Pineapple undergoes changes during maturation and
ripening. As the fruit ripens, the ‘eyes’ change from
pointed to flat, with a slight hollowness at the centre;
the fruit becomes enlarged, less firm and more aromatic.
The shell colours of pineapple are generally used
to determine the various stages of maturity. ‘Red Spanish,
develops a reddish-brown, yellow or light orange
colour, while Smooth Cayenne produces a light yellowor golden yellow colour when ripe. Pineapples with
slightly yellowed to one-half yellowed surface have better
shelf-life than those with more surface colour, and
fruits with no yellowing may not he mature enough for
optimum quality (Pantastico, 1975).