Pineapple is one of the most popular tropical fruits – sweet, slightly tart, and extremely juicy. You can find it year-round as an import in almost every supermarket. Whether fresh, in a smoothie, grilled, or as a snack: pineapple brings freshness, flavor, and an extra dose of vitamin C to your diet.
What is a pineapple?
The pineapple is a tropical fruit from South America and belongs to the bromeliad family. It does not grow on trees, but low to the ground and forms large, golden-yellow fruit bodies with distinctive leaves.
Today, she mainly comes from Costa Rica, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Nutrients & Effects
The pineapple is rich in:
- Vitamin C (strengthens the immune system & cell protection)
- Bromelain (an enzyme that can have anti-inflammatory effects)
- manganese
- Antioxidants
Positive effects:
- supports digestion
- can reduce inflammation
- hydrated thanks to high juiciness
- It is pleasantly low in calories
Nutritional values per 100 g:
- Energy value: 50 kcal
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.1 / 9.9 g
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Dietary fiber: 1.4 g
Taste & Texture
Pineapple tastes tropically sweet with a pleasant acidity.
Its consistency is very juicy, soft and fibrous – making it perfect for:
- Smoothies
- Fruit salads
- Juices
- exotic dishes
- grilled desserts
Note: People with sensitive stomachs may easily feel the acid.
Purchasing & Storage
Here's how to recognize a ripe pineapple:
- pleasantly sweet scent at the base of the fruit
- The leaves can be easily pulled out.
- yellow-green, not too hard shell
- not too soft and without dark spots
Storage:
- whole pineapple: 2–4 days at room temperature
- In the refrigerator: up to 5–7 days
- Cut pieces: store airtight, usable for 2–3 days.
For longer shelf life: Freeze pineapples.
Use in the kitchen
Pineapple is extremely versatile:
Classic applications
- in a smoothie or freshly squeezed juice
- in the fruit salad
- as dessert (grilled, caramelized, chilled)
- in Asian dishes
- On pizza – a matter of taste
Creative ideas
- Pineapple curry sauce
- Tropical detox juice with cucumber & mint
- Pineapple ice cubes for cocktails
- Pineapple chia pudding
Perfect in combination with Nutrilovers kitchen gadgets
- Slow Juicer: delivers extremely juice-rich results thanks to high water content
- Stand mixer: ideal for creamy smoothies, sorbets & bowls
- Air fryer: great for grilled pineapple rings
- Ice cube maker: frozen pineapple pieces for refreshing drinks
- Bread maker: not exactly – but as a tropical jam, it's great with fresh bread.
Fun Facts
- A single pineapple takes up to 18 months to fully ripen.
- The fruit does not "ripen" further after harvesting to become sweeter – it only becomes softer.
- Pineapples used to be a status symbol and were even rented out to be displayed as decorations!
Conclusion – why you should eat more pineapple
Pineapple is light, refreshing, and full of natural enzymes that can support your body. It fits perfectly into a healthy diet and instantly makes smoothies, juices, and bowls fruitier and more tropical.
If you want variety and want to strengthen your immune system, pineapple should definitely be a regular part of your kitchen.
