F.N. Sharp Paring Knife with halved, sliced and diced kiwi fruit

F.N. Sharp Fruit Prep Guide and Recipe Ideas: How to Pick, Ripen, Cut & Store Kiwi Fruit

F.N. Sharp Fruit Prep Guide and Recipe Ideas: How to Pick, Ripen, Cut & Store Kiwi Fruit

Wondering what to do with kiwi fruit, from how to pick and store them to how to ripen, cut, and eat them? This F.N. Sharp guide explains it all! 

Here’s what we’ll cover:

The F.N. Sharp Guide to Choosing, Cutting, and Storing Kiwi Fruit – Plus Delicious Recipes to Try!

Whole and halved kiwi fruit placed in a bowl and on cutting board on wooden surface

Before we get into all of our prepping tips and recipe ideas for enjoying the delicious kiwi fruit, let’s go over some FAQs:

What is a Kiwi and What is it Good for?

No, we’re not talking about a person who hails from New Zealand – we’re talking about the small, fuzzy fruit with bright green flesh and tiny black seeds that often make friends with strawberries. While kiwis have a slightly acidic taste that adds to their unique flavor profile, they’re actually classified as berries. (Who knew these fuzzy little fruits were part of the berry squad?)

Kiwis are mainly grown in New Zealand, which produces over 90 percent of the world’s kiwi fruit, but you can also find them in places like Greece (the top producer of kiwi fruit in Europe), Italy, France, Chile, China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States with California as the leading producer. (They're like little globetrotters, spreading their fuzzy goodness worldwide.)

Kiwis grow on vines, similar to grapes, and are typically in season from late fall to early spring. (They like to make a grand entrance when the weather gets chilly.) Not only do they make a delicious snack, they’re also loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants, making them great for digestion, skin health, and immune health. They're like the superheroes of the fruit world, fighting off free radicals and boosting your immune system. Plus, they're low in calories, so you can munch on them guilt-free!

How to Pick and Store Kiwi Fruit

When picking out kiwis, look for firm fruit with no blemishes or shriveled areas. Once you get those babies home, store them in the crisper drawer of your fridge to prolong their shelf life. (Kiwis like to chill out and stay cool, just like the rest of us.) You can also freeze them for smoothies or a refreshing treat—just peel and slice them, place them in an airtight storage bag or container, and pop them in the freezer. (They’re like mini popsicles, but healthier.)

How to Tell If a Kiwi is Ripe

If you’re not sure how to tell if that kiwi is ready to eat, just give it a gentle squeeze. If it gives slightly, it's ripe and ready to eat. If it’s still a bit firm, it’s not quite there, yet. And if you can't wait to enjoy this green treat, you can simply pop your kiwi in a paper bag with a banana or apple to speed up the ripening process. (It's like a fruity sleepover but with a purpose.)

How to Eat a Kiwi Fruit

Now, onto the important stuff - how to actually eat a kiwi. Some people like to peel off the fuzzy skin with a knife, but why not live life on the edge and eat it whole, skin and all? Yes, you can totally eat the skin of a kiwi! (No need to peel that fuzzy coat off, just dive right in.) The skin is packed with fiber and nutrients, so don't let it go to waste. (Just make sure to give it a good wash first!)

But wait, there's more! Kiwi fruit isn't just for snacking on. You can get super creative in the kitchen and use kiwis in all sorts of dishes. Throw them into a smoothie for a tropical twist, slice them up, and add them to a salad for a burst of flavor, or even use them in marinades for meats to add a tangy kick. The possibilities are endless!

And let's not forget about dessert! Kiwi fruit is the perfect addition to all sorts of sweet treats. Make a refreshing kiwi sorbet on a hot summer day, whip up a batch of kiwi fruit tarts for a fancy dinner party, or simply drizzle some honey over sliced kiwis for a quick and easy dessert. Your taste buds will thank you!

How to Peel & Cut Kiwi Fruit

Ready to slice up those kiwis? First, give them a nice wash and pat dry. Next, get a small cutting board ready by placing a folded, damp paper towel underneath to help stabilize, if needed). Then, grab your knife of choice (the paring knife is a great option for this small fruit) and follow along with the video above and/or the instructions below.

Get All the F.N. Sharp Essentials: The 6-Knife Set & Magnetic Knife Block

You can peel your kiwi using a spoon or a knife. If using a knife, first slice the kiwi in half. Then, with half of the fruit in one hand, use the tip of your paring knife to carefully slide between the skin and the flesh.

If in-hand work makes you a little nervous, you can place the halves cut side down on your cutting board and use the tip of your paring knife to start removing the skin at an angle from top to bottom. Alternatively, you can gently work a spoon between the skin and the flesh to scoop it out. Then, you can simply slice, cube, dice, or mince each half––whatever your heart desires or your recipe calls for.

So, there you have it––kiwi fruit is not only good for you, but it's also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Whether you're eating them straight up or incorporating them into your favorite recipes, kiwis are sure to add a delicious twist to your meals. So go ahead, get your kiwi on, and enjoy all the fruity goodness they have to offer!

Practice Your Kiwi Fruit-Cutting Skills With These F.N. Sharp Recipes

Are you ready to master those kiwi fruit-cutting skills? Here are a few recipes to get you there!

Lemony Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza

Slice up some kiwi fruit for this sweet and refreshingly delicious twist on pizza: a lemony sugar cookie fruit pizza with lemon frosting and fresh fruit! Freshly sliced kiwis, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, or whatever types of fruit you’d like to throw on there, all come together with some lemon cream cheese frosting and a homemade lemon sugar cookie crust to create this fruit pizza recipe!

Italian Candied Fruit

First gen F.N. Sharp chef's knife with cake topped with Italian candied fruit

This delicious Italian candied fruit recipe, or “mostarda di frutta”––as the Italians call it––is inspired by a classic condiment from the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. Traditionally used as a topping for meats like poultry and game, or as a pairing for sharp cheeses, this Italian “candy” combines fresh fruit with a little bit of mustard powder and seed with a little bit of wine for some extra deliciousness.

Dragon Fruit Salad With Citrus Dressing

Recipe for white dragon fruit salad with citrus dressing

While this fruit salad recipe doesn’t specifically call for kiwi fruit, it sure would make a delicious addition and extra pop of color! Peeled and diced white dragon fruit, diced strawberries, fresh blueberries, freshly squeezed lime juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, a little bit of agave, and a little bit of salt all come together in this sweet and refreshing recipe for dragon fruit salad with citrus dressing!

Need More Produce Prep Tips: Check Out Our F.N. Sharp Guides to Cutting Fruits and Veggies

Leave a comment

* Required fields

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.