Sapparod| สัปปะรด| Ananas comosus
Family: Bromeliaceae- Genus: Ananas
Pineapple can be found along the paths and near the vegetable gardens of the Thai Child Development Foundation and around the kitchen area and food forest area of Eco-Logic Thailand on Mount Never-rest.
The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit. Pineapples grow as a small shrub; the many tiny flowers turn into small berries which join together to make a pineapple fruit. The color of the fruit does not reflect the internal condition of the pineapple. Pineapples are always harvested at the right point of ripeness, because they do not continue to ripen after harvest. Unlike most fruits, pineapples are not grown from seeds. The plant is normally propagated from the offset produced at the top of the fruit and typically mature within a year.
It takes from 14 to 18 months before the first ripe and juicy pineapples can be harvested, and another 13 months for the second harvest.
THE PINEAPPLE PLANT
The pineapple is a herbaceous perennial, which grows to 1.0 to 1.5Â meter tall, although sometimes it can be taller. In appearance, the plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves.
After the first fruit is produced, side shoots (called 'suckers' by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf axils of the main stem. After 12 to 20 months, the stem grows into a spike-like flower head up to 15Â centimeter long with over 100 spirally arranged flowers. The flowers develop into berries. which merge into a multiple fruit.
PINEAPPLE LEAVES
The pineapple plant has 30 or more long, narrow, fleshy, trough-shaped leaves with sharp spines along the margins that are 30 to 100Â cm long, surrounding a thick stem. In the first year of growth, the axis lengthens and thickens, bearing numerous leaves in close spirals.
The leaves are used to prepare medicinal compounds.
PINEAPPLE FLOWERS
When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some large-fruited cultivars can exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruits of the flowers join together to create a multiple fruit.
PINEAPPLE FRUIT
Pineapple fruit has an oval and bulky shape, approximately 30 centimeter long and 15 centimeter of diameter.
The edible flesh is surrounded by green bracts that turn into yellow to orange when ripe, which form the skin of the fruit. Pineapples have yellow or white pulp, fleshy, aromatic, juicy and sweet. In the fruit there is a fibrous axis.
Mature pineapples have a very singular fragrance, a beautiful color and pleasant taste.
The fruit can be used to prepare medicinal compounds.
CULINARY USES OF PINEAPPLE
Pine apple is eaten raw or as an ingredient in juices, preserves, liquors, etc. It is also used in pies and several dishes, like curries,
At the Food Forest Kitchen, the restaurant of Ecologicthailand, the pineapple can be found in our desserts, shakes, smoothies, curries, nice cream and more dishes. Click on the link to find some recipes.
NUTRITION
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 2 mg
Potassium 206 mg
Total Carbohydrate 19.5 g
Sugars 13.7 g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 28 mg
Calcium 21 mg
TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE OF PINEAPPLE
NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.
The fruit of the pineapple is said to aid digestion and improves menstruation, and it can be used, rubbed on the skin is a excellent facial cleanser. After rubbing it on, rinse with warm water.
The leaves of the pineapple are said to be good to help cure many ailment, used as a teas:
Boiled pineapple leaves can be used to cure to Hemorrhoids disease
pineapple leaves are the best natural and herbal product available to treat Vein Dislocation
Help to cure Asthma
Heals nose bleeding
Cures Flu ( drink boiled water of pineapple leaves regularly. Pineapple boiled water is very good for your throat and also has a chance to reduce your flu)
Provides relief from Cough
Cures Dysentery and Diarrhea
Treats Inflammation of throat
Treats bruises (apply a paste of pineapple leaves to the wounded area)
Energy booster
Cures vomiting and nausea
Helps in Smooth Digestion
Heals burns faster and better
Medicine against Sprains and muscle cramps
Provides strength
Boosts immunity
Improves Bone Health
INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience
For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!
Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!
INTO THE WILD!