In Australia, pineapples are available year-round, with Queensland producing over 99% of the national crop, including Pure Gold and Smooth Cayenne varieties.
Choose a pineapple that feels heavy for its size with fresh green leaves and bright, golden-yellow skin around the base. Give it a gentle squeeze—it should yield slightly without being soft or mushy.
Native to South America, pineapples were so luxurious in 18th-century Europe that wealthy people rented them for parties. It takes nearly two years to grow just one fruit, which contains a unique enzyme that can make your tongue tingle!