Actually, it grows in the ground. And it takes years. 

Generally pineapple plants grow for two to three years before producing a single pineapple. Once mature, the plants produce one pineapple at a time. Quite a long process, but so worth it for a taste of the vibrant, juicy and sharp-tasting fruit.

Originally from South America, pineapples are so called because they look a lot like pine cones as they grow, with hundreds of tiny fruitlets fusing together to make the strange-looking fruit. They are harvested ripe, so look for pineapples that haven’t travelled too far. (We get ours from Costa Rica.)

Choose a pineapple that is heavy for its size. Cut off the crown and base, then slice off the skin carefully so you don’t lose much of the tangy flesh. The core is edible, but you can quarter the fruit and remove it if you prefer. If you fancy yourself a gardener, you can even plant the crown (in a pot because our climate is just too darn cold for pineapples) and grow your own pineapple. If you can wait a few years, that is. 

TIP: Pineapples pack a vitamin punch!

Pineapples are bursting with vitamin C and manganese, so you can feel good satiating your sweet tooth with slices, spears and chunks, or use pineapple in baking, preserves, smoothies and savoury dishes like stir frys.