The Red Spanish Pineapple draws attention because of its vivid and peculiar appearance, but its taste and health benefits far supersede its good looks. If you’re looking to learn more about this delicious fruit, we’ve got you covered.

We know where to find it, and how you can use it in several delicious recipes! Read on to discover more about its appearance, singular taste, and, for our resident gardeners, how to grow them.

A pineapple resembling the red Spanish pineapple.

Characteristics of This Pineapple

The Red Pineapple is often grown as an ornamental fruit because of its striking appearance and vibrant colors. It is, of course, red, with coarse, waxy, skin covered in spikes. It tends to be smaller than the pineapples widely available at grocery stores, but shares its oval shape and green, spiked leaf grown

Underneath its tough exterior, the Red Spanish Pineapple flesh is several shades of yellow and pink. Like the pineapples we are most accustomed to, the Red Spanish Pineapple is dense, but soft, with a hard core. It may or may not have seeds.

Striking foliage of a red pineapple plant.

Eating a Red Spanish Pineapple

What Does It Taste Like?

The Red Pineapple is more than a decorative ornament for your kitchen table. Its flesh is chewy and juicy, and although its taste and texture varies depending on the climate in which the fruit is grown, it is generally sweet with tangy undertones, and tastes very similar to the pineapples usually found at local supermarkets.

Much like any other pineapple, It can be enjoyed on its own as a healthy and refreshing snack on a hot day, or made into smoothies, pies, and fritters, amongst other dishes.

Pineapple Preparation Tips and Tricks:

Tackling any pineapple for the first time can be intimidating, and the Red Spanish Pineapple is no different. With its course, spiky exterior and large, cylindrical shape, cutting up a pineapple can seem like a daunting task. We’re here to help!

First, prep the space. You’ll need a cutting board and a sharp knife. Avoid serrated knives since they could cause the pineapple to release juice. Hold the pineapple steadily and remove its spiky green top, as well as the bottom of the fruit.

There are two important parts to this step: avoid wasting the flesh of the pineapple, and cut in a straight line to create a steady base, which will facilitate the following steps.

Now that your Red Spanish Pineapple (or any pineapple, for that matter!) can stand comfortably upright, peel its rind. Rotate the fruit as needed, and mind your fingers!

Person using a knife to peel a pineapple.

Next, remove any remaining patches of rind. A paring knife is optional, but could make your life easier!

Now your pineapple is ready to be cut! Do you want to serve them in cubes? In circular slices? The world is your oyster! Removing the core is optional, but a nice touch.

Recipes:

Now that your pineapple is prepped and ready to go, you can prepare it in several different ways, as a side or the main event. Because of its unique taste, pineapples can make for interesting, creative dishes.

Pineapples can be substituted with Red Spanish Pineapples in any of these recipes to give your food a more interesting color, and sometimes even a stronger taste! Here’s one (or more) pineapple recipe for every meal:

For breakfast, let’s start with a creative (and tasty) twist on pineapples with a Pineapple Sriracha Breakfast Bowl. This is a great way to mix sweet and savory, and get your proteins and vitamins in one foul swoop.

For lunch, enjoy these delicious vegetarian Ackee Tacos with Island Guacamole.

Okay, we know this one is controversial, but for dinner we had to share this delicious Pineapple Jalapeno Pizza with you all.

For dessert, consider enjoying the delicious Red Spanish Pineapple solo.

Enjoy! You can thank us later.

Health Benefits:

The Red Spanish Pineapple, much like its golden counterpart, has countless health benefits, containing an array of minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. They are a great source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant known for aiding the immune system.

Pineapples are also known to help in digestion, since they contain fibers and, most importantly, bromelain, an enzyme that improves digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Wondering how to get the kiddos to cash in on all these health benefits? Blend the Red Spanish Pineapple into a smoothie for a fun, nutritious, and tasty snack! A simple way to spice up pineapples that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, the pink flesh of this pineapple will make the smoothie look extra appetizing.

Nothing works better on picky eaters than disguising fruits and vegetables into milkshakes – take it from us!

Read more about the many ways pineapples are good for you in our blog post on the Health Benefits of Pineapple.

Where to Buy the Red Spanish Pineapple

Closeup of a young pineapple plant. — A young pineapple plant.

The Red Spanish Pineapple is rarely found in commercial markets. You’re probably only going to be able to purchase the fruit online unless you’re lucky enough to score one at a farmers’ market.

This obscure variety of pineapple plant is also not often found online, but Fast Growing Trees is your best bet when it comes to pineapple variety!

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Can I Grow the Red Spanish Pineapple at Home?

It might be somewhat difficult to grow this pineapple at home since it requires tropical weather conditions to thrive, and it takes 18 months to be harvestable. But, if you can count on plenty of sunshine and time, growing pineapples yourself is possible.

First, Cut off the crown of your pineapple and remove any remaining flesh. Next, pull all of the leaves off, leaving only the 6-8 large leaves near the center of the crown. Now you can leave the crown to dry out. This could take a few days.

Once this is done, place the crown in a large bowl with around 1/2″ inch of water. Don’t let the water touch the leaves. Wait for the roots to develop.

Then, transfer the crown to a medium-sized pot with soil. This is where you’ll need the sunshine: place your plant in direct sunshine and water it once a day. Fertilize your plant once a month.

The most common pests found on pineapple plants are mites, mealy bugs, and scale, all of which you can get rid of by washing the pineapple plant’s leaves with soap and water and rinsing thoroughly. There’s no need for insecticides in this case, but if you do choose to use them read the instructions carefully.

When the time is right, all that’s left to do is harvest your pineapple! You can read more about harvesting pineapples here.

A Rosy Pineapple Option

With all of the health benefits of commonly found pineapples and an even more enticing look, the Red Spanish pineapple is a great option for any snack or meal. Read more about how to grow, prepare, and enjoy pineapples on my pineapple page!