Maui Pineapple Company, Kahului, Hawaii, offers two unique varieties of 100% Hawaiian pineapple: the traditional Champaka variety, and the new extra-sweet Hawaiian Gold®. Mr. Pineapple ships pineapple everywhere and anywhere—www.mrpineapple.com or call 877-871-1943.rnrnPineapple was originally called “anana”—a Caribbean word for “excellent fruit”. European explorers called the fruit the “Pine of the Indies.” Later, when it was introduced to the English, the word “apple” was added to associate it with another delicious fruit that people enjoyed. Thus, the “pineapple” was born. rnThe pineapple is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay. Native tribes sailing up through South and Central America to the West Indies are thought to have spread its growth before Columbus arrived. rnPineapple was subsequently spread around the world on sailing ships that carried it for protection against scurvy. Some say a Spaniard brought the first pineapples to the Hawaiian Islands about 1813. Others think the pineapple didn’t reach Hawaii until 1886, brought from Guyana. rnrnPicking a ripe pineapple is difficult, because you can not rely on a pineapple’s shell as an indicator of ripeness—a pineapple can be ripe and ready to eat on the inside even with a green shell color. Pineapples don’t ripen any further once they’re picked. rnrnHow to cut a pineapple: Cut off the crown, Cut the fruit in half, then into quarters, Trim off the center core, Cut the fruit from the shell with a sharp knife, Cut each spear into bite-sized chunks and use within one week. rn