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What’s the history of the pineapple?
The pineapple – one of the world’s favorite tropical fruits – was first known as “anana” by the Brazilian Tupi Indians. The name translates to “excellent fruit.”

On his second voyage to the Caribbean in 1493, Christopher Columbus and his crew were the first Europeans to taste the sweet fruit. Because it resembled a pinecone, Columbus dubbed it “The Pine of the Indies.” Then was introduced to Spain when Columbus brought it back, as a gift, for queen Isabella.

After its introduction to the English, the word “apple” was added because they thought it should be familiarized with another well-known sweet fruit, and the name “pineapple” was born. In the Victorian Era, it became an icon of hospitality after seafaring captains placed fresh pineapple on their gateposts to signify the man of the house was a home and receiving guest.

How do pineapples grow?
Pineapples take about 18 months to grow. They are grown from the crowns or tops of other pineapples. Each crown is planted by hand.

When the plants are a year old the flowering process begins. The flower bud is small and pink, and looks like a pinecone. As the bud grows it will mature into the fruit we know as a pineapple.

Where do pineapples grow?
Pineapple is available year-round from Hawaii, Australia, Philippines, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Costa Rica. In 2004, more than one-third of the world’s commercial supply of pineapples came from Hawaii.

Was Lahaina Cannery Mall a working cannery?
The land where the mall is today was the site of a real working pineapple cannery. In 1919, Baldwin Packers Ltd. erected another cannery where Lahaina Cannery Mall stands today. This location was selected so they could be closer to the shipping port and a larger employee population.

In 1922, Mala Wharf was built and it was hoped that this new pier would facilitate transporting the pineapple, however, it was discovered that the ocean currents at Mala Wharf were too treacherous for the ships to navigate safely. Produce had to be taken by barge to awaiting ships.

By 1924, the Baldwin Packers Ltd. Cannery was producing 4,500 cases of canned pineapple per day. The pineapples were transported from the fields to the cannery by the Pioneer Mill Co. Railroad Line.

By 1932, the roads have been improved enough to transport the fruit by truck to Kahului Harbor.

In 1962, Baldwin Packers Ltd. Merged with Maui Pineapple Company and Haleakala Pineapple Company.

All operations were moved to the Kahului plant and the Lahaina cannery plant was closed soon after. The idea of utilizing the site as a mall was first conceived in 1972. However, by 1985, the original cannery building had fallen to such disrepair that any hopes of renovation had to be abandoned, along with the original structure.

In 1987, the Lahaina Cannery Mall was built on the same site where the original plant once stood.

How many varieties of pineapple are there?
(1) Hilo: A compact, cylindrical 2-3lbs., Hawaiian variant of the Smooth Cayenne.

(2) The Kona Sugarloaf: Weighing in at 5-6lbs., white flesh with no woodiness in the center. Cylindrical in shape, it has high sugar content but no acid. This is revered by many, to be one of the most delicious fruit of them all and therefore costly.

(3) Natal Queen: 2-3lbs., golden yellow flesh, crisp texture and delicate mild flavor. Well adapted to fresh consumption. Keeps well after ripening.

(4) Pernambuco: 2-4lbs., with pale yellow to white flesh. Sweet, melting and excellent for eating fresh. Poorly adapted for shipping.

(5) Red Spanish: 2-4lbs., pale yellow flesh with pleasant aroma; squarish in shape. Well adapted for shipping as fresh fruit to distant markets.

(6) Smooth Cayenne: 5-6lbs., pale-yellow to yellow flesh. Cylindrical in shape and with high sugar and acid content. Well adapted to canning and processing. Leaves without spines. This is the variety from Hawaii, and the most easily obtainable in U.S. grocery stores.

How do you select a good pineapple?
Select pineapples that are plump with a nice fragrant smell. The leaves in the crown should be fresh and green, and the body of the pineapple should be firm. Look for ones that have larger eyes (eyes are the octagonal shapes that make up the outer-shell). Larger eyes usually indicate a sweeter more flavorful fruit.

Keep in mind that a larger size does not necessarily indicate the fruit will taste better or riper than a smaller one. Also, the color of the shell (skin) is not necessarily a sign of maturity or ripeness. They can be ripe even if the shell is practically all green.

How do you make a pineapple ready to eat fast?
To make a pineapple ready to eat faster, simple stand it upside down on the counter. That’s right, stand it on the “leaf end.” This makes the sugar flow toward the top and keeps the pineapple from fermenting at the bottom.

Let it ripen for a few days. When it starts to develop a golden color and smells good, it’s ripe.

How do you best store a pineapple?
Store at room temperature for one or two days before serving to allow the pineapple to became softer and sweeter. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days or cut pineapple into chunks and store for up to 7 days. Cut up pineapple also freezes well.

If it’s not wrapped well, a pineapple will absorb other food odors in your refrigerator, so store it well sealed. Keep in mind when refrigerating pineapple that it will taste better if it’s allowed to return to room temperature before eating.

How did pineapple get in the can?
In the late 1800s, an Englishman by the name of Captain John Kidwell had the right idea when he successfully canned pineapple. But since the United States collected such a high tariff on canned pineapple, Kidwell was unable to make selling canned pineapple a profitable business and was forced to close his business in 1898.

Ironically, that was the same year that Hawaii became part of the United States, and the high tariff was removed. Two years later, James Drummond Dole went to Hawaii with a thousand dollars, degrees in business and agriculture, and a dream of growing and canning pineapples. The following year, Dole started “the Hawaiian Pineapple Co.” with a goal to make canned pineapple available in every grocery store in the USA.

In 1911, an engineer by the name of Henry Ginaca, invented the machine that revolutionized pineapple canning. The machine could actually remove the outer shell, inner core and both ends of 100 pineapples in less than one minute. This machine forever revolutionized the canning industry. In fact, it is still in use today and is known as the “Ginaca Machine.”

Good for your health?
Pineapples are the only edible members of the bromeliad family of plants. Pineapples contain a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which digests food by breaking down protein. There is significant evidence pointing to the anti-inflammatory benefits of bromelain. Some have claimed that pineapples have benefits for some intestinal disorders while others claim that it helps to induce childbirth when a baby is overdue.

Pineapple is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, which is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. In addition to manganese, pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of vitamin B1, copper, dietary fiber and vitamin B6.

Among the many benefits of vitamin B1 is its ability to increase blood circulation and provide a greater supply of oxygen to the blood cells. In addition, vitamin B1 is known to help with the proper metabolism of carbohydrates, making it a great weight loss assistant.

Can it make meat tender?
Pineapple juice makes an excellent meat marinade. Pineapple has its own super-powerful tenderizer. It’s an enzyme called bromelain. For this reason, fresh pineapple should not be used in gelatin recipes.

When adding fresh pineapple to any protein dish, always serve immediately. When held longer, the food will become over-tenderized or mushy.

Unusual References?
• SpongeBob SquarePants lives in a pineapple under the sea.
• The pineapple is used as a weapon in several video games and the World War II Mark 2 hand grenade was commonly known to G.I.’s as the “pineapple” because of the grooves cut into its surface.

Grown Your Own?
You can grow your own pineapple plant by twisting the crown off a store bought pineapple, letting it dry for 2-3 days, then planting it in a large pot in rich potting soil with ample drainage. Water moderately each day and keep it in direct sunlight.

Be patient and remember, it takes 18 months for a pineapple to appear.

Learn more about the pineapple by visiting Lahaina Cannery Mall online at www.lahainacannerymall.com.