All About: Pineapples
Varieties
How to Store
Substitution
Nutrition
Pineapples are synonymous with some of the world's most exotic locales, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Kenya, and the Caribbean. Carib and Guarani Indians in South America's equatorial region used the fruit to make everyday items such as wine, soap, candles, juice, butter, pineapple syrup—even rope.
The pineapple—nicknamed King of Fruits—traveled up the western coasts of the Americas as trading between tribes and Spanish colonists increased. Successful pineapple plantations began popping up in Central America, Mexico, and Hawaii, which still export some of the world's best (and most expensive) fruits. Mainland Americans and Europeans have only been able to enjoy fresh pineapple since the advent of fast aerial shipping.
Varieties
Producers have tried to grow pineapples on almost every continent, and the more successful even developed their own varieties of pineapples. Three varieties dominate the market, including Smooth Cayenne, Red Spanish, and Sugarloaf.
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How to Store
The essence of the pineapple is its juicy, sweet taste, which is best while the fruit is fresh. Plan to eat the fruit within three days of purchase, and until then preserve the freshness by refrigerating the fruit in a closed container. Avoid the freezer; freezing can make the fruit dry out more quickly. Store other fruits, such as tomatoes and blueberries, next to pineapple to keep them fresh and sweet longer!
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Substitution
Canned pineapples make easy additions to smoothies, pizzas, and ice cream and are extra sweet when canned in their own natural juices. Plus, canned pineapples can be kept at lower temperatures for cold summer snacks and fruit salads. Pineapple juice often contains an extra boost of vitamin C. It can serve
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Nutrition
Like most fruits, pineapples are extremely nutritious. They contain little or no fat or cholesterol, and provide significant amounts of fiber, digestive enzymes, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium.
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