The Ultimate Prickly Ananas comosus Merr!
 
Three years have passed since my visit to one of the large areas known for its great tasting Ananas comosus, Hawaii? So it's only natural that I should think about that particular food this time each year and my marvelous visit there. I also remember eating a lot of these and enjoying every morsel! It is really difficult to find the same ripe fruit here in my area of the world and the taste just isn?t the same as when picked ripe from the field and served up shortly thereafter.
 
Christopher Columbus discovered this delectable food growing on the island of Guadeloupe in 1493 and took them back to Spain. It became very popular in Europe by the 1600s.
 
What is Ananas comosus Merr? Pineapple! The exceptional juiciness and vibrant tropical flavor of pineapple that balances the tastes of sweet and tart make them only second to bananas as America?s favorite tropical fruit. Although the Hawaiian season for pineapple runs from March through June, they are available year-round in local markets; just not as evenly ripe as in Hawaii but they can be ordered online from Hawaii to get that same great taste.
 
Bromelain, the great health property contained in pineapples, has been used for hundreds of years as a digestive aid, and to treat inflammation and other health problems. Recently, bromelain has been investigated for possible anticancer activity and now studies show it to contain protease that is a great blood thinner cholesterol lowering agent, thereby helping in preventing heart disease and stroke. Now all these will require daily consumption of pineapple and a very large portion.
 
Pineapple was a culinary favorite of the fierce Carib Indians who lived on islands in the sea that still bears their name.
 
High in fiber and very rich in minerals and vitamins: raw pineapple contains
Calcium, a mineral, is used for building bones and teeth and in maintaining bone strength. Calcium is also used in muscle contraction, blood clotting, and maintenance of cell membranes.
Iron, Necessary for production hemoglobin, and oxygenation of red blood cells, builds up blood quality, and increases resistance as well as increasing energy production.
Magnesium, Key substance in proper functioning of nerves and muscles and healthy maintenance of bones. Helps protect the arterial lining from the stress of sudden blood pressure changes.
Phosphorus, Essential for utilization of carbohydrate, fats and proteins for growth, maintenance, repair of cells, and energy production. Necessary for proper skeletal growth, tooth development, kidney functioning and transference of nerve impulses.
Potassium, Essential for muscles, nerves and heart. Aids in proper maintenance of mineral balance of blood, as well as stable blood pressure. Works with sodium to regulate the body's water balance.
Sodium, The mineral is needed to maintain proper water balance and blood pH.  The mineral aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, muscle function and immune system maintenance.
Zinc, important in prostate gland functions and the growth of reproductive organs. The mineralization of bone, a healthy immune system, the digestion of proteins, the acuity of taste and smell, detoxification of free radical promoting metals, collagen formation and wound healing, all depend on zinc. It assists in the transportation of vitamin A in the blood. Sufficient intake and absorption of zinc are needed to maintain the proper concentration of vitamin E in the blood.
Copper, its functions involve the development and maintenance of the cardiovascular, skeletal and the nervous system, including the brain. The development and maintenance of the red blood cells and healthy skin and hair also depend upon copper. Found in all the tissues, the mineral is most concentrated in the brain, heart, kidney, and liver.
Manganese, essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses.
Selenium, enhances the immune system, normal development of the fetus during pregnancy, improving arthritic symptoms, and protecting the skin from UV rays. A deficiency could result in birth defects, increased risk of cancer, heart and liver diseases, Down's syndrome and fibrocystic breast disease.
 
A host of vitamins;
Vitamin C Thiamin
Vitamin B1,
Riboflavin,
Niacin,
Pantothenic acid,
Vitamin B-6,
Folate,
Folic acid,
Vitamin B-12,
Vitamin A,
Retinol,
Vitamin A,
Vitamin E,
Tocopherol.
Along with Amino acids such as Tryptophan, Threonine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Cystine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Valine, Arginine,Histidine, Alanine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Proline and Serine. 
 
Low in calories! Pineapple is best eaten alone between meals or its enzymes will be used up digesting food and not benefiting your body as well as it could.
 
Selecting, storing and using pineapple:
 
Look for pineapples that are heavy for their size. While larger pineapples will have more edible flesh, there is usually no difference in quality between a small and large size pineapple. Pineapples should be free of soft spots, bruises and darkened "eyes," all of which may indicate that the pineapple is past its prime. Choose fruit with a fragrant sweet smell at the stem end. Avoid pineapple that smells musty, sour or fermented.
 
Pineapple can be left at room temperature for one or two days before serving. While this process will not make the fruit any sweeter, it will help it to become softer and juicier. Since they are very perishable, you should watch closely during storing period to ensure that they do not spoil. After two days, if you are still not ready to consume the pineapple, you should wrap it in a perforated plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator where it will keep for a maximum of three to five more days.
Pineapple that has been cut up should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will stay fresher and retain more taste and juiciness if you also place some liquid, preferably juice from the pineapple, in the container. Although pineapple can be frozen, this process greatly affects its flavor.
 
Our favorite way of eating pineapple is fresh and raw, can't beat it for great taste and enjoyment.
 
Word of caution: If you are taking blood thinners eat pineapple or drink pineapple juice, monitor your blood closely for too much thinning as the bromelain has been known to cause thinning of the blood without help and adding that to a large amount of pineapple along with ingested blood thinner could be a danger to over thinning your blood!
 
Until next week's food, eat to enjoy greater health. My husband loves pineapple pie.
Lena