Pineapple

**Botanical Information**:
– Pineapple is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows to 1.0 to 1.5m tall.
– The plant produces up to 200 flowers that form a multiple fruit.
– Varieties of pineapple include bracteatus, comosus, erectifolius, microstachys, and parguazensis.
– The scientific binomial name is Ananas comosus.
– Pineapples originated in the Paraná–Paraguay River drainages and were cultivated by Mayas, Aztecs, and encountered by Columbus in 1493.

**Historical Background**:
– Pineapple cultivation dates back to precolonial times in South America.
– The first English reference to pineapple dates to 1568.
– Pineapples were introduced to India by the Portuguese in 1550.
– Columbus brought pineapples to Spain and documented them in historical texts.
– Mass commercialization of pineapples began in the 19th century, with Hawaii becoming a significant producer.

**Nutritional Composition**:
– Raw pineapple is 86% water, 13% carbohydrates, and a rich source of manganese and vitamin C.
– In a 100g serving, pineapple provides 50kcal of energy, 13.12g of carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals.
– Pineapple contains polyphenols, bromelain enzymes, and nutrients like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and potassium.

**Cultivation and Production**:
– Pineapples are grown worldwide, with top producers like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Costa Rica yielding about 3 million tonnes each.
– Flowering can be induced artificially, and new plants can grow from the top of a pineapple.
– Pineapples are typically canned in sugar syrup for storage and transport.
– Ethical and environmental concerns include industrialized plantations, health issues from insecticides, low worker compensation, and encroachment into protected areas.

**Uses and Applications**:
– Culinary uses of pineapple include flesh and juice consumption, snacks, dishes like Hawaiian pizza, and cocktails.
– A. comosus Variegatus is grown as a houseplant, requiring specific care conditions.
– Pineapple varieties like Smooth Cayenne, Hilo, and Kona Sugarloaf offer unique characteristics in flavor and texture.
– Pineapple’s significance in shaping civilizations, cultural cuisines, and symbolic representations of hospitality and luxury throughout history.