You may not have known that they used rotten pineapples as a food source in 17th-century America. Why? It was because pineapples were an exotic and expensive new fruit that could be displayed on mantelpieces to show wealth and culture.
You’ll find out later – mantelpieces and other open places are the *worst* places to put pineapples!
Nowadays, we don’t wait until the pineapple has gone bad to eat it. And pineapples don’t cost $8000, so you don’t need to feel bad about putting them in the fridge.
In this article, we’ll run down What to look for in a bad pineapple? How long can it last before going to waste?.
Are you ready to get the facts? After their flesh becomes mushy and they turn bad, or at the very least not good enough to eat, pineapples can become dangerous.
You’d be right to For less than one week, store the pineapple in the fridge If you don’t want your pineapple to last longer, opt for the freezer.
Help! Has My Pineapple Gone Bad?
Pineapple, like many other foods, can lose its quality before going completely bad.
Need a tip from a professional? When the leaves of your pineapple start to fade in color and dry out, it’s time to eat your pineapple, as this is the first sign of aging.
Bumps or soft spots If you see these signs, it is a signal to either throw away the fruit or at least cut off the mushy portion. As moisture spreads through fruit quickly, mold can also spread.
If you’re smelling anything funky – like vinegar – that’s a sign the sugar has started to ferment, and your pineapple, unfortunately, needs to go in the bin.
Can’t see anything but still unsure? Just cut up your pineapple into mouthful-sized chunks to check there aren’t any brown spots or nasty creepy crawlies.
What is the Lifespan of Pineapples?

Whole pineapples won’t keep fresh for more than a day at room temperature, but they will last up to 4-5 days in the fridge. That said, you can eat your pineapple 1-2 days after these timeframes until it’s actually gone bad.
Sliced pineapples can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
They might not be ideal. But there’s one way you can keep your pineapples fresh for extended periods of time.
The freezer You can keep pineapple in your freezer for up to 3 months and won’t lose any nutritional value.
One thing to remember – pineapple will only last this long if you follow our instructions on how to store pineapple in the freezer.
As for canned pineapples, it’s best to go by the date on the can. However, you can eat canned pineapple pieces for up to 3 months after the expiration date, but it’s definitely not recommended.
How do you store pineapples the best?

Before we even begin talking about how to store pineapples, let’s start with How to choose pineapples.
When you’re at the grocery store, you want to find a pineapple without spots and bruises. You can choose the color of your pineapple. Leaves should always be green and the skin shouldn’t have started to turn brown.
Don’t worry if the leaves fall off. It’s not a sign of looming decay.
Once you get home, feel free to leave your pineapple on the counter or in the pantry as long as you’re happy to eat it all within a day. It will age faster if it is exposed to heat, light, humidity, and temperature modulation.
Ideally, you’ll store pineapples either in the Fridge or cold storage in a freezer/cellar. Take your pineapples out of any plastic packaging and make sure they’re well-ventilated in the fridge. This is important. Stop moisture from getting into the pineapple.
Keep your pineapples clean. While they look well protected, they can still bruise quite easily.
Problem: You have an overwhelming fridge. No problem – you’ve got two options.
Your first step is to chop your pineapple and then place it in a container. The whole fruit should fit in the refrigerator much more easily than a tub of plastic.
The second alternative is to turn off the fridge and use the freezer instead.
Chop your pineapple in small pieces or into chunks. Place these on a baking plate. Cover the tray with aluminum foil or clingfilm and place in the freezer.
This is what’s known as a “Flash freeze” and is designed to keep your frozen pieces apart for easy portioning when you want to eat them.
When the flash freeze is complete, put the pineapples in an airtight container or bag. Add a label with today’s date so you’re not caught out in the future.
When you’re ready to use the pineapple, thaw it for a few hours in the refrigerator. You can also use it as a substitute for butter. You can freeze it as a cooling snack for a hot day!
Are Pineapples Bad for You? It’s all in a Nutshell.
Yes, pineapples go bad.
They can quickly become brittle if left unattended on the countertops. They should be stored in the freezer or refrigerator.