History of Pineapples

Pineapples are a fruit, we all love to eat. Pineapple food recipes are most delicious; but not many of us know the origin of this fruit. The word 'pineapple' is said to have been first mentioned in English language in 1398. It was named pineapple because of its pine-cone shape and juicy nature. The botanical name is Ananas comosus.

The pineapple fruit is believed to be originated in Paraguay and southern Brazil. It was later cultivated throughout South America by the natives, before it reached the Caribbean. In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the pineapple fruit on the Caribbean island of Guadalupe. When the second voyage of reached the Caribbean island, Columbus's crew went ashore to the Carib village, they found heaps of freshly gathered vegetables and fruits, including pineapples. Christopher Columbus decided to take them back with him.

When Colombus introduced pineapples to Europe, they became very popular. During those times, pineapples literally crowned the most important banquets. They were often held aloft on special pedestals. Ships brought the preserved pineapples from the Caribbean islands like expensive ornaments. The fresh pineapple fruit was even more costly and difficult to obtain as only few faster ships could deliver fresh pineapples in a good condition, and that also if the fruit could survive the climate. Pineapples became a celebrity fruit and a curiosity for epicureans and horticulturists as well.

It is believed that the Spanish introduced the first pineapples to Hawaii, in 1527, on the Big Island. Then, it is believed to have spread in Asia and West Indies. It took two centuries of efforts for the European gardeners to be able to find a method for growing the pineapple plants. Thus, up to the 16th century, the pineapple remained uncommon.

Pineapple became an integral part of the coat of arms (official symbol of a particular family or state), of the colony of Jamaica, in 1661. People also started considering the pineapple fruit as a symbol of England's American colonies. It was an honor to be treated with the display of pineapple-topped food. People who could not afford buy it, used to rent it for the occasion. Some people even re-sold it to others, once their purpose had been accomplished. So, in this way, the pineapple fruit, eventually became a symbol of hospitality and friendship. It obviously attracted the attention of architects, artisans and craftsmen, who incorporated big copper and brass pineapples in the wind vanes of important buildings. They also engraved wooden pineapples into door headers, stenciled them on walls and canvas mats. People made tablecloths, napkins, carpets and draperies woven with pineapple designs and had them cast into metal hot plates. Eventually, people succeeded in cultivating pineapples. The cultivation of pineapples began in European hothouses in early 1720s. Even, George Washington liked pineapples, when he tested the fruit, in 1751.

An Englishman Captain John Kidwell started commercial development of the pineapple. He tested a variety of pineapples and finally selected the Smooth Cayenne in 1880. But, the United States collected a high tariff on canned pineapples, because of this, canned pineapples was an unprofitable business. In 1898, Captain Kidwell had to close his business. Surprisingly, Hawaii became a part of the US and tariff on canned pineapples was reduced the same year.

In 1899, James Dole arrived in Hawaii, and a year later, he started a pineapple plantation in Wahiawa. In 1901, Dole also built the first pineapple cannery. He was commonly known as the 'Pineapple King'. Canned pineapple which was first introduced in 1901, wasn’t widely available. In 1911, Henry Ginaca, an engineer, successfully invented a machine that could remove the outer shell of the pineapple. The machine was capable of removing the outer shell, inner core and both ends of 100 pineapples, within a minute. Dole bought this machine, which helped his business to grow tremendously. In 1922, James Dole bought the island of Lanai, where he cultivated the largest pineapple plantation in the world. There, he grew 75 percent of the total world supply of pineapples, in its peak years. By 1950, one-third of world's pineapple production and 60 percent of the world's canned pineapple was produced in Hawaii. James Dole passed away in 1958, but even today the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, is still known worldwide, as the Dole Food Company. But unfortunately, its production is reduced to the just 10 percent of the world's pineapple output. Apart from Hawaii, China, Mexico, Thailand, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Philippines and Costa Rica are other countries contributing to the pineapple industry.

Pineapple is a fruit, which is free from fat and cholesterol. It is rich in Vitamin C. Though, nowadays, it is very easily obtained, it is still a popular fruit.