Pink Pineapples Are As Magical As They Sound
The tropical fruit goes pastel for a sweet and colorful twist.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Tropical fruit is inherently sweet, colorful, and delicious, but a new pineapple variety is on the scene, and it takes these three elements to a new level.
Del Monte's Pinkglow® pineapple looks like a traditional pineapple on the outside, but cutting into its rough exterior reveals delightfully pretty, pastel-pink fruit.
But the real question:
What Do Pink Pineapples Taste Like?
Pink pineapples taste similar to their yellow counterparts, but are slightly sweeter, juicier, and according to our taste testers, have notes of pink Starburst (AKA the superior Starburst flavor).
According to Del Monte, Pinkglow pineapples have "a delicious and unique taste, with notes of candy pineapple aromatics."
Pink pineapples contain lycopene, the same pigment that makes watermelons pink and strawberries red, and creates a sweet, less acidic taste than standard pineapple, per Del Monte.
Related:17 Pineapple Dessert Recipes That'll Remind You of a Tropical Vacation
Where Can You Buy Pink Pineapples?
Pink pineapples are available for purchase in the U.S. (but not Hawaii, as the state restricts the import of any pineapple) and Canada. You can buy them online from Tropical Fruit Box or Melissa’s, depending on your location, and in some grocery stores, depending on the region (you can check availability here).
If you order online, your pink pineapple will arrive in a decorative box with a certificate of authenticity and a booklet of recipe ideas.
How Much Do Pink Pineapples Cost?
While a traditional yellow pineapple will run you around $4.99 a pop, Pinkglow’s price tag is a bit steeper.
At Tropical Fruit Box, a pink pineapple will run you $39 (look for pop-up coupons on their site to lower your price at checkout), while at Melissa’s they’re $29.
A blogger in Canada found them for $10.99 each at Costco, so you may be able to buy them for less at grocery stores.
Where Do Pink Pineapples Come From?
Del Monte is currently the only company that produces pink pineapples, which are grown on a farm in south-central Costa Rica, where they thrive in the volcanic soil and tropical climate. Unlike yellow pineapples, pink pineapples are sold and shipped without their stem, which Del Monte retains to replant and generate new pink pineapples.
Related:How To Grow a Pineapple From a Top
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
How Are They Pink?
Pink pineapples get their hue from lycopene, an antioxidant that is found in red and pink fruits like tomatoes and watermelon. Lycopene is known to combat oxidative stress and may lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
Lycopene occurs naturally in all pineapples, but in traditional pineapples is transformed into beta carotene, which makes them yellow. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pink pineapples have been genetically modified to produce lower levels of the enzymes that convert lycopene into beta carotene, thereby preventing the transformation from pink to yellow.
How Can You Use Pink Pineapples?
Pink pineapple can be used in any recipe that calls for traditional pineapple, but because it's so sweet, juicy, and, let’s face it, pricey, you wouldn’t be wrong to eat it straight off the cutting board, whether in spear, slice, or chunk form.
If you’re looking for a recipe that would be especially tasty with pink pineapple, try Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Pineapple Casserole, or Pineapple Granita.
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