It was in Brazil in 1555 that Jean de LEW discovered pineapples.
Seduced, he writes: “The pineapple is worthy to be picked by the single hand of Venus and to be used for the food of the gods alone. "
Perennial plant with thorny leaves, its name "ana" means in the carsbe language "flower of perfume" and the repeating ana-ana "perfume of perfumes".
In Europe, in the 18th century, greenhouse cultivation of pineapples became a worldly phenomenon and reached its glory days. A somewhat unstable situation, this craze will quickly collapse at the end of this century thanks to the development of means of transport.
So much so that nowadays, pineapple remains above all an exotic fruit.
Pineapple is traditionally used for its content of carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, C.
It also contains an enzyme, bromelain or bromelain, whose property is to cut the peptide chains of food.
Its activity is therefore similar to that of pepsin in gastric juice. This is why it is often associated with slimming cures.
Very nutritious, pineapple is also used in the tradition as a detoxicant and diuretic.
Latin name: Bromelia sativa
Family: Bromeliad
Origin: South America
Part used: Fruit and stem
Activities: Promotes the digestion of proteins
Contraindication: Care should be taken not to use pineapple in the event of blood clotting disorders, severe liver or kidney disease.
Alternation: Papaya