Can You Freeze Kiwi?

4 minutes

So you love kiwi? You want to give yourself a solid supply without having to buy them every few days. But is that possible? And how? Are they a freezer-friendly fruit or not?

How To Freeze Kiwi

You might think freezing such an unusual, exotic fruit would be challenging but, when it comes to kiwi, there are actually 3 ways you can freeze it:

How to Freeze Kiwi After Slicing It

The best way to freeze kiwi is to slice it. This works whether you want it for garnishing yoghurt or if you need a handful for a smoothie.

1. Prep Fruit
   Start by peeling the fruit and then cutting or dicing it. The way you intend to use the kiwi after thawing it is a factor you should consider before opting for either of these options.
2. Prep Tray
   Next, pick a suitable shallow dish or baking tray and line it with baking paper or a freezer-safe silicone mat. It ensures that you can smoothly remove the frozen kiwi from the dish.
3. Flash Freeze
   When you place the slices in the dish, try to keep them separate from each other. If they overlap or touch, they will freeze up together. Next, place the baking tray or silicone mat in the freezer and wait for the fruit to freeze completely.
4. Final Freeze
   Once solidly frozen, remove the pieces from the tray and transfer them into a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag.

How to Freeze Kiwi in Sugar Syrup

Another way to effectively freeze kiwi is to use sugar syrup: Obviously, this makes your kiwi unhealthy suddenly:

1. Make Sugar Syrup
   You will have to prepare the sugar syrup using three cups of sugar for every four water cups. Stir well, and add a teaspoon of ascorbic acid for better results.
2. Add to Containers
   Once you are ready with the sugar syrup, transfer sliced or diced kiwi pieces into the container. Make sure the syrup completely engulfs the kiwi! Keep in mind that the contents will expand upon freezing, so you will be better off leaving some extra space.
3. Freeze
   Seal then freeze.

How to Freeze Kiwi Puree

Yes, you can freeze kiwi puree as well. For this, it is always more convenient to use ice cube trays.

1. Freeze into Cubes
   First, you must freeze the puree in ice cube trays until it solidifies. Don’t fill the slots up all the way.
2. Bag Up
   When you are confident that the puree is frozen solid, you can remove the cubes from the tray and transfer the kiwi cubes into a container.
3. Freeze
   Return to the freezer.

How Long Can You Freeze Kiwi?

You know how to freeze kiwi, but are you wondering how long it will last?

Kiwi is a fruit with a good shelf life. Freezing it makes it even better! You can increase the life of a kiwi by twelve months when you freeze it. However, ensure you consume the frozen fruit within three months for the best results.

Kiwi purée can last in a frozen form for up to three months. Of course, you can let it remain frozen for a longer period, but it will drastically reduce the quality.

How Do You Defrost Kiwi?

The easiest way to defrost frozen kiwi is to transfer it from the freezer into the fridge. You can leave it in there for a night. You will most likely meet some ready-to-consume kiwi when you check your fridge in the morning!

When defrosting kiwi puree, a plastic ziplock bag is suitable. Submerge the puree into some water, and it will thaw pretty quickly.

Can You Refreeze Kiwi?

You should not try to refreeze kiwi if you can help it! Freezing changes the quality of the fruit. Defrosting it and then making it go through another cycle might result in a squishy, mushy fruit that you will not enjoy eating.

You can use the kiwi in a smoothie or a similar delicacy once you defrost it. You can also use kiwi in sorbets!

Do Kiwi Freeze Well?

Some fruits freeze surprisingly well, while others do not. Kiwi falls in the middle of this spectrum. Freezing kiwi affects its texture and quality.

When you freeze and defrost a kiwi, its surface becomes soft and mushy. The taste may also be different.

If you freeze a whole kiwi, it will turn out worse when you defrost it. You will not be able to enjoy the delightful fruit due to its unsavoury texture and consistency!