How to Prepare a Pineapple

Pineapples are a delicious treat by themselves, a great drink garnishment, and tasty desert. Finding and preparing a fresh, ripe pineapple for any occasion is doable with the right tools. This guide will show you how to pick out the pineapple and how to prepare it for serving.

You will need:

1. A ripe, delicious smelling pineapple
2. A knife- large
3. A pineapple corer/slicer tool
4. A cutting board OR plate
5. Bowl with lid

Purchasing a pineapple from the market, whether it be a farmers market or a supermarket, must be selected on readiness criteria:

You want to find one that the skin is turning a brownish color and as little green as possible.

Be sure that the pineapple does not have soft spots as this can indicate the pineapple is going bad. The scent of the pineapple should be sweet but not a sickenly sweet smell of bad fruit.

(Pro tip: If you plan to prepare the pineapple later you might want to get a pineapple that is a little green so that it will be ripe when needed.)

You should be able to pull a leaf out and off the top of the pineapple easily, indicating that the pineapple is ripe.

When you smell the bottom of the pineapple it should smell sweet like fresh pineapple.

Once you have picked out and purchased your pineapple it may sit at room temperature on the counter until ready for use.

1. When you are ready to prepare the pineapple you will use the Chef’s knife to cut the top of the pineapple off. You will cut the top 1/2 inch of the pineapple and the stalk off.
2. Place the pineapple on the cutting board/plate.
3. Grab your pineapple corer/slicer tool and place beside the pineapple to check for cutting depth (you want to make sure you know how far down you want to progress the corer for obtaining the best amount of pineapple without getting skin)
4. Place the pineapple tool on top of the pineapple and gently press with moderate pressure, turning in a downward direction to slice/ core pineapple until 1/2 inch remains undisturbed under the tool for the best amount of fruit.
5. Remove the tool from the skin and visualize the cut pineapple.
6. Pull the slices up and off of pineapple off of the tool now if you wish to separate it.
7. Remove the top of the tool and slide the rest of the pineapple rings of the tool.
8. Remove the core to add to the scraps of the skin as shown.

Taste the pineapple for quality. It should be sweet and juicy.

Place the sliced pineapple in a bowl for immediate use or put a lid on the bowl and save for later.

You may use pineapple for garnishments, a fruit tray, smoothies, etc. The world of fresh pineapple ideas is your oyster now that you have the pineapple prepared. Enjoy!