Ed’s Produce: Removing Pits From Fruits 101

Have you ever bitten into a fruit just to realize that you bit into the pit as well? Have you had trouble taking out the pit and the entire fruit falls apart? Here we will cover the best methods on removing pits from popular fruits!

Several fruits, such as peaches, cherries, and mangos to name a few, contain pits in their center that can sometimes be difficult to remove. Fruits such as peaches, plums, and nectarines are relatively easy fruits to pit. Start by slicing the fruit from the stem end to the bottom, then twist the halves apart like you are opening a jar to remove the pit. With freestone fruits, the pit should pop right out, but with clingstones, the process may be more difficult. Clingstones may require you to scoop or cut slightly around the pit to completely remove it. Cherries and olives are more fruits that can be pitted. These fruits are smaller than peaches so they may require some extra attention. If you do not have a special cherry pitter, try these methods instead! Start with using a bottle. Place the fruit on top of the bottle opening and press it down with a straw until the pit goes through! If that does not work, try pressing the fruit gently with the side of a knife until the pit loosens and is able to come out. Fruits like mangoes may be a bit tougher to work with as the pit can be stubborn. They can be pitted by cutting the fleshy sides of the mango that are close to the pit, then they can be scored or scooped out. Avocados are similar to mangoes in which the pit can be stubborn sometimes. Carefully cut vertically around the avocado then twist the halves to pull apart. The pit can now be scooped out with a spoon, or if you are feeling like a chef, carefully strike the pit with the lower end of a knife to remove. Dates, although smaller, can be pitted similarly by slicing lengthwise and pulling both halves apart. Apricots are another popular fruit where the pit can be taken out. Thankfully, apricots are probably the simplest of the bunch to be pitted! Just cut the apricot, twist, and the pit should come out with ease. 

Pitting fruits may seem difficult at first, but with focus and practice, you will be an expert at pitting your favorite fruits in no time!