Knowing when fruit is spoiled is not as easy as it might seem. For example, many Americans assume that bananas have gone bad when the peels turn brown. This isn't the case. When banana peels begin to brown, they are actually at their sweetest and most ready to enjoy. Similarly, some minor discoloration on an orange peel results from insect activity when the orange is immature and is normal. Fortunately, there are a few tell-tale signs that fruit has spoiled.
Step 1
Look for an expiration date on the packaging. Some prepared products, such as fruit trays, have an expiration date. The fruit may still be fine, but if it has passed its expiration date this is a warning sign that the fruit may have begun to decompose.
Step 2
Examine the fruit for mold. Mold is a sure sign that fruit has gone bad and must be composted or discarded. Do not simply trim mold off, because by the time a fruit exhibits signs of mold the insides are probably bad as well.
Step 3
Feel the fruit. If the fruit is supposed to be firm, like apples, pears, melons or avocado and pomegranates, softness is a sign of the beginning stages of decay, especially when the entire fruit is soft. If it has one soft spot and the skin is unbroken, this may be a bruise that you can trim away, particularly in apples and pears. Cut the fruit open and look at the inside of the fruit if it is only one soft spot.
Step 4
Look at the skin or rind. Discoloration is a sign that the fruit is going bad on many fruits. A small discolored spot may be trimmed away, but large brown spots on the fruit mean that the fruit is rotting, especially if the spot is wet or weeping fluid. The exception to this rule is a banana. Bananas that still feel semi-firm but have large discolored spots are ripe enough to use for recipes such as banana bread. Oranges also may have some brown freckling that is natural.
Step 5
Smell the fruit. Ripe fruit is either odorless or has a mild fruit odor. Fruit that smells very strongly or fermented has probably gone bad. Cut the fruit open to ensure that the fruit appears ripe and unspoiled on the inside before consuming.
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