What’s the Pineapple?
The pineapple is one of the most valuable and popular tropical fruits in around the world. This edible and delicious fruit is known as “Ananas comosus” and belongs to the family of Bromeliaceae, in the genus; Ananas. The most of people ate pineapple to the raw and fresh.
- Outer features: The Pineapple has a rough, tough, scaly rind and spiky peel and its peel color in the ripe fruits may be yellow, orange-yellow or reddish. Its shape is oval and there are robust leaves at the top of the fruit.
- Inner features: The Pineapple is seedless and its juicy flesh may range from creamy white to yellow and has a mix of sweet and tart taste with rich flavor.
- Length and weighs: The Pineapple length is about 12 inches and its weigh is 1 to 8 pounds or more.
- Flavor and taste: The prominent aroma of natural ripe pineapple and free from any fermented & off flavor and scorched or caramelized flavor. The ripe pineapple taste is sweet – sour.
Pineapple History
The pineapple is a member of the tropical bromeliad family. The researchers are believed that the pineapple or “ananas” originated in the fertile soil of local Paraguay in South America. These fruits were transported by Christopher Columbus who brought them home from his travels in the “New World” and they soon became a gourmet delight savored across Europe. Pineapples are actually not just one fruit but a composite of many flowers whose individual “fruitlets” fuse together around a central core. Each fruitlet can be identified by an “eye,” which is the rough spiny marking on the pineapple’s surface. Pineapples have a wide cylindrical shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow skin and a regal crown of spiny, blue-green leaves. The fibrous flesh of pineapple is yellow in color and has a delicious tropical flavor.
From the ancient time the pineapple fruit had a great importance as it used to be considered as the symbol of warmth, friendship, integrity and hospitality. Even today, in many five star restaurants, the hard outer portion of the fruit is seen to be used as bowl while serving certain special menus. The gesture of such an unconventional serving implies nothing but warm hospitality!
Where is Pineapple Growing?
Pineapples are wonderful fruit. Not only are they delicious, but they are also very easy to grow. Growing pineapple plants is possible just about anywhere in the world. That’s because the pineapple plant is one of the few tropical fruits that are really well suited to growing in pots, and that means you can grow pineapples indoors. The pineapple is growing and producing in around the world including India, Côte d’Ivoire, Hawaii, Philippines, Costa Rica and etc.
How is Pineapple Growing?
Pineapple is one of the world’s most unique and exotic tropical fruits, with some patience we can grow and product a sweet and delicious pineapple fruit.
In general, Pineapple requires a period of around 18 months to complete its life-cycle. Proper care and maintenance is needed for successfully growing pineapple plants. Pineapple plants should be planted in full sun for best growth and fruit production and also don’t need too much water. (Growing pineapples in humid areas gives a better yield. However, if proper care is taken, it is possible to grow a healthy crop even in temperate regions.)
Select a part of the landscape at least 5 feet (1.5 m) away from other trees, buildings and structures where minimal shading occurs. The distance between individual pineapple plants ranges from 12 to 36 inches (21-91 cm). In general, wider spacing among plants allows for production of larger plants and fruit than close spacing among plants. The propagation of pineapple plants is mostly carried out by means of crowns. Seeds are not preferred owing to their slow growth. Other parts of the plant such as ‘slips’ and ‘suckers’ are also used for propagation. While preparing the crown for propagation, its lower leaves are peeled off to expose the ‘root primordia’. Crowns are then planted in a potting soil known as ‘Bromeliad Potting Soil’. Then the plants are grown in pots for few days before moving them in fields. The process of planting the pineapple crowns begins with selecting a proper soil medium for its growth. Also, the layers in which these media are arranged hold great importance. For example, the bottom layer is formed of pebbles which allow proper drainage of water. Above this layer, you should spread soil that is mixed with a medium like perlite. Crown should be planted in this layer of soil and then the soil watered. It takes about 6 weeks for the roots to gain hold in the soil. By the end of 2 months, the pineapple plant gets firmly rooted in the soil. It grows 50-100 cm tall. The pineapple plants grow well in a temperature ranging from 65 °F to 95 °F. Well-drained and friable soil, rich in organic matter is considered as best for growing pineapples. Care of pineapple plants becomes important in order to protect them from pests and diseases.
Pineapple Harvesting Time
There are different ways for pineapple harvesting time but the best way to harvest is to allow them to fall from the tree. Shake the tree and gather the fruit from the ground every couple of days. Keep a tarp or large cloth under the tree to catch the fruit as they fall to prevent bruising. Peak season for fresh pineapple is from March to July, but it is available year-round in most markets. Also if you don’t have enough patience, we can suggestion these ways for you:
- Pineapples started from suckers typically fruit within 18 months. Pineapples usually flower approximately six months before the fruit is ready to harvest.
- Watch for color changes. Pineapple is ready to pick when it begins to turn yellow. The eyes at the base of the pineapple change color first. As the pineapple continues to ripen, the yellow coloring will rise up the fruit.
- Check for ripeness by smelling the pineapple. A ripe pineapple will have a strong pineapple smell, whereas an immature fruit produces very little smell. This method may not work if you have multiple pineapples planted near each other in various stages of ripening. The fruit should be plump, feel heavy and have a strong sweet, but not fermented,
- Use your finger to tap the side of the fruit. A ripe pineapple will sound solid, while an immature fruit will sound hollow.
- Discard pineapples that are reddish bronze in color, smell fermented, have wrinkled skin or are very soft when pressed. This indicates over-ripeness and may even mean the pineapple is rotten.
- Some people judge freshness, ripeness and quality by tapping a finger against the side of the fruit. A good, ripe pineapple has a dull, solid sound while immaturity and poor quality are indicated by a hollow thud.
How to Storage Pineapple
- Not Yet Ripe
We can keep it at room temperature and away from heat and sun, for too long if it isn’t yet ripe.
- Ripe
When the pineapple becomes ripe its color is green or yellow-gold, depending on the variety. We should know the fresh pineapple is quite perishable if kept at room temperature for too long so we only can store at room temperature for two days. The best way for storage, we can extend the lifespan five to seven days by refrigerating the whole pineapple in a perforated thin plastic bag.
Pineapple & Nutrients
The pineapple is one of the most popular fruits in between people (It is the second most popular tropical fruit). Pineapple is a rich source of high nutrition, minerals (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, man genus, Phosphorous, Potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc, copper), vitamins (A, B, C, E, K), protein, dietary fiber, antioxidants. So the Pineapple can help and raise the immune system against diseases.
Fresh pineapple is low in calories. Its flesh contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.
Per 100 g of Pineapple fruit includes:
Minerals: Potassium – 150 mg, Calcium – 18 mg, Iron – 0.29 mg, Copper – 0.181 mcg, Manganese – 1.53 mg, Magnesium – 20 mg , Zinc – 0.2 mg, Sodium- 2 mg, Selenium – 0.2 mcg, Phosphorous – 13 mg.
Vitamins: Vitamin C – 78.9 mg, Vitamin A – 96 IU, Vitamin B9 (Folate) – 30 mcg, Pantothenic acide – 0.351 mg, Vitamin B1 (Tiamina)- 0.13 mg, Niacina – 0.825, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine) – 0.185 mg Vitamin E – 0.03 mg, Vitamin K – 1.2 mcg.
Principle: Calorie – 50 Kcal, Protein – 0.54 g, Carbohydrates – 13.52 g, Total Fat – 0.12 g, Dietary Fiber – 1.40 g, Cholesterol – 0 mg.
Therefore, the pineapple can help and raise the immune system against diseases.
Pineapple & Protections from Disease
The pineapple is rich and excellent source of high nutrients so it can be useful for our health and can also help or treat some diseases
Minerals
Iron: Iron is an essential mineral used to transport oxygen to all parts of our body. A slight deficiency of iron causes anemia (fatigue/weakness) and a chronic deficiency can lead to organ failure. Conversely, too much iron leads to production of harmful free radicals, and interferes with metabolism causing damage to organs like the heart and liver. Fruits and vegetables including pineapple are good sources of iron. They can help to increase the absorption of iron into the body also the most of them (Pineapple, Banana, Mango and etc.) are moderate sources for us so the body can well regulate iron.
Potassium: Pineapple fruit is a good source of potassium; Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; it thus offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases. Potassium plays an important role in cellular potential. The action potential of cells controls the contractions and relaxation of cells like muscles. Potassium is also important for neuron activity. Potassium is also important for action balance in the fluid between cells. The amount of potassium in the body controls the absorption and balance of calcium.
Magnesium: Magnesium is one essential mineral that has important role in the body. This mineral supports the function of every organ in the body, helps the body digest food and extract energy. It supports bone health, helps with muscle contraction, and heart health and etc. We can get magnesium from fruits and vegetables simply. The pineapple fruit is a good source for us.
Calcium: Is there calcium source in the fruits or vegetables? This question is important for most of people especially for vegans or those have a raw food diet. This mineral is necessary for the growth and maintenance of strong teeth and bones, nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and secretion of certain hormones and enzymes. A deficiency in calcium can lead to numbness in fingers and toes, muscle cramps, convulsions, lethargy, loss of appetite, and abnormal heart rhythm. Some fruits are moderate source of calcium including pineapple. This fruit is a good source for this requirement.
Vitamins
Vitamin C: Pineapple is a rich source in vitamin C. Pineapple’s vitamin C is one of the most important and the main vitamins in the body. This popular vitamin has important role that we can only mention a few of them for you: Pineapple’s vitamin C can fight off viruses that cause cough and colds. Vitamin C has important roles in enhancing the immune system function. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects our bodies from free radicals that can cause oxidative stress and lead to a host of severe medical conditions. Also it can reduce the chances of gum inflammation and other gum diseases and etc.
Pantothenic acid: Few data exist on the Pantothenic acid content of foods. This vitamin has central role in metabolism. Pineapple has high level of this mineral in the between fruits and vegetables.
Folate: Drinking or eating pineapple during pregnancy can help prevent nightly muscle cramps, improve the micro-circulation in legs, and prevent calcium deficiencies and constipation. In addition, the suitable content in folate of pineapple is a good way to protect the health of mother and baby during pregnancy while helping prevent birth defects.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): The pineapple is a good source of vitamin B3 (Niacin). This vitamin is an essential nutrient that must be provided in your diet. It has role in producing energy from dietary carbohydrates and is an essential vitamin required for processing fat in the body, lowering cholesterol levels, and regulating blood sugar levels. A deficiency of niacin leads to pellagra. Even a slight deficiency of niacin can lead to irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, fatigue, restlessness, apathy, and depression.
Principle
Calorie: Pineapple is one of the most nutrient-rich fruits. You get the best balance of nutrients per calorie (the most nutrients for the fewest calories) from pineapple. Pineapple’s low sugar and high fiber content means it will not create a strong insulin rush like other fruit with high sugar contents. So the body will not respond by storing fat.
Protein: Fruits aren’t high and rich sources of protein against the usual protein foods like fish and etc. But some certain fruits have far more protein than others including: 100 g of Pineapple fruit has 54 g proteins. This content is good for us of a fruit. Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Pineapple Uses
Medical application
Home remedies and folk medicines: Natives of many countries use pineapple’s flower, skin, flesh, juice and etc. for different remedies including: Nigerians natives used fresh fruit juice of pineapple fruit to overcome some of the effects of diabetes and believed that hot water extract of dried bark was of immense help in treating arthritis.USA natives: used its fresh juice as a blood purifier. Malaysians natives used its flower as abortificient.
Help and treat most of the diseases: The Pineapple is a popular fruit with excellent and delicious flavor in between people. This fruit is rich source of high nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and etc. So this valuable fruit can be useful for our body immune system which we mentioned thoroughly for you.
Culinary uses
Pineapple fruit contents have higher economic value than the pineapple skin. The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in various foods, drinks, desserts around the world. Even pineapple’s powder uses as a nutritive garnish in various consumptions.
Importer and Distributor of the Pineapple
Ario Co is one of the main importers and distributors of fresh fruit with high quality in Iran country. Our company was founded in1985 and our main purpose is buying and importing products with high quality to be provided customers satisfaction. We are the main distributor of various products including Banana, Pineapple, Mango and etc for the Iran markets, wholesale markets, distributors, retailers and supermarket chains. Ario co works in close relationship with European or Asian growers and farmers from all over the world using sustainable farming standards, especially GLOBALGAP, BRC, HACCP and ISO. We have the reputation of being serious fresh fruit importer in Iran.
Our primary product range is wide and varied and we only import necessary produce demanded by the Iran market and customers. All areas of our business are subject to continual review ensuring that Ario co maintains its position as a trusted fresh fruit importer and supplier. Aligned with strict quality management, handling procedures and links with trusted logistical providers we are able to ensure that our products arrive at destination in the very best conditions. Our stated objective is to grow the market through quality products, innovation and grower education.