|
 |
 |
| Pineapple |
 |
Pineapple, the wide cylindrical shaped spiky fruit is the second most favorite tropical fruits in the USA after banana and Thailand is the world leading producer of the fruit (The largest in 2004 and second largest in 2005).
Pineapple received its name because of its resemblance to the pine cone. In Spanish it is called “piña” and many European countries use the native term “anana”. The pineapple fruit develops as a composite of many small fruitlets, called “eye” fused together. The juicy flesh is praised with a fine balance of sweet and tart flavor
Pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which helps food digestion by breaking down protein. This property also helps tenderize meat so pineapple juice containing this property is also used as a marinade for meat.
Pineapple is a good source of manganese (91 %DV in a 1 cup serving) which plays an essential role in antioxidant defense. It also contains significant amounts of Vitamin C (94 %DV in a 1 cup serving) and Vitamin B1 (8 %DV in a 1 cup serving). |
| |
| History |
|
Pineapple is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay. It was spread by the native Indians up through South and Central America to the West Indies before Columbus arrived. In 1493 Columbus found the fruit on the island of Guadeloupe and carried it back to Spain and it was spread around the world on sailing ships that carried it for protection against scurvy. By the end of the 16th century, Portuguese and Spanish explorers introduced pineapples into many of their Asian, African and South Pacific colonies, countries in which the pineapple is still being grown today. The pineapple reached England in 1660 and began to be grown in greenhouses for its fruit around 1720. The pineapple was introduced to Hawaii in 1813, and canned Pineapples were sold in 1892. In 1901, James Drummond Dole began growing Pineapple on sixty acres on Wahiawa, north of Oahu for canned fruit production. He named his business the "Hawaiian Pineapple Company." Dole was so successful in his endeavors to place canned pineapple in grocery stores that he later was dubbed, "The Pineapple King".
Because pineapple is perishable and was such rarity in Europe, the fruits were luxurious delicacy. Accessible only to the wealthy to decorate banquet tables, pineapple came to be a status symbol of the social elite. In Colonial America, pineapple developed more friendly association, a symbol of hospitality and friendship Visitors received welcome with pineapple felt particularly honored by a hostess who spared no expense to ensure her guests' dining pleasure. It was considered as significant achievement for a hostess to prepare this rare tropical fruit to decorate the table. It further came to represent the sense of welcome, god cheer, warmth and affection in various gatherings. |
| |
| Enjoy Pineapple! |
|
Fresh pineapple is widely available in the USA. Many are from Hawaii (Cayenne Pineapple) and Caribbean and Central America (Red Spanish Pineapple). The peak season for Hawaiian pineapple comes in April and May but the fruits are available in the US mainland throughout the year. Caribbean pineapples have two seasons: December through February and August through September.
Fresh pineapple is often somewhat expensive as the fruit is delicate and difficult to ship. Although pineapple can ripen after harvest, the ripening of pineapples can be rather difficult as they will not ripen for some time and in a day or two become over-ripe. The fruit is chill-sensitive and should not be stored in the refrigerator nor frozen as it develop off flavors. Therefore, pineapples are most widely available canned.
Pineapples are used in a variety of cooking recipe. The flesh of larger fruits is cut up in various ways and eaten fresh, as dessert, in salads, compotes and otherwise, or cooked in pies, cakes, puddings, or as a garnish on ham, or made into sauces or preserves. Malayans utilize the pineapple in curries and various meat dishes. In the Philippines, the fermented pulp is made into a popular sweetmeat called nata de pina. The pineapple does not lend itself well to freezing, as it tends to develop off flavors. |
| |
| Sources |
|
California Rare Fruits Growers
United States Department of Agriculture
http://www.nutritiondata.com/
Universal Orland Foundation Library,
http://library.ucf.edu/Rosen/pineapple.asp
World Healthiest Foods |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
The copyrights / trademarks of all material provided on this Site belong to Radee Wine, Inc. Sacramento CA.
None of the material may be reproduced, copied, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form
without the prior written consent of Radee Wine, Inc. |
|
