Piet Pieterszoon Hein has rightly described pineapple by relating it to love as both are undefinable yet sweet.
Pineapples have a very intimidating taste that can just blow away all worries occupying your mind. However, many people wonder how does pineapple grow?
Do they grow on trees?
Do they have seeds?
And such unending questions about the exotic fruit that’s flavor can enhance your cakes, cocktails, and even eaten raw.
The taste of pineapple is undefinable as it is a mix of fruity, acidic, vegetative, vanilla-like, and a blend of many more.
But the mystery about the presence of seeds and growth methods is still a question for many. This article is generally around everything about pineapples but specifically about answering the most-asked questions about pineapples.
So let’s get into it.
Fun Facts About Pineapple
Before we get into the serious business of exploring everything about pineapples, here are some facts or fun facts about pineapples that you will love to know:
- Pineapple is as old as the end of the 13th century. It has always been a part of the human diet for the last 6 centuries.
- A single plant of pineapple grows only 1 pineapple in a whole season
- Costa Rica is famous for its pineapples, providing 75% of Europe’s pineapple needs.
- The life of a pineapple plant is 50 years, and it means you can get 50 plants at max from a single plant.
- Hawaii has the largest dole plantation pineapple garden maze with an area of around three acres.
- Pineapple is neither an apple nor a pine; it’s a berry instead (if you’ve noticed the structure, you would know)
- The largest pineapple grown in the world was in 2011 by Christine McCollum in Australia. The weight of this pineapple was 28kg.
- 1/3 of the world’s pineapple needs are fulfilled by Hawaii alone.
- The only edible plant in the family of Bromeliads is pineapple.
- The ripening process of the pineapple fastens when kept upside down.
Origin And Anatomy
Let’s talk a little about the origin and anatomy of pineapples.
The plant is native to South America,
and it’s the only edible fruit in the family of Bromeliads. The plant has been cultivated in South America for centuries and was introduced to Europe in the 17th century.
After its arrival in other parts of the world, commercial growth started in greenhouses worldwide.
If we talk about the botany of Pineapples, it’s a perennial plant that gives only one pineapple per season.
The plant has a stocky stem, short length, and tough, waxy leaves. During the process of fruit making, around 200 flowers turn into a single fruit. If there is a large-fruited cultivar, it can have flowers of more than 200 as well.
The binomial name of pineapple, ananas comosus, was given in 1568. The name was originated from Hoyriri, a fruit cultivated by the Tupinamba people. He gave the name ‘nana’ or ‘nanas’ to the fruit. The name pineapple was adopted by an English writer, Mandeville, in 1714.
The wild species of pineapples are believed to be originated from Southern Brazil and Paraguay. From there, the crop was spread to other parts of South America as well. Columbus introduced the pineapples to European people at the end of the 15th century, and it was brought to India by Portuguese people in 1550.
After the 19th century, the fruit’s commercialization increased, including Smooth Cayenne’s introduction, the most successful variety of pineapples grown worldwide.
The variety was imported to France, re-exported to Uk, and then introduced to Australia and Africa via Hawaii.
James Dole started a 24-hectare pineapple plantation in 1900 that proved to be a major milestone in establishing Dole Food Company.
Several commercial companies like Dole, Del Monte, etc., have been growing pineapples on a large scale the Philippines, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Islands of Mindanao, South American countries, etc., are popular for the commercial farming of the fruit to provide for the worldwide needs.
Do Pineapples Have Seeds?
Now to the most asked question:
Do pineapples have seeds?
If we answer the question as yes, it makes sense because pineapple is clearly a fruit. However, this answer might confuse you. You will wonder that the pineapple you got from the grocery store clearly didn’t have any seeds.
Why is it so?
The genetic modifications and hybridization of the plant have resulted in the form of pineapple that is commercially produced.
What if we tell you that the fruit you consume is not actually the real pineapple? It is just a mutated version to meet consumer needs of mass production.
The pineapples’ riper, juicier, and sweeter taste is due to their hybridization. Besides, this also allows the farmers to grow it in various weather and soil conditions. In other words, the pineapple we eat is just a version to give a better user experience.
Oh, let’s get back to answering the question about seeds.
You know that pineapples do have seeds but which ones?
Wild pineapples do have seeds, but it’s harder to find them. In fact, if you find one, you might get confused about its being pineapple.
The reason is the different taste and looks of these pineapples as compared to the modern commercial variants.
Commercial Pineapples are different and more loved; wild pineapples are still important to reproduce new fruits and plants.
The wild pineapples have almost 30 to 50 seeds in every fruit. The attractive look of commercial pineapples is also a missing factor in the wild ones.
Is It Safe To Eat Pineapple Seeds?
Well, the good thing is that pineapple seeds are edible. Although, pineapples with seeds are not a common thing to find.
However, if you get one, you might be confused about whether to eat the seeds or not. No toxicity is associated with the consumption of pineapple seeds.
So you don’t have to worry about seeds if you eat any. However, you don’t have to make intentional efforts to eat the seeds.
Can We Eat Wild Pineapples?
Well, you can eat the wild pineapples. But be cautious about the higher acidic levels. The high acidic levels of the fruit can cause a lot of problems for you.
Consumption of wild pineapples might cause throat burning sensation or lip and tongue irritation. Besides, the flavor of the wild pineapples is not as refreshing as the commercial ones.
You can eat the wild pineapples if you find the taste fulfilling to your taste buds. Don’t be too casual with wild pineapples, as it’s necessary to save yourself from negative oral experience post-consumption.
How are Pineapples Grown?
You might not be looking to grow pineapple for yourself. But if you like to grow, here are three methods commonly used for growing pineapples:
- Growing Pineapple from Slice
- Growing Pineapple from Seeds
- Buying a Pineapple Plant
Whichever method you use, you must be clear that pineapples do not grow on the trees. Instead, they grow out of a leafy plant, not usually very tall.
Each pineapple fruit is grown out of the top of the central stem. As we talked about previously, 100 flowers are converted into fruit through the whole process of pineapple growth. The height of a pineapple plant can be as long as 5 feet or 1.5 meters.
Health Benefits of Pineapple
And finally, let’s talk a little about the health benefits of pineapple.
The fruit is packed with a lot of nutrients like Vitamin B6, manganese, fiber, vitamin C, and a lot of other nutrients. Some of the most acclaimed benefits of eating pineapple fruit are as follows:
- Pineapple is enriched with the rare enzyme bromelain that helps in healing your body’s tissues and skins. The enzyme helps in promoting substances beneficial for fighting pain and swelling. Therefore, eating a lot of pineapples can help you recover faster after an injury or surgery.
- The fiber content in the pineapple makes it a supportive fruit that improves the digestion of food. Besides, bromelain is also helpful for digestion.
- The pineapples are packed with anti-inflammatory properties as well. It makes them excellent for relieving pain in arthritis or joint pains. Besides, the anti-inflammation properties of the fruit also suppress the growth of certain tumors, etc.
Did you know pineapples are a great weight loss booster? Animal research studies have shown the positive impact of pineapples on weight loss.
Besides, it is also good for post-workout recovery. And against this aid is also due to its anti-inflammatory properties. So you can add pineapple smoothie to your post-workout routine.
Final Words
Unquestionably, pineapple is a great fruit and an amazing diet pleasure consumed around the world. We have answered most questions queries about pineapples along with tons of other useful information about the fruit.
In the end, we only want to say that,
‘A pineapple a day keeps the worries away.’
If it’s a season, you should not dare to miss the fresh fruit. Besides, canned one is always an open option to add to your diet.