Pineapples are big, tropical fruits that look like giant pinecones wearing a crown of spiky green leaves on top! In fact, that is how they got their name, because early explorers thought they looked like pinecones. Pineapples have a tough, prickly skin covered in a cool diamond pattern, and inside you will find sweet, bright yellow fruit that tastes like sunshine. Here is a wild fact: it takes a pineapple plant about two to three years to grow just one single pineapple, so each one is really special.
Pineapples grow on the ground on short, bushy plants, not up in trees like you might think! They originally come from South America and were first discovered by European explorers who thought they were the most delicious fruit they had ever tasted. Pineapples are full of Vitamin C and a special ingredient that helps your body break down food after you eat. Did you know that you can grow your own pineapple plant by twisting off the leafy top and planting it in soil? It takes a long time, but eventually a brand new pineapple will grow! You can eat pineapple fresh, grilled, in fruit salads, on pizza, or blended into a tropical smoothie for a sweet island treat.
