Can You Eat the Pineapple Core?

One way to enjoy pineapple that doesn’t typically come up is how to eat the core. Some people have even been misled to avoid the core altogether! Well, we’re here to clear up this common misconception once and for all. It’s official: the pineapple core is edible.

There is no debate that pineapples are a delicious and healthy treat. It’s so popular that the average American eats over seven pounds of this tropical fruit per year. However, there is plenty of disagreement about the best way to eat pineapple. We’re no strangers to this good-natured debate here at Chestnut Hill Farms. Heck, we’re eating our Perfect Pineapples fresh, having them for breakfast, topping off a salad, blending them in a smoothie, charring them on the grill, and even juicing them for seasonal beverages. Now, let’s get the most out of every part of the pineapple.

Core Benefits

It’s no secret there is a myriad of health benefits from pineapple. That sweet fruit is filled with nutrients, antioxidants, and other helpful compounds that can help protect against inflammation and disease. Pineapple juice can even boost your protection against the common cold. 

People avoid eating the core because it is much denser and tougher than the rest of the fruit. But, every time you core a pineapple and throw away the middle, you’re just tossing away vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Because the core is denser, there’s actually more good stuff packed into a smaller area than the rest of the pineapple. 

What exactly are these core benefits that we keep banging on about? 

Vitamins and Nutrients in the Core

For starters, the core is a great way to receive more fiber in your diet. Fiber is essential for lowering cholesterol levels, controlling blood sugar, and digestive health. 

The core also contains plenty of bromelain. Frequent readers of our blog will be unsurprised to hear bromelain is a super nutrient. Bromelain are enzymes in pineapple that have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that help with pain reduction and swelling.

There is a high amount of vitamin C found in the pineapple core, as well. Vitamin C helps boost immunity, create collagen, and aids in the absorption of iron aka eating pineapple makes your skin soft and beautiful. Don’t believe us? Just ask the National Institutes of Health. They’ll back us up.

Preparing a Pineapple Core

Now that you’ve learned all about the nutritious benefits of a pineapple core, you probably can’t wait to get your hands on one. Let’s discuss the best way to prepare it for consumption—remember, the core is a bit tougher than the rest of the pineapple flesh. You won’t be able to take a bite out of it like an apple or banana. 

The first step towards enjoying the pineapple core is by removing it. You can remove the core by either slicing the pineapple with a sharp knife or investing in a pineapple corer. If you’re going to enjoy pineapple more than once—and honestly, after reading this blog you’ll probably want to have it every day—we highly recommend investing in a pineapple corer. They cost less than $10 at the supermarket and don’t take up much space in your kitchen drawer. But, whichever way you prefer will get the job done.

Once the core is removed, you are ready to prepare. You can eat the pineapple core freshly sliced, but we would recommend making the core easier to eat by boiling it in water or running it through a food processor. The ways to enjoy pineapple core are truly only limited by your imagination. We would recommend creating a pineapple purée topping or grating the core over a salad. You can also create syrup from the core to use in all kinds of dishes, and drinks.

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Should You Be Eating The Core Of A Pineapple?

sbw18/Shutterstock

By Ciara Turner-Ewert/Updated: Jan. 28, 2023 10:48 am EST

Pineapples are tropical fruit known for their sweetness and juiciness. Some even say their sweetness measures up to the sugariness of candies.

They are known for being a low-calorie fruit that yields high amounts of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), one cup (165 grams) of pineapple is 82.5 calories. It contains 16.3 grams of sugar, 21.6 grams of carbs, and 2.3 grams of fiber. In addition, registered dietitian Julia Zumpano points out, “pineapple contains several minerals your body needs for proper function, including copper, potassium and magnesium” (via Cleveland Clinic). Other vitamins you’ll find within pineapple chunks include manganese, vitamin C, iron, thiamine, folate, and B vitamins, points out Healthline.

Not only are pineapples rich in nutrients, but they also provide numerous health benefits due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Many health experts explain they aid in digestion, support weight loss efforts, fight inflammation and speed up post-workout recovery (per Cleveland Clinic).

Many pineapple cutting techniques involve removing the core, however. Pineapple cores tend to be fibrous, somewhat bitter, and lacking in juiciness when compared to their meaty neighbor. But how does the core stack up against the juicy fruit pulp? Is it safe to eat? And are there health benefits to be had?

Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock

While biting into a hard pineapple core sounds intimidating, don’t let it scare you. It’s safe to eat, explains Eating Well.

Also, this center is brimming with health benefits and nutrients, just like the rest of a pineapple. Based on the nutritional information provided by the USDA, a five-ounce (140 grams) serving of pineapple cores is 44.8 calories. It also offers 13 grams of sugar, 18 grams of carbs, and 1.96 grams of fiber. This means it’s even fewer calories, carbs, and sugar than its fleshy counterparts (per Livestrong). 

But what really sets the core apart is it’s extremely rich in vitamin C. Pineapple cores contain 90% of the daily recommended amount, according to USDA. While the flesh yields less, at 88%, explains Livestrong. So if you’re looking for a vitamin C-packed snack, eating pineapple cores may do the trick.

These centers also contain high concentrations of an enzyme called bromelain, notes Eating Well. It may even contain more than the fruit pulp. According to a 2017 study, “Queen” and “Smooth cayenne” pineapple core extracts have higher levels of bromelain than the flesh. Some research suggests this enzyme helps reduce swelling, pain, digestive issues, and sinusitis and treats damaged skin from burns, shares National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. However, it’s important to note this is preliminary research.

So, next time you find yourself deciding between tossing or keeping the core, remember, it’s a nutritional powerhouse.

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Unexpected facts about pineapple: benefits and possible harm

Useful tips

01/07/2022

Let’s talk about pineapple – one of the most delicious and very peculiar fruit. Today you will not surprise anyone with pineapple, it is very common and popular. Therefore, it does not hurt to find out why pineapple is so useful, what properties it has and who should stop using it.

Some interesting facts about pineapple:

— It takes up to 3 years for a pineapple to fully ripen, so its price is slightly higher compared to other fruits and vegetables.

– In China, pineapple must be on the New Year’s table. It symbolizes prosperity and brings success for the coming year.

– Outwardly, the pineapple resembles a cone. In English, pineapple is translated as “pineapple”, derived from the Spanish piña, which was used in 1398 to describe the cone.

– The pineapple is harvested exclusively by hand, a difficult and dangerous job, as the leaves of the pineapple are prickly and capricious.

– Pineapple is present on the arms of Jamaica, Barbuda and Antigua.

– Most experts classify pineapple as a herbaceous plant, although there is no consensus on this.

Pineapple is presented in different types: fresh, candied fruit, canned, dried, chips. To extract the maximum benefit, give preference, of course, to the fresh fruit. Canned pineapple is more suitable for salads, desserts and hot dishes.

Usually, when cutting a fresh pineapple, the tough core is cut out and discarded. But not everything is so simple, before being disposed of, it is advisable to chew it, since many useful substances are concentrated there.

Benefits of pineapple:

One of the most beneficial properties of pineapple is the breakdown of protein by the enzyme bromelain. It is recommended to eat a couple of slices of pineapple after a hearty feast. The enzyme will help you digest food more easily.

Organic acids (malic, citric, acetic) also promote and facilitate digestion. This effect can be expressed in the form of tingling on the lips and tongue after eating pineapple.

Pineapple is a low-calorie product: only 52 kcal per 100 g.

There is a high content of B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium in pineapple, which have a positive effect on immunity and well-being.

Pineapple does not have the ability to sharply increase blood sugar, has a low glycemic index.

The enzyme bromelain also has an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effect, and also prevents the formation of blood clots and helps relieve swelling.

Pineapple is rich in fiber, which facilitates the movement of digested food in the intestines and relieves constipation.

Eating pineapple reduces the risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system and clears blood vessels of cholesterol plaques.

The recommended daily dose should not exceed 200 g.

pineapple

Possible harm from eating pineapple

Pineapple is certainly useful, but you need to know about its negative properties. Among them:

1. As noted above, pineapple has a high content of fruit acids. This fruit is contraindicated in people who have gastritis with high acidity and ulcers, especially during an exacerbation.
2. Be careful when eating fresh pineapple on an empty stomach (mucosal irritation is possible).
3. Unripe pineapples are not suitable for eating: the juice irritates the lips and has a strong laxative effect.
4. After eating pineapple, it is advisable to rinse the mouth for those who have sensitive tooth enamel.
5. Rarely, an allergic reaction to pineapple is possible.

Thank you for reading the publication to the end!

The information is for guidance only, expert advice is required.

benefits and harms, cutting methods, recipes

A knobby tropical fruit with a green tuft has long ceased to be a curiosity for our compatriots. Its taste is familiar even to children. But until now, not all housewives know how to cut a pineapple correctly, and buy it in canned form. Meanwhile, the benefits of fresh pineapple are much higher, it is less caloric and more suitable for those who want to lose weight. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with information about the benefits and harms of pineapple, recommendations for its use, recipes for dishes from it, and also learn several ways to cut it for serving or using it for culinary purposes.

Contents

Useful and harmful properties of pineapple

The benefits and harms of pineapple, its effect on the body are due to the composition of this fruit (which, by the way, is actually a grass). Approximately 85% of it consists of water, the rest is sugar, vitamins, trace elements, fiber and other substances, most of which are useful for the body.

The composition of pineapple

Let’s analyze which of the elements that make up pineapple in large quantities are the most remarkable, and what effect they have on our body.

• The most interesting pineapple is high in organic acids. Thanks to them, pineapple juice has a sour taste, which can irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. They help break down fats and proteins, fight free radicals.
• A valuable element in pineapple is bromelain (bromelain), which is credited with the ability to break down fats. In fact, it has nothing to do with fat burning. But this plant enzyme easily dissolves proteins, helping to digest meat and fight cancer, since a cancerous tumor, in fact, is a complex of amino acids.
• The high content of vitamin C in pineapple helps to strengthen the immune system.
• Beta-carotene, which is also abundant in the pinecone fruit, helps maintain visual acuity.
• Significant content of potassium and magnesium in pineapple pulp makes it useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
• Manganese is essential for strengthening connective tissues, bones, and joints.
• Pineapple contains quite a lot of fiber, and it consists of fairly coarse fibers. Accordingly, it helps to cleanse the intestines, normalize digestion.

Despite the fact that pineapple has a sweet taste, its energy value is not high – only 50-60 kcal per 100 g of product. Where else can you find such a low-calorie dessert?

It is worth mentioning that natural pineapple has all these properties. In canned, there is no longer ascorbic acid, bromelain. It contains useful trace elements, most of the fruit acids, but the benefits of eating canned fruit will be less significant. Yes, and the calorie content of such a product is higher.

Benefits of pineapple

Based on the above, we can name the main beneficial properties of pineapple.

• Pineapple helps keep the whole body young. It cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol, strengthens the heart, maintains joints and vision in good condition. The antioxidants contained in it in large quantities protect the cells of the body from destruction by free radicals. Are you looking for an anti aging remedy? So here it is: pineapple!
• The anti-cancer properties of the tropical fruit cannot be discounted. Let him not perform a miracle, but fight cancer at least a little, but help.
• Vitamins contained in pineapple help strengthen the immune system and help fight various diseases. In addition, the fruit has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been proven that its use helps to get rid of bronchitis faster.
• Also known are the beneficial properties of pineapple for the functioning of the urinary system of the body. It will help those who suffer from edema.
• Pineapple is legendary among girls who dream of losing weight. Some of its miraculous properties are greatly exaggerated, but nevertheless, the presence of a significant amount of fiber, organic acids, substances that reduce hunger, and the relatively low calorie content of the fruit make it possible to include it in the diet of those who follow a weight loss diet.

In no case should you make pineapple the basis of your diet: you will simply spoil your stomach.

Contraindications to the use of pineapple

Only two can be attributed to the harmful and dangerous properties of pineapple:

• high concentration of organic acids is dangerous for the digestive organs, tooth enamel;
• pineapple can cause allergic reactions, and this phenomenon is quite common.

Because of these properties, experts strongly advise against eating pineapple:

• people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• after cleaning teeth from calculus, in the presence of thin enamel;
• children under 6;
• people prone to allergies;
• nursing mothers.

Pregnant women are not forbidden to eat pineapple, but they are advised to observe moderation, since in some cases the use of this fruit can provoke abortive processes in the body.

It is desirable for healthy people to include pineapple in their diet, as it is very useful. However, they also have limitations.

Daily intake of pineapple is half a fruit or a glass of juice per day.

In the indicated quantity, the fruit will bring nothing but good.

How to eat pineapple without stinging in the mouth

The high content of organic acids in pineapple juice can cause unpleasant sensations in the mouth when consumed. How to eat fruit so that it does not sting in the mouth? Here are some suggestions:

• Peel the pineapple well, making sure to remove the eyes:
• cut the pineapple flesh into relatively small cubes so that you do not have to bite off the fruit from a large piece and get rid of the juice;
• discard pineapple if you have damage in your mouth, scratches, if you have stomatitis, after brushing your tooth enamel;
• Prefer ripe fruit, the juice of which is less pungent.

Allergies may be the cause of mouth discomfort when eating pineapple. If suspicions fall on her, the fruit will have to be abandoned.

How to choose a delicious pineapple

Unripe pineapple can cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. The taste is too sour.

Overripe fruit may not be fresh enough, cause poisoning, allergies.

When buying a pineapple in the store, it is important to be able to choose a fruit that is ripe and unspoiled. The following recommendations will help you with this:

• a ripe but not overripe pineapple has a greenish peel in the upper part, yellowish in the lower part;
• a good fruit has a lush “tuft”, and the leaves break out of it without effort;
• juicy fruit will not be light, when you tap on it, you hear a muffled, but quite loud sound. If it sounds hollow and weighs unexpectedly little, then its flesh is most likely already rotten;
• the presence of gray and brown spots on the peel indicates that the fruit is spoiled;
• when you press on the peel, you should feel that it is moderately elastic, it sags, but not much: a hard peel is a sign that the fruit has not yet ripened, overripe fruits are too soft.

Some people recommend smelling pineapple. You are unlikely to be able to determine the degree of maturity by smell, but if there are putrefactive notes, you can feel them – this will save you from an unsuccessful purchase.

7 ways to cut a pineapple

Cutting a pineapple the right way is not an easy task. Cooking courses often take several days to master this art. However, you should not give up: with a little practice, any housewife will cope with slicing pineapple no worse than a skilled chef. We offer 7 ways to peel and cut pineapple for serving it to the festive table or using it for cooking, the recipes of which will be given below.

The easy way

This is the easiest way to get pineapple chunks to add to a fruit salad or serve as a fruit cut.

1. Cut off the bottom of the pineapple. You can cut off the top one too or remove it later.
2. Place vertically on a table. Arm yourself with a large and sharp knife.
3. Remove the skin, making sure to capture some of the pulp where the skin has grown.
4. Take a knife with which to peel potatoes. Cut out the eyes.
5. Cut off the top if you haven’t already done so. Put the fruit upright again, cut it into 4 parts with a large knife.
6. Cut out the dense fibrous core with a thin knife.

It remains to cut the pineapple flesh into quarters or cubes. When serving, stick a skewer into each piece.

The core of the pineapple is not edible, but it is sometimes left in order to hold a piece of fruit and eat it.

Thai way

Initially, everything is done in the same way as when cutting the pineapple in the first way, but the pieces of the peel should be cut as thin as possible.

Next, the “eyes” are cut in strips in a spiral.

Then you can cut the pineapple in the same way as indicated in the previous version.

Filipino way

Cutting this way will definitely require a sharp long knife and dexterity.

1. Cut off the top and bottom.
2. Standing the fruit upright, stick a knife into it so that its blade is parallel to the peel.
3. Using the knife in a circle, cut out the center of the fruit.
4. Remove the pulp.
5. If any eyes remain, carefully cut them out.
6. Cut the pineapple flesh into discs.

It remains to cut into pieces of the desired size. The core, if desired, can be cut with a knife or a glass.

How to cut pineapple with washers

To get pineapple rings, like in a tin, the fruit must be cut into circles, then in waves so that the “eyes” remain with the skin, cut off the peel. The middle is easily squeezed out with a glass.

Using the technique

There is a special kitchen tool that allows you to slice a pineapple while peeling and removing the core at the same time. You won’t be able to use it right away, you’ll have to practice. It will not be easy to get such a wonderful slicer: in our country it is rarely on sale and is expensive. For home use, it is advisable to purchase it only if you eat pineapples almost every day.

The first way to cut pineapple for a buffet

For a buffet table, you can make boats with pineapple cubes. To do this, cut the pineapple lengthwise without removing the “tuft”. Cut out the pulp. Cut it into cubes, return to the pineapple “basket”.

The second way to cut a pineapple for a festive table

This time cut the fruit lengthwise into 4 pieces. From each part, cut a thin central strip (inedible core). Then the pulp is separated from the peel with a knife, but remains lying on it. After the pulp is cut into pieces, which are staggered in different directions, as shown in the photo. As a result, you get a beautifully sliced ​​pineapple for the buffet table. Just don’t forget to arm your guests with dessert forks so that they don’t have any trouble when they want to enjoy juicy appetizing pieces.

If a whole pineapple is on the table, it is not intended for eating, but only serves as a table decoration. For treats, pineapple is served sliced. If it is not peeled, the skin is cut off with a knife, a piece is eaten, holding the core. Peeled pieces can be picked up with a dessert fork or skewer, sent immediately to the mouth.

We also invite you to watch a video on how to cut a pineapple correctly.

Pineapple recipes

Pineapple is used in cooking not only for desserts. It makes delicious salads and hot appetizers. We offer a recipe for meat in French with pineapple and an unusual, but very beautiful and tasty version of pineapple fruit salad for the holiday.

French meat with pineapple pucks

What you need:

• pork neck – 0.5 kg;
• pineapple – 1 piece;
• onions – 0.25 kg;
• hard cheese – 150 g;
• salt, pepper to taste.

How to cook:

1. Wash the meat, dry it with a napkin, cut across the grain into pieces of one and a half centimeters, beat well.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put on a baking sheet.
3. Peel and cut the pineapple into rings. To do this, you can use a special device or a knife. How to cut a pineapple with washers is described above.
4. Cut the onion into thin half rings.
5. Sprinkle the pieces of meat with onion, brush lightly with mayonnaise.
6. Put pineapple rings on the pieces of meat, grease with mayonnaise.
7. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
8. Place in an oven preheated to 180-200 degrees, bake for 35-40 minutes.

Meat baked with pineapple and cheese will decorate any holiday table, regardless of the occasion.

Fruit salad in pineapple

What you need:

• pineapple – 1 pc.;
• orange, apple, banana – 1 each;
• kiwi – 2 pieces;
• nuts – to taste;
• yogurt, liqueur or fruit syrup for salad dressing, to taste;
• sugar – to taste.

How to cook:

1. Cut the pineapple in half, remove the pulp, cut into cubes.
2. Peel orange, banana, kiwi, apple. Cut out the core from the apple.
3. Cut fruit into cubes. Stir. Top with syrup or liqueur.
4. Fill salad bowls with pineapple.
5. Finely chop the nuts with a knife, grind the sugar in a coffee grinder.
6. Sprinkle the fruit with crushed nuts and powdered sugar.

This salad is suitable for a children’s party and for an adult party. You can offer it to guests for the New Year.

Pineapple is able to decorate the festive table. Its sweet and sour taste and unique aroma will win the heart of any gourmet. At the same time, pineapple is good for health, prolongs youth, promotes weight loss. However, in order to serve a tropical fruit to the table or use it to prepare delicious dishes, it must be properly peeled and cut. Of the 7 ways to cut pineapple, the hostess will find a suitable option. Armed with the advice of experienced chefs, even a novice cook will be able to prepare hot appetizers and pineapple desserts for the festive table. The reader will find the two most popular dishes with this fruit in this material.