Pineapple knowledge: surprising facts
How do you know when a pineapple is ripe and why does this sweet fruit taste bitter when eaten with dairy products? Here are interesting facts that you definitely did not know about this fruit, which originated in America.
- The Latin word for pineapple (Ananas comosus) comes from the Guaraní word naná and means ‘delicious fruit’.
- In southern Germany and Austria, large strawberries are also called pineapples to distinguish them from wild strawberries.
- The colour of a pineapple’s skin does not reveal anything about its ripeness. Instead, the curves of the individual spikes are an indication of how ripe a pineapple is: the flatter the skin, the riper the fruit.
- Despite its thick skin, the pineapple is very sensitive to pressure and low temperatures. It should not be kept below 7 °C – it is better therefore not to keep an unpeeled pineapple in the fridge.
- Pineapples contain a special enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to relieve minor injuries, such as swellings and muscle injuries.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day! The growth cycle from the time that the seedlings are planted to when the fruit is harvested takes over a year.
- Fresh pineapple tastes bitter when combined with dairy products. The reason for this is that it contains the above-mentioned enzyme bromelain, which breaks down proteins in the milk into amino acids and peptides. So if you are combining pineapple with dairy products, it’s best eaten immediately after preparation.
- In German, the ‘golden pineapple’ is used jokingly in a sports context. It is an idiom used when victory is as good as certain.
- In the 17th century, the pineapple was considered to be a luxury good in Europe and was not only eaten but also used as a status symbol and for decorative purposes in homes and gardens.
By the way, for an easy way to cut up a pineapple: click here to read how you can cut up a pineapple in just 5 easy steps.
Your Dole Team