Herb. No. 218 · Bromeliaceae
Paraná-Paraguay origin; a plantation fruit of the hot world.
Native · South America
Native Also grown
LegalGentleplant
Pineapple
Ananas comosus
A South American bromeliad that wears a crown — a ripe yellow flesh, and a core that is fiber, not a cleanse.
Pineapple is a South American bromeliad. Traditional Tupi-Guarani use is as ripe fruit. Culinary ripe flesh is the path. Bromelain tenderizes meat and your tongue if you overdo raw juice. A green grocery fruit will sweeten a little on the counter but was mostly picked for travel. The crown will root as a houseplant; fruiting it north is a long joke.
Flavor
Sweet acid, tropical resin. Underripe is a sting. Overripe is vinegar.
Parts used
Ripe flesh
Helpful
- A true tropical flavor
- The crown is a free houseplant
Cautions
- Raw juice stings a sore mouth
- A northern fruiting is rare
- Skin tea is a fad