The pineapple (Ananas comosus) belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. It is an unusual plant in that it produces only one pineapple fruit, which grows for a full 13–15 months before it is ready for harvesting. The pineapple consists of an intertwined berry-fruit cluster and a core. The term "comosus" (part of the scientific name) is the Latin word for "tuft," which refers to the characteristic leafy tuft of the fruit.
Pineapple cultivation has a long history. The plant was used by the indigenous peoples of South America for food and wine as well as a natural remedy. Portuguese sailors helped the fruit gain global popularity; however, the fruit's relatively short shelf life made it difficult to trade. This led to the pineapple becoming a status symbol in Europe, where cultivation of the plants became popular among British aristocrats in the 17th century.
Several varieties of pineapple exist, including Smooth Cayenne, MD2, Spanish, Queen, Pernambuco and Perolera. The Smooth Cayenne variety is one of the top cultivars, producing pineapples weighing up to 4kg each; it is characterised by its aromatic flavour and light yellow flesh. The MD2 variety is another important cultivar, which is characterised by a sweeter flavour and lower acidity.
