Although pineapples are thought of a fruit (and a fruit typically comes from bushes—until it’s a berry), pineapples really develop on a plant near the bottom. Every pineapple plant bears precisely one pineapple. So the place did pineapple come from within the first place?
The Historical past of Pineapples
Most of us consider pineapples as coming from Hawaii, however that is not the case. Pineapples are a member of the bromeliad household, which is indigenous to the Americas (largely South America) however has been present in Africa as nicely. By far essentially the most well-known plant within the bromeliad household, pineapples have been first introduced over to Spain by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
The pineapple—which isn’t any relation to pine bushes or apples—received its identify by way of the mix of the Spanish “pina” (so named as a result of it reminded them of a pine cone) and the English “apple” (so named due to its candy style).
Again in Europe within the seventeenth century, pineapples have been grown in greenhouses and have been an emblem of opulence and wealth, solely adorning the banquet tables of the very wealthy. Quick-forward to right now, and pineapples are in every single place.
How did it make this transition? A tropical fruit, pineapples symbolized the unique world, and would usually be introduced residence to North America by sailors from their South American journeys. However even into the 1800s, a pineapple was nonetheless a novelty to most Individuals. It was not till the mid-1700s when Capt. James Prepare dinner launched the pineapple to Hawaii and at last, in 1903, when James Drummond Dole began canning pineapple, the pineapple turned readily accessible to Individuals.
Develop a Pineapple
So how precisely does a pineapple develop? Fairly simply, really. A pineapple begins and ends as the identical product—that’s to say, you want a pineapple to develop a pineapple. Pineapples don’t actually have usable seeds, so pineapple vegetation begin from the pineapple itself, or extra particularly, from the leafy high.
In a tropical local weather, a pineapple head might be positioned straight into the bottom. In much less tropical climates, pineapples might be planted in pots inside your house. Sure, you’ll be able to really develop your individual pineapple! Right here’s an incredible video on how one can do it.
Simply be affected person, although. As soon as the pineapple head takes root, it’ll take two to a few years earlier than it begins bearing fruit. It’ll develop to be nearly 4 ft excessive by 4 ft vast. As soon as it has matured, a big flower will develop in the course of the plant and ultimately get replaced by a pineapple itself. As soon as the pineapple is harvested, a brand new fruit will develop instead the next 12 months. Numerous work for one pineapple.
So, in case you resolve that route is not for you, you should purchase one as an alternative. If you’re within the grocery store and choosing a pineapple, ensure that to search for one which’s plump and agency, and one with leaves which are recent and inexperienced.