Pineapple: uniquely shaped and deliciously versatile

Pineapple has been known and cultivated in culinary circles since ancient times. Although Columbus brought it back from his journeys, it did not grow well in Europe. Both Spain and Portugal took it to their Asian colonies. However, it was not until the 1800s that pineapple as a commercial crop was successful in the islands of Azores and Hawaii as well as South Africa and Australia.

Today pineapple is grown in most tropical regions including Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands as well as Central and South America.

The pineapple was well received wherever it was introduced and in man...