When is Kiwi in Season - Perfect Time To Buy Kiwi

The kiwi harvest typically takes place in November, December, and January, with the kiwi season beginning in late fall. Kiwis are a winter fruit, but not all of them can stand the cold. While some varieties can withstand the cold, the majority of kiwis cannot be grown in regions with harsh winters.

Kiwis are a delectable fruit with a unique flavor and consistency. No other fruit can compare to the flavor of kiwis. Kiwis are worth the wait even though they take longer to prepare.

When Are Kiwi in Season?

When it comes to ripening, kiwifruit are somewhat unusual. Kiwi continue to ripen after harvest (they are climacteric), unlike most fruits that taste noticeably better when allowed to fully ripen on the vine or tree.

As a result, kiwis can be harvested while still hard but still develop flavor, accumulate sugars, and soften.

They are stronger and withstand shipping because they can be harvested when they are still hard. This gives us access to high-quality options regardless of our location or the season.

In contrast to kiwi imported from Chile and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere, the US kiwi season runs from October through May.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
US	x	x	x	x	x					x	x	x
NZ					x	x	x	x	x	x
Chile			x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x

How Do You Harvest Kiwis?

It is not always simple to determine when to harvest kiwis. Commercial farmers first use a tool to gauge the sugar content of the kiwis. The kiwis can be harvested if the sugar content is 6.5% or higher.

For someone with just one kiwi plant in their garden, however, this device is a bit pricey. You'll need to rely on the kiwi's size to determine when it's time to harvest it. In August, kiwis reach their mature size. You can't begin harvesting your kiwis once they are fully grown until late October or early November.

Due to their poor storage qualities, ripe and soft kiwis are only harvested when they are still quite firm. As a result, you cannot determine whether a kiwi is ready to be harvested based on how firm it is.

If you are unsure of the maturity of your kiwis, cutting one open is the best way to figure out when they are ready to be harvested. You can gather your kiwis if the seeds inside are black, indicating that there is enough sugar in the fruit.

Kiwis are easily harvested by simply snapping them off the tree. Kiwis bruise easily, and damaged kiwis don't store well, so be gentle when handling them.

Kiwis can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature to ripen after they have been harvested. Kiwis won't last very long, though, once they've ripened. So it's best to only let the amount of kiwis you intend to use ripen.

How to Pick Kiwi

A kiwi's flavor cannot be inferred from its appearance.

• If you intend to use them soon, purchase soft kiwis. Squeeze the fruit just enough to prevent them from bruises.
• Purchase hard kiwis for longer storage.

When a kiwi is soft and fragrant, it is ripe and prepared for eating.

How Do You Ripen Kiwis?

Kiwis should be taken out of the refrigerator and put in a plastic bag with some vents if you want to let them ripen. You can place other fruit in the bag with them, such as apples, pears, or bananas, to help them ripen more quickly. The ethylene gas that these fruits all produce will hasten the ripening of the kiwis.

You can tell a kiwi is ready to eat when it feels soft to the touch. You must first peel a kiwi before eating it. Using a knife or a vegetable peeler, you can peel a kiwi. Kiwi peels have an unappealing texture despite being safe and harmless to eat. As a result, most people prefer to peel their kiwis.

Additionally, kiwi peels can irritate and cause sensitivity. It is best to wear gloves when processing a lot of kiwis to avoid irritating your hands.

The kiwi can be cut into pieces and served after being peeled. In addition to being delicious in fruit salads, smoothies, and yogurt toppings, kiwis are best served cold.

Some of your kiwis can be stored in a plastic bag with vents in the refrigerator if you don't want them to all ripen at once. Keep them separate from other fruits, though, as the ethylene gas released by the fruit can cause the kiwis to ripen.

When the kiwi fruit is ripe, you can store it in the refrigerator for about five days. Kiwis, however, are best consumed right away. Kiwi can still be used in smoothies even if it gets too ripe. In the refrigerator, kiwis that are still firm can last for about a month.

How to Store Kiwi

• Whole kiwi: leave on the counter to ripen (soften & sweeten) if still hard. When foods are soft, place them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator (where the humidity is higher because they like it there). Never wash your hands before eating because doing so can lead to mold.
• Cut kiwi: store in an airtight container, or wrap in plastic, and it will last a few days in the fridge. After being cut, kiwi won't oxidize and turn brown.

Can You Store Kiwis for a Longer Time?

If kept frozen, kiwis can last up to six months. You can peel, cut, or slice your kiwis into discs before freezing them. Kiwi fruit can also be frozen whole.

If you choose to cut your kiwis into slices, you must first lay them out on a baking sheet and freeze the slices for about an hour. After that, store them in the freezer with a plastic bag over them. The kiwis won't stick to one another when they freeze as a result.

Kiwis can also be dried if you don't want to freeze them. A great snack, dried kiwis keep for a year at room temperature. So how do you dry kiwis?

• Kiwi fruit must first be peeled and cut into slices that are ¼ of an inch thick before drying. You can cut very small kiwis in half.
• After that, spread the kiwis out on a drying rack and allow them to dry until their texture resembles leather. This may take ten to eighteen hours. The drying time is affected by the temperature, moisture, and humidity of the air.
• After the kiwis have dried, store them in an airtight container and eat them.

Nutrition & Benefits of Kiwi

• Sugar: 1 kiwi has about the same amount of sugar (8g) as a mandarin (aka clementine) For comparison:
  • Apple: 19g
  • Banana: 14g
  • Orange: 12g
• Vitamin K: Kiwi is a high fruit source of vitamin K (which helps prevent osteoporosis)
  • 1 kiwi contains about 25% of the recommended daily value (DV) of Vitamin K
  • Blackberries are the next highest fruit source, with 12% DRV for ½ a cup
  • Kale, on the other hand is over 400% of your DV
• Vitamin C: 1 kiwi, as little as they are, contains your entire recommended daily value of vitamin C
• Fiber: 1 kiwi contains about as much fiber as 1 cup of cooked oatmeal

Tenderize Meat With Kiwi

With no flavor addition, kiwi helps meat become more tender. Actinidin, an enzyme found in kiwis, is very effective at breaking down protein without causing the meat to become mushy, as the bromelain enzyme found in pineapple can.

Kiwi marinades aren't widely available yet, but their popularity is growing. For steak, seafood, or Korean BBQ, give it a try.

Five different marinades, including kiwi, papaya, onion, honey, and baking powder, were put to the test on steak by GugaFoods. They judge the steaks based on their flavor and tenderness.

Conclusion

The kiwi, once regarded as primarily a subtropical fruit, has been bred to be more tolerant of cold temperatures. Some plants are naturally tolerant of cold, which broadens their range and season. A sturdy trellis and lots of water are required for the growth of these enormous vines. In the US, late fall and early winter are considered harvest season.