Sweet pineapple (per unit)

The pineapple is a clearly a tropical crop that today is the second most cultivated tropical fruit surpassed only by the banana. It accounts for about 20% of all commercial cultivation of tropical fruits. 70% is consumed fresh while the rest is canned in syrup where it is consumed mainly in temperate countries. This practice began in Hawaii in the eighteenth century.

The main producing countries of sweet pineapple are Brazil, Thailand, Costa Rica, the Philippines, China and India. Among these 6 countries they grow 50% of world production reaching the rest of the world.

History and origin of Fresh pineapple

The origin of the sweet pineapple is uncertain because many sources place it in South America with studies that speak of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil as the originating countries. This theory dates its origin in the birth of the Plata basin from where it spread to the Amazon and to the area of ​​Venezuela and the Guianas. The Mochica cultivated them in 200 AC in Peru appearing represented in their pottery. In the sixteenth century it spread to Europe and tropical areas of Africa and Asia.

However there is another theory about the African origin of this fruit which later spread to America.

The name pineapple was granted by the similarity with pine seed. Ananas is the name given by the Indians to mean excellent fruit.

Properties and benefits of sweet pineapples

Pineapple is one of the ten most collected fruits in the world and pineapple benefits include the following:

• It is rich in Vitamins A, B, C and E providing magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium etc.
• Anti-oxidant: eliminates free radicals.
• It helps eliminate fluid retention due to its diuretic properties.
• Ideal to keep the body in shape by eliminating lipid meals.
• Healing, tonic and digestive favouring the intestinal transit.
• Protects teeth and gums by eliminating bacteria from the mouth.
• Reduces blood sugar levels.
• Improves immune status and thus the general welfare etc.

Approximate weight: 1.5 - 2.5 kg