When choosing a fresh pineapple, sniff first. Choose one that smells pineapple-y but not too much so (too much perfume and it's likely overripe).

Look for a firm, heavy fruit that has yellow-orange coloring around the base; that's a sign of ripeness (being able to easily pull a leaf out of the pineapple's crown is not).

And some believe that the prickly eyes of the pineapple should be the same size, a sign that the fruit has reached its full mature sweetness.