PINEAPPLE
Scientific name: Ananas comosus.

Occurrence
The major areas of cultivation are found in the Amazon and in the Northeast region of Brazil.

Harvest Period
From March to October (Amazon) and from August to December (Northeast).

History
Derived from the south of South America, the pineapple was diffused through America by the Guarani Indians. Presented to the Europeans by the American Indians, the pineapple got fame and admiration in the Old World.

In England, at 17th century, it was growth in green houses. In Spain it was adopted by the king Dom Fernando as his favorite fruit. In Brazil, the Portuguese knew it as “ananás”.

Because of its easy cultivation and its high adaptation to tropical areas, nowadays pineapple is growth in countries like China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Curiosities
The pineapple, considered an entire fruit, is in fact an agglomerate of small little fruits. Each one of its “scales” or “eyes” is an independent fruit that is fused in one, called infruitescense. The pineapple has bromelin, an enzyme that dissolves proteins.

That is why the juice of this fruit is largely used as a natural meat softener. It is believed that this enzyme is responsible for the anti-inflammatory reaction and healing of the tissues. The pineapple is ripe when its leaves come off easily.

Nutrients
Vitamin A
Vitamins B (B1, B2 and B3)
Vitamin C
Calcium
Iron
Potassium