Pineapple fans know they are a perfect refreshing treat and a staple of tropical locations, but have you ever come across the Pinkglow Pineapple? This pink-fleshed pineapple brings the fruit to a whole new level.
If you love trying unique, exotic fruits, the Pinkglow Pineapple may be for you. Read on to learn everything there is to know!
What is a Pinkglow Pineapple?
A Pinkglow Pineapple is what it sounds like: a pineapple that has a glowy pink color on the inside. It’s a product of the company Fresh Del Monte, which has figured out how to genetically modify pineapples to produce lower levels of the enzyme that typically makes the fruit yellow.
The unique and rare fruit grows exclusively in Costa Rica.
History of the Pinkglow Pineapple
Del Monte, the company behind this fruit, decided to create pink pineapples after seeing success with other “gold” pineapples they created. The company first conceptualized the idea in 2005 and spent nearly 16 years perfecting the pineapple’s look, taste, and aroma.
Del Monte achieved the perfect pink pineapple through bioengineering. In traditional pineapples, lycopene, a natural enzyme that gives fruits a pink or red color, converts to beta-carotene, making the fruit yellow.
However, in Pinkglow Pineapples, there are lower levels of the enzyme that causes this transition, so the lycopene remains and makes the pineapple pink.
In October 2020, it was finally available to consumers.
Pinkglow Pineapple Characteristics
From the outside, Pinkglow Pineapples look like regular pineapples, but the inside is what makes them so unique. The flesh of a Pinkglow is beautifully pink due to a natural pigment called lycopene, which is found in other red fruits like watermelon and tomatoes.
These pineapples are sold without their crown, so if you come across one, you may notice this distinction from other pineapples as well. The crown is removed before shipping so that the farm can sustainably replant the crop and grow more.
Eating Pinkglow Pineapple
How it Tastes
Pinkglow Pineapples taste similar to regular pineapples, but they’re sweeter, juicier, and less tart. They also hasve notes of candy, making these pineapples even more unique.
Ways to Use Pink Pineapple
Pinkglow Pineapple can be enjoyed by itself, or you may wish to use it to elevate your food and drinks. Because this pineapple is so refreshing, I find that it is best used in tropical dishes.
Some dishes where the Pinkglow Pineapple really stands out are in a fruit salad.
A great dessert option to try is a Pinkglow sorbet. This sorbet is a delicious cold treat best served in the summertime.
If you’re using the pink pineapple in a cocktail, consider a spiked pineapple pink lemonade. This is the perfect refreshing adult beverage for a tropical vacation or a hot summer’s day.
Want to make it last?
If you want to make this extra special fruit last longer, there are a few different ways you can store them.
To store the whole fruit, you can keep it on the counter or in the pantry for up to three days (as long as you avoid putting it in direct sunlight). You can also store it in the refrigerator for up to two days or in a wine cellar for up to five days.
Alternatively, you may also wish to store your pineapple in already-cut pieces. These pieces can last in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for one to three months. Plus, freezing the fruit makes it perfect for smoothies and frozen cocktails.
Health Benefits
Pineapples are a good source of Vitamin C, a vitamin that helps your immune system and an antioxidant that helps protect your body’s cells. Lycopene, the pigment that gives these pineapples their pink color, also has antioxidant qualities.
Those who are wary of genetically modified foods may find that these pineapples aren’t for them. After all, it’s biological engineering that has given them their unique color. However, the FDA has confirmed that there are no safety or regulatory concerns with the fruit. The enzymes that give it its color are natural, after all.
For more information, check out our article on the Health Benefits of Pineapple.
Where to Buy Pinkglow Pineapples
Pinkglow Pineapples grow in Costa Rica but can be purchased in the United States and Canada. Physical stores that carry the fruit are limited, but you can find a full list of locations on Del Monte’s website. It’s also hard to find these plants online, but you can find many other pineapple varieties at Fast Growing Trees.
Growing The Fruit
Pinkglow Pineapples are rare, as they are only grown on one farm in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This farm provides the perfect atmosphere for the fruit to grow, with a tropical climate, volcanic soil, sustainable farming practices, and even harvesting each pineapple by hand.
Unfortunately, this means that you will not be able to grow these unique pineapples yourself. But, if you’re able to get your hands on one, you can rest assured knowing you have something special.
FAQ
Why are Pinkglow Pineapples so expensive?
Pink Pineapples are pricier than typical pineapples because they are so rare. The company that makes them, Del Monte, has a patent, and the fruit is only grown on one particular farm in Costa Rica. The farm uses sustainable practices and produces the pineapples in extremely limited quantities, so there are only so many to go around.
Are pink pineapples natural?
Pinkglow Pineapples are genetically modified to produce different levels of naturally-occurring enzymes that impact the color of the fruit. There are no additives or chemicals that make the fruit pink!
A Unique, Refreshing Treat
As you can see, Pinkglow Pineapples are incredibly unique, and perfect for elevating your typical pineapple dishes.
For more information about this tropical fruit, including growing tips and facts, visit our pineapple page!