The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant. The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple to Europe in the 17th century made it a significant cultural icon of luxury. Since the 1820s, pineapple has been commercially grown in greenhouses and many tropical plantations.
Pineapples grow as a small shrub; the individual flowers of the non pollinated plant fuse to form a Multiple fruit. The plant is normally propagated from the offset produced at the top of the fruit, or from a side shoot, and typically mature within a year.
The pineapple is a Herbaceous Perennial, which grows to 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall, although sometimes it can be taller. The plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves. When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some large-fruited cultivars can exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruits of the flowers join together to create a Multiple fruit. After the first fruit is produced, side shoots (called 'suckers' by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf of the main stem. These suckers may be removed for propagation, or left to produce additional fruits on the original plant. Commercially, suckers that appear around the base are cultivated. It has 30 or more narrow, fleshy, trough-shaped leaves that are 30 to 100 cm (1 to 3.5 ft) long, surrounding a thick stem; the leaves have sharp spines along the margins. In the first year of growth, the axis lengthens and thickens, bearing numerous leaves in close spirals. After 12 to 20 months, the stem grows into a spike-like inflorescence up to 15 cm (6 in) long with over 100 spirally arranged, 3-merous flowers, each subtended by a bract.
The ovaries develop into berries, which coalesce into a large, compact, multiple fruit. The fruit of a pineapple is usually arranged in two interlocking helices, often with 8 in one direction and 13 in the other, each being a Fibonacci number.
Pineapples are tropical fruits that are rich in vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. They may help boost the immune system, build strong bones and aid indigestion. Plus, despite their sweetness, pineapples are low in calories.
The nutritional benefits of pineapples are as attractive as their unique anatomy. "Pineapples contain high amounts of vitamin C and manganese," said San Diego-based nutritionist Laura Flores. These tropical fruits are also a good way to get important dietary fiber and bromelain (an enzyme).
For all its sweetness, one cup of pineapple chunks contains only 74 calories, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database . Pineapples are also fat-free, cholesterol-free and low in sodium. Not surprisingly, they do contain sugar, with about 14 grams per cup.
NUTRITION FACTS
Here are the nutrition facts for raw pineapple, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Serving size: 1 cup chunks (165 g)
Amount per serving:
- Calories 74
- Total Fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 2 mg
- Potassium 206 mg
- Total Carbohydrate 19.5 g
- Sugars 13.7 g
- Protein 1g
- Vitamin C 28 mg
- Calcium 21 mg
The nutritional profile for canned pineapple is different from raw pineapple. According to the USDA, canned pineapple is typically higher in calories and higher in sugar. It also contains fewer vitamins and minerals. If you do opt for canned pineapple, try to get it with no added sugar or look for a variety that is canned in fruit juice instead of syrup.
Provides plenty of nutrients
Pineapple is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. One cup of pineapple chunks will deliver:
Vitamin C: You’ll get one-third of your daily value of vitamin C which aids in tissue growth and repair. Vitamin C may also help fight cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
Manganese: Pineapple has more than 100% of your daily value of this essential trace element. Manganese helps with bone formation, immune response and metabolism.
Fiber: Nearly 10% of your daily fiber needs are in one cup of pineapple. “Fiber is necessary for a healthy gut and can help you stave off hunger,” Zumpano says.
B vitamins: Pineapple gives you a healthy dose of several B vitamins, including thiamin, niacin, B6 and folate. These nutrients help your body process energy from the food you eat. They’re also critical to forming new red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your organs and tissues.
Various Minerals: “Pineapple contains several minerals your body needs for proper function, including copper, potassium and magnesium.
Other clues to a juicy pineapple
If you want the best pineapple, you need to check:
Aroma: Sniff the bottom of a pineapple before purchasing it. “A good one will have a fresh, sweet smell,” Zumpano says. Avoid ones that smell funky or vinegar-like or that have no smell at all.
Firmness: A hard pineapple probably isn’t ripe. It should have a little bit of give when you squeeze it, but make sure it’s not soft or mushy.
Leaves: The leaves should look fresh and green, and plucking one should be easy.
Weight: A pineapple should feel heavy for its size. “That indicates that there’s plenty of juice inside”
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