Type

Frutos frescos

Region

Açores

Description

The fruit comes from the species Ananas comosus (L) Merril of the Bromeliad family and the Cayene 'flat-leaved' variety. It is cylindrical in shape, slightly tapered, with a strong orange peel and translucent yellow flesh. It has a hard stem running from the crown to the pedicel.

Particularity

Simple crown with a fresh appearance, between 1/3 and 1/4 of the length of the fruit.

History

The presence of pineapples in São Miguel dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The Portuguese Atlantic islands were a stage for the introduction and expansion of new crops. Thus, the Portuguese discovered the pineapple in Brazil and brought it to the Azores. An object of natural curiosity at the time, the pineapple was grown in greenhouses as an experimental crop and ornamental botanical curiosity. From the 19th century onwards, the pineapple was seen as a product with potential for the Azorean economy. The need to find a substitute for oranges, which came from citrus groves already affected by the gum disease, was the cause of the search for a new product to fill the gap left by this fruit in the export trade circuit.

Know-how

Pineapples from the Azores/São Miguel are produced in glass greenhouses using traditional cultivation techniques: the application of 'smoke' and the use of 'hot beds' based on vegetable matter. After a period of two years, from planting to harvesting, the fruit has a unique aroma and taste and, despite being grown without pesticides, has few pests and diseases.

Production

Pineapple from the Azores/São Miguel' is produced in the geographical area specified in Despacho SRAP/94/2 do Secretário Regional de Agricultura e Pescas da Região Autónoma dos Açores, de 01/02/1994 published in the Jornal Oficial da RAA, IIª Série nº 5, de 16/9/98; Recognized as Designation of Origin by the above Despacho; Registered and protected as Designation of Origin Azores, for pineapple, by Regulation (EC) No 1107/96, of 12-06 - OJ L 148/1, of 21-06.

Geographic production area

Distritos

S.MIGUEL

Instructions for use

Fresh, plain or in fruit salad, or as an ingredient in traditional sweets and also in juices, canned, jams, liqueurs, etc.

Shape

CYLINDRICAL

Weight

de 900,00g a 1,50kg

Outside Color

ORANGE

Inside Color

YELLOW

Inside Succulence

JUICY

Inside Flavor

FRUITY

Inside Flavor

BITTERSWEET

Commercial presentation

It comes in boxes, which can be made of wood, cardboard or expandable polystyrene.

Bibliography/Source

Product specification "Pineapple of the Azores"; Profrutos - Cooperativa de Produtores de Frutas, Produtos Hortícolas e Florícolas de S. Miguel, C.R.L.