Juicy Facts About Pineapples

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Ghana_pineapple_fieldFirst, for a little pineapple history: Pineapples were originally found in South America many centuries ago, long before European explorers arrived. It was on his second voyage here, that Christopher Columbus and his crew discovered the fruit in Guadeloupe and brought it to Spain. It is called piña which means a pinecone because of its shape. Pineapples charmed many explorers later and when it travelled to the Europe, it was rechristened ‘pineapple’, to add it to the list of fruits, quite exotic at that! However, pineapples can grow only in tropical climates and it was long before the pineapple – also called the ‘Princess of fruits’ – was introduced in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. Though they were found in South America, pineapples have travelled far and wide and today, the South-east Asian countries – namely the Philippines and Thailand are the world’s largest producers of pineapples in the world. In the U.S., the majority come from Hawaii and Costa Rica.

Now, for some juicy tidbits about pineapples:

1. Did you know that a Pineapple is 80% water?

2. Besides its flesh being used for consumption, the pineapple leaves are used to produce textile fiber in the Philippines, commonly used as the material for formal wear in the country, for both men and women. Did you also know that the fiber is also used as a component for making wallpaper and other furnishings?

3. For the ones who want to stay sober, there is always the fresh pineapple juice, whereas, for those of us who like a little zing, it is used as a main ingredient in the cocktail – the piña colada. In fact, the piña colada has been the national drink of Puerto Rico since 1978.

4. The stem of the pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, which helps break down protein. Because of the presence of this enzyme, pineapple juice may be used as a marinade and to tender meat. Bromelain also helps the body’s digestive system and is also used as a cold and cough suppressant due to the presence of Vitamin C.

5. For Caribbean males, running barefoot through pineapple plantings was a rite of manhood.

6. Did you know that a pineapple plant will only produce one pineapple each growing season and that a pineapple could take anywhere between 18-36 months to grow to its optimal size??? The biggest pineapple harvested until now weighed 8.28 Kgs(18.25lbs).

7. Did you know that the pineapple isn’t exactly one fruit, but about 100-200 fruitlets – all fused together??

8. Did you know that pineapples are a great source of the mineral manganese which is needed by our bones and for the cartilage in joints and for our brain as well??

9. Did you know that the pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality, harmony and friendship since colonial days? In fact, people hang it outside their houses or place it at the center of the dinner table to exude the warmth.

10. Did you know that pregnant women and people with bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, and liver or kidney disease should not take bromelain. Probably, that’s why according to Chinese culture, pregnant women are advised to stay away from pineapples!!

11. Did you know that in Maui, Hawaii, pineapples are used to make wine????

12. Did you know that you could grow your own pineapple plant by cutting off the crown of the pineapple and planting it in soil?

13. Last, but not the least, did you know that there is a recurring legend that pineapples make a man’s seminal and a woman’s vaginal fluids taste and smell “sweeter”??

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