The Antigua Black Pineapple is infamous for being the world’s sweetest and rarest pineapple. In fact, this pineapple is such a treasure that it’s found a place on Antigua’s coat of arms.
Let’s dive into what makes this pineapple so special.
All About the Antigua Black Pineapple
The Antigua Black Pineapple was brought to Antigua from South America by the Arawak people in the 17th century when they migrated to the Caribbean.
The pineapple is rarely ever transported out of Antigua because it is so delicate. Not only that but the fruit is grown only in its home country. This is because Antigua’s unique climate and soil rich in nutrients are what make this pineapple so incredible.
The Antigua Black is grown primarily on the southern coast of Antigua. This part of Antigua has a large amount of open country where farmers have everything they need to grow this incredible fruit.
The pineapple is part of the queen group of pineapples. Queen pineapples are found mostly in Australia and South Africa and are known for their high resistance to diseases. Queen pineapples however are also known not to ship well and are mostly eaten fresh.
Characteristics
Despite its name, the Antigua Black Pineapple never turns black. It stays green right up until the point it becomes ripe and turns golden after it’s picked. Its core is also not black, but a deep golden yellow.
The pineapple also has a strange cylindrical shape that is not characteristic of most pineapples.
What does the Antigua Black Pineapple taste like
The Antigua Black is the sweetest pineapple you’ll ever eat and has next to no acidity. It has a higher sugar content than most pineapples which is the key contributor to its unique level of sweetness.
The shiny golden core of this pineapple is completely edible. It’s juicy and has a soft texture. It’s known that the Antigua Black has a one-of-a-kind flavor that can’t be found in any other pineapple.
Health Benefits
Pineapple has a unique enzyme known as Bromelain which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Combined with the fact that pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C, this makes them an incredible snack to eat while nursing any kind of injury or ailment. Pineapple also helps relieve arthritic joint pain.
The Antigua Black Pineapple in particular is high in glucose and fiber, which are important for energy and digestion respectively.
To learn more about the benefits of eating pineapple, read our in-depth guide on the Health Benefits of Eating Pineapple.
FAQ
Can I grow the Antigua Black Pineapple at home?
No, unfortunately, you can’t grow this miraculous pineapple at home. It’s exclusive to Antigua. What makes the pineapple so special in the first place is the fact that it can only grow in Antigua’s unique climate and soil.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other delicious pineapples out there just waiting for you to grow them in your garden. Visit Fast Growing Trees to select a pineapple variety from their inventory to grow in your garden.
Where can I try this pineapple?
You can try the pineapple if you visit Antigua. There are some restaurants in other nations that have them on their menu, but these restaurants are only located in areas near Antigua due to the fruit’s delicate nature.
Where in Antigua do they sell the pineapple?
They sell them in restaurants around the island. However, it’s said that the best way to try this pineapple is at the roadside markets near the farms in the south of the island, where they are grown.
The pineapples are brought to the roadside markets and sold fresh. Since Antigua Black Pineapples are of the queen variety of pineapple, freshness heavily influences the taste of the fruit.
Unique Growing Process of the Antigua Black Pineapple
What makes this pineapple so special is that the farmers in Antigua grow it for quality instead of quality. In fact, this pineapple has changed very little since it was brought from South America by the Arawak people in the 17th century.
What has changed in the growing process however is that the farmers found a way to artificially induce the plants so they can grow them all year. This allows them to serve the fruit to the tourists that visit at all times of the year, as well as their own people of course.
The pineapples all come from a “mother plant”. Once they leave the mother plant, the pineapple takes about 2 to 3 weeks to root in the soil.
In the right conditions, which can only be found in Antigua, the plant will double in size every 4 months. It will double 3-4 times (12-14 months in total) before it’s ready to flower.
The plant takes about six weeks to flower once it senses that January/February has come around.
Once the plant flowers, it takes three more months for it to reach become ripe and ready to harvest.
From the moment the plant flowers, it takes 5 months for it to reach full maturity. From the moment the plant roots, however, it takes a year and a half for it to reach full maturity, which is a very long time!
You Must Try the Rarest Pineapple on Earth!
The Antigua Black Pineapple is the rarest and arguably most delicious pineapple on earth. Brought from South America by the Arawak people, this pineapple has remained mostly unchanged since the 17th century.
Unfortunately, you can’t grow this pineapple at home, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying this delicious fruit if you ever get the chance!
To learn more about pineapples, visit our Pineapples page for an in-depth guide on growing pineapples
Bill
Friday 23rd of December 2022
We have a pineapple known as the Hilo White that sounds very similar in flavor. However it is large, white, super sweet, and has an edible core. It’s found on the east side of Hawaii Island and is very easy to grow.
Matt
Tuesday 27th of December 2022
Sounds amazing! Thanks Bill.