Pineapple
Pineapples are sweet tropical fruits that are packed full of vitamins and minerals!
Pineapples are tropical fruits that grow on plants close to the ground. They have spikey skin, spikey green leaves on top and a bright yellow and edible flesh. It is sold whole and fresh, pre-cut, canned and dried. Pineapple is used as a flavouring for juices, ice cream, yogurt, and in cocktails.
Fun fact – Pineapples are made up of groups of fruit that have fused together. This technically makes it a berry.
How to check if a pineapple is ripe
- Select a leaf in the centre and pull on it gently. If it comes out easily, it’s ready!
- Check the exterior, if the skin is a yellow colour it’s ripe! Pineapples start off green and turn a golden colour from the bottom up as they ripen. Choose a pineapple that has a uniform yellow colour. If its gone dark orange it may be overripe.
- If your pineapple smells fruity and sweet, it’s ready to eat (like the rhyme?)! If there isn’t a distinct smell it may need more time, on the opposite end o the spectrum if it has a vinegary smell it’s probably past its best!
Pineapple Recipes
- Pineapple is used in many desserts. Upside-down cake is baked in a single pan with pineapple circles on the bottom of the pan, it is them flipped.
- Pineapple pizza (also known as a Hawaiian pizza) Even though it sparks outrage in some was the most popular pizza popping in Australia in 1999!
- Pineapple is used in stir-fries with, it’s great with chicken and vegetables like bell peppers and broccoli.
- Fresh pineapple or pineapple juice is also a great addition to smoothies.
Pineapple Nutritional Information
Pineapples have a low calories content, there are only about 50 calories per 100g. Not only that but pineapples are packed with vitamins and minerals!
They are high in vitamin C and manganese. Vitamin C is known as an ‘essential vitamin’ because it can’t be produced by the body.
Pineapple is also a source of important vitamins and minerals, including; thiamin, riboflavin. vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene and other antioxidants
Pineapple is completely safe, to eat during pregnancy. You may have heard that pineapple may cause miscarriage or induce labour. However, this is completely false!
