Dole Superkids

Pineapple is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America. In 1493, Christopher Columbus found pineapples growing on the island of Guadeloupe and brought them back to Queen Isabella of Spain. Pineapples became very popular in Europe. As long ago as the 17th century, pineapples were grown in greenhouses throughout Europe.

How Pineapple Got Its Name

The Spanish explorers thought pineapple looked like a pine cone, so they called it "Pina." The English added "apple" to associate it with juicy delectable fruits. South American Indians had a name for pineapple meaning "fragrant excellent fruit," which became the basis for its botanical name "ananas." The scientific name for pineapple is Ananas Cosmosus.