There are so many ways to enjoy our prized pineapples, their luscious sweet flavor, and distinct fruity aroma. They can be tossed into the blender with yogurt as a nutritious and fibrous smoothie, grilled and served with scrumptious barbecued meat, or gently stewed and laid on toast for weekend brunch.
Fresh pineapples cannot be beat. However, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy and add value to this beloved tropical fruit.
 fresh pineapple juice on wood background
| Juice Apparently, preparing pineapple juice is not as straightforward as you might think. The ripeness of the fruit is vital to ensure sweetness, and it does entail mashing and straining to get rid of the itchy fibers. Add sodium benzoate or citric acid, a little sugar if needed, then heat at 80° C for five minutes before transferring into tin containers or glass jars. Try: Del Monte, Tasty palamig powder mix, Seasons pineapple banana juice |
| Vinegar Processing pineapple into vinegar is a good way of making use of overripe, blemished, or surplus fruits, as well as discarded cores, peels, and trimmings. Although not as popular as coconut vinegar, pineapple vinegar is already being exported in small quantities. With a little scientific know-how, this can be produced by alcohol and acetic acid fermentation. Try: Mascoop Pineapple Vinegar, Bertolano’s Balsamic Pineapple Vinegar |
| Nata de piña The more popular nata de coco is actually a more recent alternative to nata de piña, which is a chewy, translucent, gel-like Filipino dessert harking back to the early 1900s. It is commonly sweetened as a candy or dessert, and made to accompany other food such as pickles, ice cream, drinks, puddings, and fruit cocktails. Try: UFC, Phil Supreme, Buenas |
| Candy Candied pineapple or crystallized pineapple is a sweet treat made with pieces of the fruit mixed with sugar syrup. Cut into chunks or slices, blanched, and then doused in syrup over the course of several days, making candied pineapple is a tedious and time-consuming process that usually takes up to two weeks. Try: Cebu Philippines brand dried pineapple, Philippine brand Mango Pineapple Balls |
| Jam Making preserves or jams is a great way to utilize overripe fruits. Pineapple jam, in particular, is a great foundation for making sweet and sour sauce or a glaze for roasted meats or ham. A basic recipe consists only of four ingredients: pineapple, water, sugar, and lime. After slowly cooking the mixture, keep in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for months. Try: Antonio’s Pineapple Jam, The Fruit Garden Pineapple Coco Rum Jam, Clara. Olé Pineapple Jam |
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