Description
Experience the tropical delight of our pineapple, with its juicy, golden flesh and vibrant flavour perfect for snacking, grilling, blending into smoothies, or adding a sweet twist to savoury dishes. Available in our Local Farm Shop in Bellaghy, Mid Ulster Area.
🍍 The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant known for its distinctive spiky fruit and sweet, tangy flavor. Here’s a breakdown of its features:
🌿 Botanical Characteristics
- Belongs to the Bromeliaceae family.
- Grows as a herbaceous perennial, typically 1–1.5 meters tall.
- Has a rosette of stiff, waxy leaves with sharp spines along the edges.
- Produces a multiple fruit, formed by the fusion of up to 200 individual flowers.
🍍 Fruit Description
- The fruit is cylindrical or oval, with a tough, hexagonal-patterned rind.
- Topped with a leafy crown, which can be used to propagate new plants.
- Flesh ranges from pale yellow to golden, juicy and aromatic.
- Weighs between 1 to 2 kg on average, though larger varieties exist.
🌎 Origin & Cultivation
- Native to South America, especially the region between Brazil and Paraguay.
- Widely cultivated in tropical regions like Costa Rica, Thailand, and the Philippines.
- Grows best in warm, well-drained soils with plenty of sunlight.
🍽️ Uses & Symbolism
- Eaten fresh, juiced, canned, or used in cooking and baking.
- Contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Historically a symbol of hospitality and luxury, especially in colonial Europe.
