August 1st is known as “Pineapple Day.”
[ Let that cold juice dribble down your chin on a hot summer day! ]
極上パイナップル》石垣島産ピーチパイン 3 [ Goku-Ju Ishigaki Pineapple ] Peach Pineapples
In Japan, the peak pineapple harvest is in August, with Okinawa Prefecture producing almost 100% of domestic production. Pineapples are rich in bromelain, an enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and sinus relief. Pineapples grown in Okinawa receive a lot of sun and are juicy and high in sugar content. Not only can it be enjoyed as a raw fruit, but also as sweets.
極上パイナップル》石垣島産ピーチパイン 3 [ Goku-Ju Ishigaki Pineapple ] Peach Pineapples < = ( remember )
How to eat it:
I, me, Tony ( AAAII ) eat pineapples after they’ve been chilled in the refrigerator for 12 hours or more! It’s the only way to really enjoy eating them, super cold. Once removed from the fridge, start cutting them up quickly and safely. It’s a good idea to look at Youtube for examples of ways to slice and dice them.
This particular pineapple was bred for stronger sweetness and fragrance, and smaller size. It turns an orange-red hue when it’s ripe and as you can see from the picture it is very juicy!
Current Facts:
Peach pineapples are a cultivar of Ananas comosus, one of the many types native to the small Japanese island of Okinawa. It was first released in 1999 under the name Soft Touch pineapple and is sometimes referred to as Milk pineapple for its cream-colored flesh. The small pineapple variety is a descendant of the Hawaiian ‘smooth cayenne’ variety, which is the most common pineapple found in grocery stores, and an unnamed Okinawan variety. Outside of Japan, Peach pineapples are quite rare. Even within Japan, they are considered a treat and are generally more expensive than other varieties.
[ JA Farmers Association ]
Ethnic/Cultural
The pineapple industry in Okinawa has a long history. At its peak in 1969, Okinawan farmers were harvesting 100,000 tons of tropical fruit. But pineapple exports began to drop during the 1970s and even more after 1990 due to an oil crisis and changes to import laws regarding frozen pineapple. By 2012 exports were down to only 6% of their peak in 1969. To celebrate the pineapple industry in Okinawa and to reintroduce people to the benefits of the fruit, the Nago Pineapple Park was opened. The park was opened in 2007 and features a restaurant, pineapple wine production and tasting, tours of the pineapple factory, and pineapple-shaped carts for self-guided tours around the park.
[ JA Farmers Association ]
Okinawa is about a one-hour flight from the mainland if you want to enjoy freshly harvested peach pines. You can also purchase them anywhere in Japan too, but they will most likely be sold out. These are the hardest products to keep on the shelves. Expect to pay around $20USD for a super small one weighing under 10 grams.
How about your Connect family. What is famous in August in your country?
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