One of the best parts of the summer months is the abundance of fresh tropical fruits that become newly available in grocery stores and farmers’ markets alike. There’s nothing better than breaking out the watermelon slices by the poolside or biting into a juicy mango on a hot day. But some of these fruits can be difficult to cut. Breaking through thick peels and separating fruit from seeds and pits proves a summertime challenge. But fret no more, here is your guide to how to properly cut some of the trickiest but most rewarding fruits, just in time for hot girl summer.
Mango
Mangos are infamously difficult to cut because they have large pits that do not easily separate from the flesh of the fruit. However, the seed is relatively flat and runs through the center of the fruit, making it possible to cut around. Firstly, hold the mango so that you are cutting parallel to the seed (the skinnier side should be facing you). Then, slide off the sides of the mango, cutting as close as possible to the seed without hitting it. This will be about ¼ of an inch from the center. Score the two halves, cutting straight lines horizontally and vertically across the mango. You can then flip the mango half inside out and bite the pieces off the skin, or use a spoon to scoop them out. As for the center piece, use the knife to slice off the skin, then eat the remaining fruit off of the seed like a popsicle.
This is the most traditional way to cut a mango. However, there is another, perhaps simpler way to do it, promoted by influencer Bretman Rock. In his TikTok videos, he can be seen cutting mangoes horizontally, making a circle around the pit, and pulling apart the halves so that one side contains the entire pit. He then grabs the pit and twists it to pull it out, and eats it like a popsicle. He uses a spoon to scoop out the fruit from the two mango halves.
Pineapple
This is perhaps the most difficult fruit to cut because of its very thick skin and vertical core. Firstly, slice off the top and bottom of the pineapple, then, slice the skin off the outside in vertical strips using a large knife. If there are remaining brown circles in the fruit, you will need to cut these out, as they are not edible. Then, stand the fruit up vertically and cut it into quarters. At the vertex of each quarter, there will be a lighter, harder section. This is the core, which you will need to cut out. You will now have four large pieces of edible fruit, which you can dice into bite-sized chunks.
If you are a big pineapple fan, I would strongly suggest purchasing a pineapple corer, which can be found for $10 to $20, and makes the pineapple cutting process much faster, easier, and more aesthetic. To use, cut off the top of the pineapple with a knife. Then, line up the corer with the fruit so the center ring is around the core. Then twist the corer and push down as you go. By the time you reach the bottom, the corer will have separated the fruit from the skin and core and sliced it into rings. Pull up on the corer to lift out the fruit. Then, remove the handle and turn the corer upside down. The pineapple rings will slide right off in a perfect vertical stack.
Watermelon
The only thing that makes watermelons difficult to cut is their gigantic size. To cut, you will need to use the biggest knife you have. There are many ways to cut a watermelon based on the shape you desire. The easiest method is to cut it into long square strips, with a piece of rind on one end. First, slice the watermelon in half and turn it so the flat side is down on the cutting board. Then, slice the watermelon in vertical and horizontal lines, giving you the long, skinny slices you can bite into. To cut the watermelon into the traditional triangular slices, first quarter the fruit, then cut each quarter in half vertically. This will give you eight long pieces. Then cut each piece into one-inch wedges. To cube the watermelon, first cut the eight pieces, then carefully slice the rind and white parts off of each piece in a curving motion. You can then dice the fruit into bite-sized cubes.
Kiwi
Kiwi skin is 100% edible, meaning it is possible to bite into a kiwi like an apple and eat it whole. In fact, the skin is rich in fiber and many beneficial vitamins. However, for those who prefer not to eat the skin, the kiwi is simple to cut. You can use a knife or peeler to peel the skin off the kiwi, then slice it into rings or bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can slice the ends off the kiwi, and use a spoon to scoop the fruit out from the skin and cut it up. This method is easier but messier; you may end up with juice dripping down your elbow.
Avocado
Regardless of whether avocados are technically a fruit or a vegetable, they are unarguably difficult to cut. They are also dangerous; OSF Healthcare reports that unsafe avocado cutting sends 9,000 people to the ER per year. First, slice the avocado in half vertically, making a circle around the pit. When you separate, the pit will be in one half, similar to the mango cutting trick from earlier. You can then use the heel of your knife to tap the pit and twist to remove it. Be very careful at this step, as a mistake may cause the knife to slip and cut you. If you don’t want to risk it, you can use a spoon to remove the pit, or push it out from the back with your hands.
At this stage, most would tell you to take a spoon to scoop the avocado flesh out from the skin. However, this may cause the avocado to break into pieces and you to lose some flesh that stays stuck to the skin. In my experience, it is best to put down all utensils and peel the avocado with your hands like a clementine. If the avocado is perfectly ripe, the peel will come off easily in one piece, wasting none of the flesh. Once the skin is off, you can cut the avocado into thin slices for use with tacos and fish filets, or into cubes to put in salads or whatever other concoction your heart desires.
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