outside of this time frame are likely picked before they ripen and may not ripen properly when you bring them home.
  2. Leave an unripe kiwi on the counter next to bananas or apples to ripen . Bananas and apples are high in ethylene, so they accelerate the ripening of any fruits they’re close to. Try putting a kiwi and a banana together in a paper bag to speed up ripening, or simply placing the kiwi next to a banana or an apple in a fruit bowl on your counter. [6]
    • You can also leave kiwis next to tomatoes, apricots, figs, cantaloupe, avocados, pears, and peaches to help them ripen faster.
  3. Once the kiwi feels soft to the touch and smells fragrant, put it in the fridge to slow down its ripening process. If you have a ripe kiwi that’s cut in half, wrap it in plastic or foil and put it in the fridge. Cut kiwi can also be stored in an airtight plastic container in the fridge. [7]
    • Ripe kiwis usually last 5 to 10 days in the refrigerator.
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

How long do kiwis last?

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Store fresh kiwi in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 days. A kiwi is best stored at 32–35 °F (0–2 °C). Once ripe, a kiwi is best stored in the fridge away from ethylene-producing fruits, like apples, bananas, avocados, pears, and tomatoes. This helps slow the ripening process, making the fruit last longer. If stored in the refrigerator properly, kiwis can stay fresh for 5 to 10 days. [8]
    • Unripe, very firm kiwis can last up to a month in the refrigerator, but may not ripen as well.
  2. 2
    Leave kiwis at room temperature for up to a week. When left out at room temperature, kiwis can stay fresh for up to 7 days. If placed beside ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and bananas, kiwis will ripen quickly and spoil faster at room temperature. [9]
  3. 3
    Freeze kiwis for up to a year. Peel the fruit first, since it’ll be nearly impossible to do once they’re frozen (and they take a long time to thaw). Then, cut up the fruit into cubes or slices and lay them flat on a baking sheet. Place the sheet in the freezer for 3-4 hours or until all pieces are frozen through. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to one year.
    • The kiwi will taste best if you use it within 3 months, even though it’ll stay good for longer. [10]
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Can you eat kiwi skin?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Yes, you can eat kiwi skin. Believe it or not, the fuzzy brown skin of a kiwi fruit is edible! As Marrow Private Chefs explain, “You can safely eat the whole kiwi fruit, but the skin isn’t particularly enjoyable, so it is common to peel it before eating.” The skin of a kiwi may not be the most palatable, but it does have many health benefits, as it’s a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and folate. So, while you don’t have to eat the skin of a kiwi, it may be fun to try at least once! [11]
    • Always wash a kiwi before eating it. Scrubbing the skin with a kitchen towel or vegetable brush can also help remove some of the fuzziness.
    • Who shouldn’t eat kiwi skin? Doctors recommend that those who have a history of kidney stones only eat kiwi flesh, as the skin is high in oxalates and could increase the chances of getting a kidney stone.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What would an already-cut bad kiwi look like?
    Community Answer
    If you see darker green, mushier spots inside the kiwi, it's gone bad.
    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 0 Helpful 40
  • Question
    Has the kiwi gone bad if it smells alcohol?
    Allison Schick
    Top Answerer
    If a kiwi's smell is off at all, then it most likely has gone bad. I would throw it out.
    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 10
  • Question
    What does it mean if a kiwi has two small white spots, but doesn't smell bad?
    Community Answer
    It's probably a little mold. You can choose to cut that part out and eat the rest, or throw away the whole kiwi; it's up to you. If the mold is on the inside of an already-cut kiwi, it would probably be safer just to throw the kiwi away; mold can spread quickly inside the soft and wet inside of a kiwi.
    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 18 Helpful 11
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tell if Your Carrots Are Bad
      How to
      Ripen Mangoes Fast (& Tell When They’re Ripe)
      How to
      Harvest and Use Dandelion Roots
      How to
      Eat Honeysuckle
      How to
      Grow Okra
      Signs That a Potato Is Bad: Raw & Cooked
      How to
      Cook Rhubarb
      How to
      Store Fresh Lychees
      How to
      Eat Kiwi Fruit
      How to
      Buy a Good Avocado
      How to
      Cook Asparagus in the Microwave
      How to
      Eat Passionfruit
      How to
      Quickly Defrost Frozen Fruits
      Easy Ways to Tell if Your Brussel Sprouts Have Gone Bad
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

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

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/17481
      2. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-kiwi-go-bad/
      3. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/17481
      4. ↑ https://www.canitgobad.net/how-to-store-kiwi/
      5. ↑ https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/veg/kiwi/southern-california
      6. ↑ https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-kiwi-go-bad/
      7. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
      8. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
      9. ↑ https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/kiwi.asp
      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-store-kiwi-7968715
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-eat-kiwi-skin

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tell if a kiwi has gone bad, examine it for mold, dryness, or mushy spots. Look closely at the kiwi for patches of brown or green mold, which might appear fuzzy with flecks of white on the skin or pulp of the fruit. Since kiwis are so small, it’s best to throw them away rather than try to cut off the moldy part and eat the remaining fruit. Another way to tell if your kiwi is bad is to see if the skin looks shriveled or dry or if there’s little or no juice in the pulp. Alternatively, if the kiwi has patches that look wet or mushy, especially on the skin, it’s likely a sign that the kiwi is spoiled. To learn how to tell if a kiwi has gone bad by smelling it, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 290,342 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Jane

        Dec 10, 2021

        "This article helped me determine whether or not my kiwifruit was good enough to eat. I was planning on eating my ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement