First things first, don't judge a pineapple by its cover. Just because it's a little rough around the edges doesn't mean it's not ripe and ready to go. In fact, a perfectly picked pineapple will often have a few brown spots and a slightly soft skin – it's like it's saying, "Hey, I'm ripe, come and get me!"
Now, you might be thinking, "But what about the color? I thought a ripe pineapple was supposed to be a deep yellow?" Well, let me tell you, color is just a suggestion. A ripe pineapple can range from a light yellow to a deep golden brown, so don't be fooled by a pale complexion. Instead, give it a sniff – a ripe pineapple will give off a sweet, tropical aroma that'll make your mouth water like crazy!