Pineapples are delicious tropical fruits that grow from a unique plant. Inside their golden-brown rough skin, they are filled with sweet and juicy yellow flesh. Their vibrant flavour makes them perfect for a summer drink or a fresh snack.
The term piña derives from the Latin word pinea, meaning cone. This name was chosen because the fruit’s appearance somewhat resembles a pine cone.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
La piña is a feminine noun and it takes the following definite and indefinite articles:
- la piña = the pineapple
- las piñas = the pineapples
- una piña = a pineapple
- unas piñas = some pineapples
La piña es una fruta dulce que me gusta comer en el verano.
Pineapple is a sweet fruit that I like to eat in the summer.
Fun Facts:
Besides Piña, pineapples are known by other names in different Spanish-speaking regions. In countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Bolivia, the term ananá is commonly used, originating from the Guaraní language. Additionally, in some Nahuatl-speaking areas of Mexico, pineapples are called matzatli. While piña is the most widely recognized term, ananá is especially popular in the Southern Cone.
This unique-looking fruta tropical (tropical fruit) grows in warm climates. It’s known for its spiky skin and its sweet and tangy taste. They also have a strong and sweet smell.
Health-wise, piñas are packed with vitaminas (vitamins), such as Vitamin C. They are also a great source of manganeso (manganese) which helps build strong bones. Piñas contain bromelina (bromelain), an enzyme that breaks down proteína (protein), making the fruit useful as a digestive aid and an anti-inflammatory. The high bromelain content makes raw pineapple juice helpful as a meat marinade and tenderiser.
María hizo un batido de piña para el desayuno.
Maria made a pineapple smoothie for breakfast.
Piñas were originally from South America and were grown by indigenous people. When the Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas, they took the piña and introduced it to the Caribbean islands, Central America, and Mexico. Eventually, they took the piña back to Europe too.
Today, they are grown in many países tropicales (tropical countries) around the world with warm weather. The leading producers include Thailand, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Brazil, India, China, and the state of Hawaii in the United States.
They grow from the ground from a plant resembling a large bush with sword-looking leaves. This plant has purple flores (flowers) and smaller leaves that join to form the pineapple fruit. The piña then grows from the center of that plant as a green fruit that slowly ripens to yellow.
Fun Facts:
One individual piña can take over two years to grow! That’s a long time! However, sometimes they are picked slightly earlier than this.
La piña crece en una planta que parece una pequeña corona.
The pineapple grows into a plant that looks like a small crown.
The spiky leaves on the top of a pineapple are called la corona (the crown). This part is not eaten, but instead, it can be planted. The rough yellow outside of the fruit isn’t eaten either, but the yellow flesh inside is. When the piña is ready to be eaten, it’s a versatile fruit in the kitchen. Below are a few dishes, combinations, and drinks:
- jugo de piña = pineapple juice
- pizza de piña = pineapple pizza
- piña fresca = fresh pineapple
- piña en almíbar = pineapple in syrup
- piña enlatada = canned pineapple
- piña asada = roasted pineapple
- piña natural = natural pineapple
- piña y coco = pineapple and coconut
- piña colada = tropical drink made with pineapple and coconut/cocktail with rum
The piñas leaves contain a silky fiber. In the Philippines, people weave the fiber into a delicate fabric called piña cloth.
In some cultures, piñas are a symbol of bienvenida y hospitalidad (welcome and hospitality). For this reason, they are often used as gifts.
Their unusual shape makes them popular choices for home and party décor.
Piñas are frequently associated with the Hawaiian Islands, often viewed as a symbol of the region. This association has led to the inclusion of the term Hawaiian in the names of various foods, such as Hawaiian pizza and Hawaiian rolls. You might also be familiar with the idea of a “Hawaiian-themed party,” which evokes the tropical and vibrant spirit of the islands.
Fun Facts:
The piña colada (strained pineapple) is a popular cocktail made from fresh pineapple juice and rum. It is said to have originated in a bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1954 by a bartender named Ramón “Monchito” Barrero. It took him three months to create the perfect version.
The drink’s popularity has made it a staple at beachside locations worldwide. Its fame is further cemented by the hit song “Escape” by Rupert Holmes, which prominently features the cocktail. Although the song’s title is “Escape,” it’s commonly known as “The Piña Colada Song.”
Spanish idioms featuring ‘piña‘
Ser dulce como una piña
Literal translation: to be sweet like a pineapple
English meaning: to be someone who is very sweet or kind
Cortar la piña
Literal translation: to cut the pineapple
English meaning: to start something new or divide something up
Ser como piña en una fiesta
Literal translation: to be like a pineapple at a party
English meaning: to feel out of place or stand out / to be the life of the party
