The pineapple is a fruit plant that is grown today in tropical climate-controlled areas around the world. The fruit is eaten fresh or processed into canned fruit or fruit juices. A pineapple that is fresh and fully ripe is a great treat.
What you should know about the pineapple
Christopher Columbus discovered the pineapple because he tried it for the first time. However, the original homeland is believed to be in Paraguay, which is still one of the main growing areas today. The pineapple is one of the most famous tropical fruits.
There are now numerous growing areas in the world, so that the pineapple is available all year round. Important suppliers are the West Indies, Central and South America, Africa, Thailand, the Philippines and China. There the pineapples usually grow on large cultivation plantations. But there are also small growing areas in Europe, for example in the Azores and Canaries. Over 100 types are known, which differ in terms of color, fiber shape, size and strength.
The yellow varieties are more popular than the green ones because they are sweeter, can be stored longer and ripen better. In general, in terms of taste and consistency, when ripe the pineapple is sweet with a slightly sour note and very juicy.
Importance to health
The pineapple has a number of positive effects on health. It contains plenty of nutrients and thereby strengthens the immune system, lowers high blood pressure, acts as a mood enhancer and regulates digestion. A 150 gram serving of fresh pineapple covers almost a third of the daily requirement with more than 25 mg of vitamin C.
Apart from the vitamin C content, it offers numerous other valuable ingredients, is also low in calories and almost fat-free. The iodine it contains supports thinking, the zinc maintains intellectual performance and reduces the effects that stress can cause. The calcium strengthens the nerves because it calms and relaxes. The vanillin in the pineapple is also a natural mood enhancer.
Magnesium also does a good job, because it has an antidepressant effect and relieves nervousness and anxiety. It also regulates the calcium balance and the alkaline balance in the body, as the pineapple has a strong alkaline effect thanks to the minerals it contains.
The iron in pineapples is important for physical and mental performance. Fresh pineapple juice is very suitable for fever and colds. It drains and detoxifies as the fruit acids of the pineapple absorb substances in the tissue. In addition, hardening of the arteries can be prevented as deposits on the inner walls of the vessels are broken down. The pineapple also supports digestion and fat burning effectively, so thanks to the digestive enzyme bromelain it is also suitable for people who want to lose weight.
Ingredients & nutritional values
| Nutritional information | Amount per 100 gram |
| Calories 50 | Fat content 0.1 g |
| cholesterol 0 mg | sodium 1 mg |
| potassium 109 mg | carbohydrates 13 g |
| protein 0.5 g | vitamin C 47.8 mg |
The pineapple is not only very tasty, it also contains many healthy minerals, trace elements, vital substances and enzymes, thanks to which it is a true natural remedy. For example, the tropical fruit contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and iodine. The body needs all these substances in order to stay healthy.
The fresh pineapple also provides important vitamins, for example a lot of vitamin C, biotin, provitamin A, vitamin E and numerous other vital vitamins such as niacin, thiamine and riboflavin. The high bromelain content in pineapples is also responsible for the health benefits. The pineapple contains between 8 and 15 percent fructose, depending on the degree of ripeness, but this is immediately converted into glucose by the body so that it can be used directly. 100 grams of pineapple contain around 53 kcal, making the fruit a healthy and low-calorie food.
Intolerances & allergies
Exotic fruits are healthy and taste good, but some people do not tolerate tropical fruits such as pineapple, which manifests itself in unpleasant hypersensitivity reactions. It can sometimes be helpful to try different varieties.
The "Sweet Pineapple", for example, has proven itself in the case of a digestive problem. This very sweet variant is particularly well tolerated when the body does not produce enough stomach acid. However, this variety is not suitable for people who suffer from gastric mucosal diseases, as it has a high proportion of fruit acid.
Shopping & kitchen tips
When buying pineapples, care should be taken to choose heavy and large fruits that have an intense fragrance. The fruit should be bright yellow to orange.
The inner leaves, which are located on the shaft of the pineapple, must be easy to loosen, because this indicates an optimal degree of ripeness. When pressure is applied to the pulp, it should yield a little, but the pineapple should not have any pressure points. The green color of the leaf crown is a sign of freshness and good taste. When buying, you should also pay attention to the stem approach at the lower end, as mold often forms here, which indicates an overlay. The fresh pineapple not only tastes best, it is also healthier than the fruit from a can or a glass.
However, a ripe pineapple should not be left too long at home and should be enjoyed within a few days. It will last about a week in the fridge's vegetable drawer. A pineapple that is still green, i.e. not yet fully ripe, can remain at room temperature for longer so that it can ripen. Mostly, however, fruits harvested early often have a slightly sour taste.
Preparation tips
Many people shy away from the preparation, because peeling and chopping the fresh pineapple is a bit of a hassle, but with a little practice this will easily succeed. First of all, the stem and the crown of the pineapple are cut off with a large knife so that it can be placed on the work surface and the peel can be removed all around. This is done from top to bottom.
Depending on the recipe, the pineapple can then be cut into slices or cubes. The hard, inedible stalk in the middle is also removed. Thanks to the sweet and sour and exotic taste of the pineapple, it goes well with numerous dishes. The fruit is very popular in Asian, African and Caribbean cuisine. The pineapple, for example, tastes great in curries and wok dishes with pork and poultry.
But it also fits wonderfully in vegetarian dishes or salads. Other areas of application for fresh pineapples are desserts, fruit salads, quark dishes, fruit sundae, pizzas, cakes and tarts. The most popular dishes or drinks that are prepared with pineapple include Hawaiian Toast, Hawaiian Pizza, various curry dishes and baking specialties, as well as the well-known Pina Colada cocktail.
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