Here Is Everything We Need To Know About PINEAPPLE – (Recipe To Make Pineapple Drink)

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an incredibly delicious and healthy tropical fruit that is rich in enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants. It has a combination of a sweet and tart taste. And despite its sweet taste, it is actually low in calories. Pineapples are members of the bromeliad family, and one of the few bromeliads to produce edible fruit.

The Pineapples are also incredibly versatile and can be consumed in a variety of ways. The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in cuisines around the world. In many tropical countries (Guyana) pineapple is prepared and sold on roadsides as a snack. The skin of the pineapple is used to make a drink.  The flesh is used to make jam. Pineapple can be found in supermarkets, markets and stalls in Guyana.

Pineapples – Photo By umstwit(https://www.flickr.com/photos/40994455@N06/36118704214)

Origin Of Pineapple

Originally indigenous to local Paraguayans in South America, it spread from its native land by the local Indians up through the South and Central Americas and to the West Indies. Later, it was brought to Spain when Columbus discovered Americas’ in 1493. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it spread to rest of the world by the European sailors (just like tomatoes) who carried it along with them to protect themselves from scurvy, a disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin-C.

Description Of Pineapple

It is a herbaceous and perennial plant which measures 3.3 to 4.9 feet tall. Plants have a short and stocky stem which bears tough and waxy leaves. Each plant can produce up to two hundred (200) flowers. When the first fruit is produced, side shoots form in the leaf axils of the main stem. The leaves are long, trough-shaped, narrow with a sharp spine on margins about thirty to one hundred (30-100) cm long encircling a thick stem. The colour of the flower varies which depends on variety from light purple to red. It consists of many long pointed bracts having three petalled flowers in their axils. Flowers turn into fruits without being pollinated. Ovaries form into berries which is large, compact and multiple accessory fruit. Fruits are organized in two interlocking helices, eight in one direction and thirteen in other. Fruits have roughly diamond-shaped with flattened sides.

The 4 Types Of Pineapple

1. Smooth cayenne – The graceful cayenne pineapple is certainly the most famous of all of the types because of its lower dietary fibre content, ailment resistance, wealthy flavour, juiciness along with reduced acidic content. It features a yellow-coloured inside as well as orange outside and is also mostly utilized for processed pineapple. It really is referred to as smooth cayenne because of its beginning in Cayenne, French Guyana, and since it provides an even skin along with hardly any sticking out spines.
2. Abacaxi – Abacaxi is definitely the Portuguese term for pineapple. The abacaxi can also be referred to as Pernambuco pineapple which is typical selection of Brazil. The fruit may differ extensively in weight from 2.2 to 11 lbs., and is also extremely disease proof, having a spiny external. The fruit usually includes a tiny core, along with white or even very pale yellow flesh and is also undoubtedly one of a lot more scrumptious types. The abacaxi is frequently very soft for industrial handling and shipping.
3. Red Spanish – It features a spiny, red-orange external, varies from 3 to 6 lbs. which has a squarish design, pale yellow fibrous flesh, fragrant as well as delicious acid taste.  This particular selection is cultivated in Florida, the West Indies, Cuba, and also Puerto Rico.
4. Queen – The queen pineapple is grown in South Africa, Australia as well as the Philippines. It’s really a smaller sized, more compact range which usually varies in weight from 1 to 2 1/2 lbs. It’s a cold- as well as disease-resistant range along with deep yellow flesh along with a conical form. The fruit is succulent as well as aromatic along with tiny soluble fibre.

Nutritional Value Of Pineapple

One cup of fresh pineapple chunks provides you with 40 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, 10 percent for thiamin, 8 percent for vitamin B6, 6 percent for magnesium and 4 percent for folate, iron, riboflavin and niacin. Pineapple is also a good source for manganese and copper. A cup of pineapple contains only 80 calories, provides 2 g of fibre and 1 g of protein; it doesn’t contain any fat.

Here Are 14 Health Benefits Of Pineapple

1. Protects Against Cough and Cold – Vitamin C in pineapples helps to protect against cold and cough viruses. Bromelain, an antioxidant suppresses coughs and loosens coughs and drinking pineapple juice treats a sore throat.
2. Bone Health -. Antioxidants contain manganese which he’s to build bones and tissues so regularly consuming pineapple can help with strong bones and healthy skin.
3. Gums – A high Vitamin C content in pineapples protects against scurvy, a gum disease that causes gum bleeding.
4. Macular Degeneration – The regular consumption of pineapples lowers the risk of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) because it contains beta carotene.
5. Digestion – Bromelain enzyme contained in pineapples helps in the digestion of food by breaking down protein and neutralizing fluids.
6. Pain and Inflammation – Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties that help with pain, discomfort and inflammation.
7. Kidney Health – Pineapple contains potassium, a nutrient that helps to maximize the functioning of the kidneys.
8. Menstrual Disorders – Bromelain provides relief from painful menstruation.
9. Soft Skin – Pineapple helps to soften and cleanse the skin.
10. Anti-ageing – Collagen in Vitamin C may help to reduce wrinkles.
11. Wrinkles – Preparing a paste of pineapple, egg white and honey and applying it to the neck may reduce wrinkles.
12. Pimples and Blackheads – A paste of pineapple juice, aloe vera gel applied to the face may prevent pimples and blackheads.
13. Oily Skin -The excess oil on your skin can be controlled with a paste of pineapple juice and gram flour.
14. Good Hair Conditioner – A paste of grated coconut, fenugreek seed powder and 2 teaspoons pineapple juice produces a great hair conditioner as it stimulates hair growth.

Caution: Consuming green pineapple or drinking the juice of the same can be dangerous. Unripe, it is toxic and can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

Facts About Pineapple

• The word “pineapple,” derived from the Spanish word piña, was first used in 1398 to refer to a pinecone. This changed about 300 years later, with the word “pinecone”. This allowed for “pineapple” to be used only for the fruit.
• Pineapples were discovered by Europeans in 1493 on the Caribbean island of Guadalupe.
• Early attempts by Europeans to cultivate the fruit failed. However, they soon realized that the fruit needs a tropical climate to flourish. By the end of the 16th century, Portuguese and Spanish explorers introduced pineapples into their Asian, African and South Pacific colonies.
• Pineapples are very perishable, so fresh pineapples were rare fruits for early American colonists. When glazed, pineapples were a treat, and fresh pineapple was a symbol of prestige and social class.
• Pineapples were first cultivated in Hawaii in the 18th century. Hawaii is the only U.S. state in which they are still grown.
• Thailand, the Philippines, China, Brazil and Mexico are countries that grow pineapples commercially.
• Every piece if pineapple is made useof in pineapple canneries.

Pineapple Drink – Guyanese Style

Ingredients:

• pineapple skin, cut
• water
• sugar to taste
• cinnamon, stick

Method:

1. Put peels in a pot of water overnight.
2. The next day, remove peels, strain and boil.
3. Add sugar and cinnamon and stir.
4. Allow to cool and serve cold with ice.

About Pineapple

Pineapples are delicious, low in calories and loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. They are also incredibly versatile and can be consumed in a variety of ways. It can be found in various markets, supermarkets throughout Guyana. It is incorporated into a number of dishes and the skin of the pineapple is used in making the drink. So in order to experience their health benefits, try incorporating pineapples into your diet.

Article References:

• https://www.healthbeckon.com/pineapple-benefits/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple
• https://www.livescience.com/45487-pineapple-nutrition.html
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276903#nutrition
• https://www.stabroeknews.com/2017/09/02/the-scene/tastes-like-home/august-holidays-part-1-pine-drink/
• http://www.thaipineapple.org/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=538719866#:~:text=In%20the%2018th%20century%2C%20pineapples,Brazil%2C%20Mexico%2C%20and%20etc.

Last Updated: 2020-07-24