Did you know?
Pineapples are a very popular tropical delicacy, but do you really know much about them?
Christopher Columbus
In 1493, Christopher Columbus introduced the pineapple to Europe. Brought from the Caribbean island of Guadalupe, it was known as “Pina de Indes”, meaning “pine of the Indians”.
Symbol of friendship and welcome
As well as being eaten, pineapples were often hung by the entrance to a dwelling as a symbol of friendship and welcome.
Grown from a cutting
New plants are grown from cuttings – the top (or crown) of a pineapple can be removed and replanted in the soil.
Growing time
Once the cutting has been planted, it takes 14 months or so before the pineapple is ready for harvesting.
Plants per hectare
Up to 70,000 pineapple plants can be grown on 1 hectare of land.
Done by hand
Some of the harvesting process can be mechanised - a tractor and trailer is often used to transport the harvested pineapples to the packing shed, for example - but planting, husbandry and cutting operations are done by hand.
Supersweet
Fyffes Gold pineapples are of the Supersweet variety and they are not harvested until they are ripe. You can buy them with confidence, knowing that they are ready to eat regardless of the colour of the skin!