History of the Pineapple

Pineapple is thought to have originated in Brazil, and many historians believe that the first Europeans to ever eat the fruit were Christopher Columbus and his crew. Once it was brought over to Europe, royal families took a liking to it and the fruit was grown in hot houses. The hot houses were costly to build and maintain, so the plant soon became a status symbol as only the very wealthy could afford these fruits.

In some cultures, pineapples are a sign of welcome. Early in Southern American history, the pineapple was given as a gift to new neighbors to signify friendship. George Washington tried these fruits in the Barbados in the 1750s and declared them his absolute favorite of all the tropical fruits he had ever eaten. This plant grew well in Florida and Hawaii, where it was introduced in the 1770s, but it wasn’t a common food for the people of the country until later.

The name pineapple used to be used when referencing what we now call “pine cones.” English speakers, upon seeing the pineapple for the first time, noted the similarities between these two things and decided that it must just be another type of pine cone. Of course, now we know the pineapple is a cluster of berries that eventually grow together to form one solid fruit. Pineapple became popular in America during 1903 when James Dole began canning it in Hawaii, making it cheaper and more widely available to the masses

Pineapple Juice Powder Cultivation

Pineapples are indigenous to South America, though much of their cultivation now happens in southeast Asia. These plants take a long time to grow and they will not have fruit until they are about two years old. It takes a whole three years for a single pineapple to reach the proper age of maturation to be eaten, and a plant produces only one ripe fruit at a time. Pineapples can be grown by cutting off the top of the pineapple and then planting it in the ground or by planting seeds. Coloring on the outside of a pineapple has much more to do with where it was grown and less to do with how ripe it is, unlike other plants who depend on color to signal ripeness. Unlike some other plants, the pineapple will not ripen after it has been removed from its plant.

The pineapples used in our Pineapple Juice Powder are grown in Brazil.

What’s in it?

Our Pineapple Juice Powder is made of Pineapple Juice and Tapioca Maltodextrin. 

How do they make Pineapple Juice Powder?

Pineapple Juice Powder is made through a process called spray drying. This is a method of producing a powder through spraying a liquid onto a solid. Pineapple Juice is sprayed onto the tapioca maltodextrin and then dried, leaving behind the pineapple juice powder. 

Cooking with Pineapple Juice Powder

Pineapple Juice Powder can be used in place of pineapple in situations where you want the flavor of pineapple, but not necessarily the texture. It’s delicious in juices, including orange juice or guava juice.

Pineapple Juice Powder is excellent in baking. You can make everything from pies to cakes with this powder, and cranberry muffins can be brightened exponentially with this powder. Pineapple is also a popular flavor in scones.

It is perfect to mix in with marinades for meat, especially with chicken. Use it in chutneys, jams, or even in chilis, for an interesting flavor profile. Pineapple Juice Powder is also tasty on fish, especially white fish like cod or haddock.

This powder can also be used in the tropical drink “the killer bee.” This drink is a mix of two tablespoons of honey, a quarter cup of orange juice, a quarter cup of club soda, a half cup of light rum, a half cup of passionfruit juice, and ¼ of a tablespoon of black pepper. Combine honey with a tablespoon of water and microwave on high for about 30 seconds, or until the honey is dissolved. Stir in fruit juices, rum, and pepper. Distribute evenly to glasses, top off with the club soda, and then sprinkle on some Pineapple Juice Powder and a little bit of Nutmeg to kick up the flavor just a notch. Add these spices to taste.

We like to add Pineapple Juice Powder to recipes like El Gallito or the Hibiscus Margaritas. It also tastes excellent as an addition to Pasta Primavera with Chicken.

Pineapple Juice Powder goes really well with flavors like sweet potato and coconut. It is excellent in candies, sauces, and stews.

What Does Pineapple Juice Powder Taste Like?

Pineapple Juice Powder tastes very strongly of pineapple.

Substitutions and Conversions

If you are looking for something tart and tangy for your recipe, but pineapple might not be the right flavor, try out our Lemon Juice Powder.

Be careful when using this Pineapple Powder. The flavor is strong, so we suggest using less than you think you will need and then adding more as you go along. It is easy to over spice, but it is not easy to fix flavors once that happens!

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