The rich, sweet and very unique looking tropical fruit called pineapple that we enjoy so much in foods, dessert or just by itself is native to South America and was brought by the Caribbean Indians to the north. In 1493 Columbus found the fruit and carried it back to Spain and from there it was carried on sailing ships to prevent scurvy thus making its way across the entire world.

 

The pineapple, or “ananas” meaning excellent fruit, was a staple of Indian feasts and rites, and once brought to the New World became a symbol of wealth and status because of its wonderfully sweet taste, visual uniqueness and difficulty to obtain. So popular was the pineapple in the early 1800’s that it became a symbol of friendliness and hospitality and was used as decoration in architecture for gate posts and moldings as well as motifs for ceramic bowls, platters, pitchers and candelabras.

The pineapple plant itself is a tropical plant, but can tolerate brief exposures to cold as well as drought. It averages 3 ft. high and has small purple or red flowers at blooming time. Its fruit, which has a very unique taste, ranges from white and very acidic to yellow and less acidic, such as the commonly known “Smooth Cayenne” variety, which is grown in Hawaii.

 

A favorite pastime of mine is to grow my own pineapple plant at home. It is a great project for children and easy to do. First, you must purchase a healthy pineapple to use a starter plant. Ripe pineapples should be picked by snapping a finger against the side of the fruit and listening to the sound it makes. A fruit that is ready has a dull, solid sound and the inner leaves will not come out easily when tugged. A fresh pineapple should also last up to four weeks after being picked.

When you bring the pineapple home, cut off the crown right under the leaves where the fleshy fruit begins. Next, remove the bottom leaves of the pineapple, turn it upside down and let it dry for about a week so that the cut end can harden before planting. In the meantime, cut up and enjoy the delicious fruit! Then, place the pineapple shoot in a shallow dish of water taking care not to submerge the leaves and set the shoot in a bright spot out of direct sunlight for a few weeks while roots develop.

Next, plant the crown in a small pot so you can keep it as a houseplant during the cooler months and move it outside during the summer months. When the plant is inside, keep it in a sunny location and when it is outside, move it to the sunniest side of the house since pineapples prefer bright locations. Water the soil lightly once a week and then sit back and wait at least six months for the fruit to develop. It’s magic!