Pineapples grow in tropical areas. They like a lot of sun.

They grow in the center of a cactus- like plant amid the spiky leaves. A pineapple takes 18 months to grow.

You can cut the top off a pineapple and dry it out for several days. Then plant it in soil and see if it will grow.

Pineapples have a wide cylindrical shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow skin and a spiny crown of blue green leaves.

The flesh of the pineapple is yellow in color and has asweet flavor. The centerof the pineapple has a hardfibrous core which is noteaten. The area closest tothe base is the most tenderand has the sweetest flavor.

Pineapple is native to South Americaand was transplanted throughout thetropical areas by the Spanish and Portuguese. It was named for itsresemblance to a pine cone.

Captain James Cook Introduced it to Hawaiiaround 1770.

In 1903, James Dole began canningpineapple in Hawaii,making it accessibleworldwide. Today,Hawaii produces only10% of the world’spineapple crop. Mexico,Honduras, Dominican Republic, Philippines, Thailand, Costa Rica,China & Asia contribute to the world’s supply.

Pineapple is eaten fresh or canned,and is available as a juice or in juicecombinations. It is used in desserts,salads, and as acomplement tomeat dishes. While sweet, it isknown for its highacid content.

Pineapple contains an enzymecalled bromelain which breaksdown protein. Therefore, it is used as a marinadeand tenderizer for meat.

Pineapple is high in fiber. It also contains good amounts of:

Vitamin CPotassium &Manganese.

REFERENCEShttp://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pineapples+characters#focal=74bfb145b03b6c100d9c480ed2d407d5&furl=http://www.dole5aday.com/images/kids/Dewy_Pineapple_Juice.gif

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=pineapple+photos&FORM=IGRE#

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=photos+of+the+inside+of+a+pineapple&form=QBIR&qs=n#focal=4460074dae0d71f849a1fdfce6f8fdb9&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ehow.com%2Fimages%2FGlobalPhoto%2FArticles%2F2320771%2Fpineapple8tn_Full.jpg

http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/pineapple-facts.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple

http://www.tonytantillo.com/fruits/pineapples.html

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/month/pineapple.html

Children’s Literature about Pineapples

The People in Pineapple Place

By Author Anne Lindbergh

Pineapple Soap

By Author Brian Goodwin

The High Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat

By Anne Louise Pemberton, Katharine Sandalls Molly the Monkey Finds A Pineapple

By Kathleen Stefancin