Pineapple is a tropical fruit known for its distinctive taste and spiky, rough exterior.

pineapples are a delicious and nutritious fruit enjoyed by many people around the world.

Come check out some exhilarating and well-researched facts about the delicious pineapples.

1.
Originally, "pineapple" was a name used for pine cones.
The word "pineapple," first recorded in 1398, was originally used to describe the reproductive organs of conifer trees (now termed pine cones). When European explorers discovered this tropical fruit, they called them "pineapples" (with the term first recorded in that sense in 1664) because it resembled what we know as pine cones.

2.
Pineapple belongs to the bromeliad family, which includes over 3,000 species of plants.
Pineapple being one of the most well-known and widely cultivated.

3.
The scientific name for pineapple is "Ananas comosus," which comes from the Tupi language.
The Tupi word "nanas" means pine, and "comosus" means tufted.
In Spanish, pineapples are called piña – which you've probably heard of in reference to the piña colada drink.

4.
The Hawaiian word for pineapple is "hala kahiki."

5.
Pineapple trees grow in tropical regions with a warm climate, such as South America, the Caribbean, and various parts of Asia.
Countries like Costa Rica, Indonesia, and the Philippines are renowned for their pineapple production, thanks to their favorable climates and fertile soils.

6.
Each year around 400 billion pineapples are farmed around the world.

Only 300 million of them come from Hawaii, which is about 13% of the global total.

The majority of fresh pineapples sold on the world market are produced in Latin America, with 84% grown in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica grows around 75% of all pineapples sold in Europe.

7.
Pineapple plants grow to around 3.3 to 4.9 ft. (1.0 to 1.5 meters) tall.

8.
Pineapple plants take between 18 and 24 months to flower and produce fruit.
A single pineapple plant produces only one pineapple at a time.

9.
In the wild, pineapple plants can live and produce fruit for 50 years.

10.
Pineapples stop ripening as soon as they are picked, so they should be harvested when fully ripe.

11.
A pineapple is not an apple or pine – it's actually a berry!
Yes, pineapple is considered a type of berry. It is classified as a multiple fruit, which means it develops from the fusion of multiple flowers into a single fruit. The individual "scales" on the surface of a pineapple are actually individual flowers that have fused together.

12.
One cup of pineapple contains 82 calories according to the USDA.

13.
One cup of pineapple chunks contains 78.9 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, which is 88% and 105% of the Daily Value (DV) for adult men and women, respectively.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a vital role in skin health and collagen synthesis. Plus, it can help fight skin damage caused by sun exposure and pollution.

14.
One cup of pineapple has more than half of the manganese you need every day.
Manganese is a mineral found in pineapple that plays a role in bone health, metabolism, and antioxidant defense.

15.
From fresh fruit salads and smoothies to grilled pineapple skewers and savory stir-fries, pineapple is a versatile ingredient that adds a tropical twist to any recipe.

16.
Grilling pineapple brings out its natural sweetness and adds a caramelized flavor to the fruit.

17.
The sweet and tangy flavor of pineapple pairs well with rum, vodka, and other tropical ingredients, making it a popular addition to fruity cocktails.

18.
Pineapples contain an enzyme that breaks down human proteins.
Bromelain in pineapple is a type of enzyme known as a protease, which breaks other proteins apart by cutting the chains of amino acids. Even more specifically, bromelain is a cysteine protease, meaning that it breaks apart proteins wherever they have a cysteine amino acid.
Fortunately, by the time it reaches our intestines, the enzyme is broken down, so we don't have to worry about the pineapple eating away at us.

19.
Due to its bromelain content, pineapple juice or puree can be used as a natural meat tenderizer.

20.
The world's largest pineapple ever recorded weighed a whopping 18.3 lb. (8.28kg)! That's almost as much as a watermelon.
The magnificent fruit was recorded in 2011 and grown by Christine McCallum from Bakewell in Australia.
It measured 12.6 inches (32cm) in length and had a circumference of 26 inches (66cm).

21.
The spiky leaves on top of a pineapple are called "bromeliad rosettes."
The one thing most bromeliads have in common is the rosette formation of the leaves. This rosette can collect and hold rainwater, falling leaves and forest debris from which the plant draws nutrients as they decay.

22.
You can grow pineapple plants by slicing off the top of a store-bought pineapple.
To propagate a pineapple from a grocery store fruit, twist or cut off the leafy top of the plant. Remove some of the lower leaves. Plant the cutting so the leaves are flush or slightly above the soil line, then start watering to keep the soil moist. Roots will start to form in about 8 weeks.

23.
In 2008, Dole Plantation's giant Pineapple Garden Maze was declared the world's largest maze. The maze stretches over three acres and includes nearly two and one-half miles of paths crafted from 14,000 colorful Hawaiian plants.

24.
In many cultures, pineapple is seen as a symbol of welcome and hospitality. It is often used as a decorative element or gift to guests.

Sources
USDA / Banana Link / Dole Plantation / Bim Store / Smithsonian Magazine