Did you know that kiwi, the national fruit of New Zealand, is Chinese in origin?

A New Zealand educator introduced the fruit to the Kiwis (people of New Zealand) after discovering it while visiting mission schools in China. They liked it so much that they started cultivating it commercially, officially naming it kiwi after New Zealand’s national bird.

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Kiwi is not only famous for being an exotic fruit but also as a powerhouse of nutrients. Kiwi contains much more vitamin C than lemons or oranges. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps fight free-radical damage, boosts immunity and gives you clear skin. Kiwi is also rich in dietary fiber, folate, and other vitamins and minerals.

intro to peel and cut a kiwi
Learn the easiest hacks to peel and cut this citrusy delight

Owing to its tart flavor and high nutritional values, kiwi has found its way into cereals, salads, and desserts around the world. It also works well as a meat tenderizer.

However, as much as you enjoy eating the fruit, kiwi’s paper-thin skin and gooey pulp can make the peeling and slicing task really frustrating. It can become almost next to impossible to peel and cut kiwi without dropping the juice all over.

If you’ve been looking for ways to easily peel and cut this fruit without creating a mess, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn four nifty hacks to neatly peel and cut kiwi in less than 60 seconds and enjoy the tasty delight.

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# Peel and Cut

Method 1: Scoop Out the Flesh with a Spoon

If you wish to extract the maximum pulp out of a kiwi, just grab a spoon. Inserting a spoon right under the skin of a kiwi and rotating it will help easily detach the fruit from the rind.

Step 1. Cut off the ends of the fruit and scoop out the flesh

scoop out flesh with a spoon to peel and cut a kiwi
Chop off the edges and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh
  • Use a paring knife to cut off both ends of the kiwi.
  • Hold the kiwi firmly in one hand. However, do not squeeze it, as the tender flesh will give in to the pressure.
  • Gently insert a spoon right below the skin with its bowl facing toward the flesh (as shown in the image above). Push it all the way to the other end.
  • Begin rotating the spoon to detach the skin from the flesh. Continue doing so until you complete a full circle.
  • Remove the skin from the other side to extract the flesh.

Step 2. Slice the fruit crosswise

slice into circles to peel and cut a kiwi
Slice the kiwi into round sections
  • Place the extracted flesh on a chopping board.
  • Hold it gently from one end and slice it crosswise to get perfectly round pieces.

Method 2: Slide It Along the Edge of a Glass

Another clever hack to easily peel and cut kiwi is sliding it down the edge of a glass. You can then cut the flesh into wedges. You can also use this method to cut a mango neatly.

Step 1. Cut the kiwi in half & slide each half down against the edge of a glass

slice in half and push it down on the glass edge to peel and cut akiwi
Slice the fruit into half and use a glass to separate the skin
  • Hold a kiwi upright on the chopping board.
  • Slice it lengthwise into halves.
  • Choose a glass with a wide mouth and a thin rim.
  • Position the lower edge of the kiwi half atop the rim of the glass (as shown in the image above). The rim should fit just beneath the skin to separate it from the flesh.
  • Place the glass upright and push the kiwi down against the rim. The flesh will drop inside the glass, and the skin will remain in your hand.
  • Repeat for the other half as well.

Step 2. Slice the peeled kiwi into wedges

slice into wedges to peel and cut a kiwi
Slice the half lengthwise to get kiwi wedges
  • Place one half on a chopping board and slice it lengthwise to get kiwi wedges. Repeat with the other half as well.
  • Enjoy the wedges as is or dice them further and add them to your salad.

Method 3: Use a Vegetable Peeler

You can stick to the conventional way and use a vegetable peeler to peel a kiwi fruit, then slice it into round sections or wedges.

Single-Step Method: Hold the kiwi upright and peel the skin off with a peeler

remove skin with a vegetable peeler to peel and cut a kiwi
Use a vegetable peeler to pull down the skin
  • Slice off one end of the kiwi.
  • Hold it upright on a chopping board, with the cut side facing up.
  • Use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin downward on all sides.
  • Once that is done, slice off the other end of the kiwi to detach the skin from the flesh.

# Designer Cut

Method 1: Use a Knife to Cut It into Star Shapes

If you’ve been struggling to make your kids eat this healthy fruit, you can make it more inviting by cutting the kiwi into star shapes. You can also use star-cut kiwi slices in your desserts for a fancier display.

Single-Step Method: Make diagonal cuts in the middle of the kiwi

make diagonal cuts in the middle to peel and cut a kiwi
Cut the kiwi into a star shape and use it in your desserts
  • Peel the skin off the kiwi using either Method 1 or Method 3 under # Peel and Slice.
  • Hold the peeled fruit upright and insert the knife diagonally in the middle of the flesh (as shown in the image above).
  • Continue making diagonal cuts across the fruit to get a zigzag shape. Make sure that your cuts are deep enough to separate the fruit into two halves once you complete a full round.
  • Break the fruit into two halves and enjoy.

Tips

  • You can also use an egg cutter to cut even-sized, round sections of a peeled kiwi.
  • When buying kiwi, choose those that are full and plump. Also, there shouldn’t be any wrinkles on the skin.
  • If your kiwi is overripe and cannot be cut into slices, you can blend it into a smoothie.
  • You can also peel and cut kiwi to make flavored water during the summer.
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