How to Peel and Cut a Kiwi?

Kiwifruit, shortly known as kiwi, is a healthy choice of fruit with plenty of health benefits. You can simply eat them as a snack or mix them with other ingredients like yogurt or even make kiwi ice cream. You have all the freedom to choose how you use kiwi in your kitchen, but the first step is always to peel and cut it.

In this article, we’ll explain how to prepare kiwi and different ways to cut it while providing some helpful information about this delicious, juicy fruit. Read on and find out!

How to tell if kiwi is ripe?

After bringing kiwis from the grocery store, you want to make sure they are ready to eat. They can have a bothersome taste despite the pleasant smell if not ripe. The next thing you know, you start to wonder if kiwi is the right choice of fruit for you after biting one that isn’t ready yet. 

The first and the most direct sign is to taste it. A matured kiwi should have a sweet and tart taste that’s delightful. You can also inspect the texture of the fruit to see if they are ready to eat:

Gently press the kiwi with your fingers. A ripe kiwi should give a little bit. A kiwi that’s too firm indicates it’s not ready for consumption. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be too soft either. Mushiness is an initial sign of the kiwi turning bad, warning you before oozing and mold.

Ripen kiwi faster

Kiwis will naturally ripen in two to three days by leaving them at room temperature. You can speed up this process by putting kiwis in a brown paper bag with an apple or two and storing them in a dark place like your kitchen drawer. 

The ethylene released from the apple will ripen the kiwis faster. A banana or pear would work just fine in the absence of apples. If you have nothing but kiwis, store them in a brown paper bag alone, and this will ripen kiwis faster than simply leaving them at room temperature in a fruit bowl.

How to peel

Before peeling kiwi, make sure to wash it thoroughly. Being a fuzzy fruit, kiwis can build up dirt a lot quicker than most other fruits. It’s essential to give it a proper wash before peeling or cutting.

The oval shape of the kiwi and the relatively smooth surface without bumps and dents enables us to peel them easily. You can use two main tools to peel kiwi: a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to peel a kiwi using these two tools.

Peeling kiwi with a paring knife

If you don’t have a peeler or want to avoid too many dishes on the sink, use a paring knife to peel the skin of a kiwi. 

1. Place the kiwi on the cutting board on its side and cut off both ends.
2. Stand the kiwi upright.
3. Secure the position of the kiwi using your non-dominant hand and start slicing off the skin. 

When peeling a kiwi with a paring knife, take your time and avoid cutting too much of the flesh. After peeling kiwi or similar fruits like this occasionally, you’ll get used to it and master the technique in no time. You can also peel the kiwi by holding it in your hand if that’s easier for you.

Peeling kiwi with a vegetable peeler

Peeling a kiwi with a knife is as easy as using a vegetable peeler, but the knife’s blade may leave a noticeable amount of marks. Peel the kiwi using a vegetable peeler to a smooth end-product. Here is how. 

1. Cut both ends of the kiwi.
2. Take it on your non-dominant hand and start peeling from top to bottom or the other way around, whichever you’re comfortable with the most. 

A good tip for not just peeling kiwi using a vegetable peeler but any other fruit would be to use your thumb for both pushing and accuracy.

Scooping out the kiwi flesh

Additionally, you can use a spoon to take out the entire flesh at once. This method works the best with ripe kiwis that are on the softer side. Otherwise, you will leave a fair amount of edible fruit that will go to waste. Here is how to use a spoon out the flesh of a kiwi rather than peeling.

1. Cut both ends as always.
2. Slide the tip of the spoon into either one of the sides.
3. Lightly push the spoon into the kiwi and start rotating it once it’s deep enough.
4. Take the spoon out once you make a complete circle around the kiwi and press the skin to release the flesh.

Regardless of the way you peel kiwis, it’s good enough as long as you reveal the green flesh in its entirety. Go with the method that suits you the most.

How to cut

Now, you have a kiwi that’s ready to be cut. Here is how to cut a kiwi into slices and cubes, plus a bonus, fancy way to impress guests.

Kiwi slices

The easiest way to prepare yourself a bowl of kiwifruit is to cut them into slices. Simply place the kiwi sideways on the cutting board and start slicing. The optimal thickness is anywhere from a quarter to half an inch, but you can cut them in any size you favor.

Kiwi cubes

When mixing kiwi with yogurt or adding them into a fruit salad, the best way to cut them is into cubes. Turning kiwis into cubes, in other words, dicing them, can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these simple steps to turn a kiwi into cubes.

1. Cut off both ends and stand the kiwi on the cutting board.
2. Cut the kiwi lengthwise and rotate 90 degrees to determine the cubes’ thickness.
3. Place the kiwi on its side and start cubing them.

If it’s challenging to hold the kiwi in place, you can cube one half and the other later as the flat edges will be more steady and easier to cut. You can also cut one half into strips, then into cubes if that’s more comfortable for you.

Carving kiwi into a flower

A great way to present kiwi and garnish other meals in a fancy manner is to carve it into a flower. You might wonder how that is even possible by the looks, but it all lies in the technique. Here is how to carve a kiwi into a flower to impress your guests.

1. Place the kiwi on the cutting board and put fingers on both ends to keep it stable.
2. Using a paring knife, cut a zig-zag pattern at the center and stick the blade to the center of the kiwi.
3. Once you’re done, pull both halves apart. They should come off easily. Poke the center with the knife a little more if they don’t.

If it’s too much of a hassle to turn your knife with every movement, insert the knife at a 45-degree angle all the way through the center of the kiwi with one-inch apart cuts instead. Then, insert the knife again at the opposite angle to connect them. Whether you do it like this or as explained in the list above, it is crucial to insert the knife carefully not to pierce the skin on the other end.

How to store kiwi?

Store the cut kiwi leftovers in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to four to five days. If they’re becoming mushy or changing in color, it’s a sign of going bad. As whole and unripe, you can store kiwis for quite a while in the fridge, up to three to four weeks.

You may need to leave the kiwi at room temperature to ripen, but it will go bad quickly if it overstays. Move ripen kiwis from the counter to the refrigerator as soon as possible to avoid waste.

FAQs

What kiwi is good for?

Kiwifruit is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, particularly with a high vitamin C and dietary fiber content. Adding kiwifruit to your meals has many health benefits, including a better heart and digestive system. Rich in antioxidants, eating them also prevents cancer and cells’ oxidation, all while being only 45 calories per medium-sized kiwi.

Is kiwifruit keto?

Although carbs from fruits are considered good, you may not want to eat kiwi as often as other fruits. A medium-sized kiwi contains about 10 grams of carbohydrates. So, they aren’t exactly a good fit for someone on a ketogenic diet that wants to cut down all the carbs. 

Where do kiwis grow?

Contrary to popular opinion, kiwis don’t grow on trees. Instead, they grow on woody vines that twist around trees. Kiwifruit is native to Taiwan and China. They are commercially grown in New Zealand, Italy, Iran, and Greece, with China being the largest producer.  

Can I eat the skin of a kiwi?

From a health perspective, eating kiwi skin won’t cause any harm as long as the skin is thoroughly washed before consumption. However, you may not like its taste, especially considering the hairy texture. Nevertheless, kiwi skin provides plenty of fiber and antioxidants and increases the total nutritional value of the fruit when eaten.

Kiwifruit is juicy, delicious, and can be eaten differently. While how you cut it may change, one thing is always the same for sure – everyone needs good quality knives in their kitchen. Take a look at our handmade knives collection to have a knife that will last you long yet comes at an affordable price.