The Victoria pineapple of Reunion Island

The tropical climate of Reunion Island is a blessing for fruit lovers! Mango, guava or pineapple: these sweet sun-kissed delights are very popular with foodies. Let’s have a closer look at the Victoria pineapple, one of the star tropical fruits of Reunion Island.

The origins of the Victoria pineapple

The history of the pineapple actually began far away from Reunion Island, somewhere in South America. The name comes from the Guarani term “nana” which could be translated as “fruity scent”. It was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus and Reunion Island began growing pineapples in 1668. The fruit thrives on this volcanic land and it grew very quickly on the island! It is enjoyed in desserts (sorbets, cakes or fruit salads) just as much as in meat “caris”, fish dishes, samosas or even punch and cocktail recipes! In 2005, the Victoria pineapple from Reunion Island was awarded the red label for the best pineapple in France… What an achievement!

Characteristics of the Victoria pineapple:

Very sweet taste
Light yellow flesh and a soft core

Did you know

The Victoria pineapple owes its name to Queen Victoria herself, who loved the delicate flavour of this fruit. With its golden colours and crown of leaves, the Victoria pineapple certainly does have a royal appearance…

To learn about how the Victoria pineapple is grown here

come and take a tour of the farm with Philippe

5 benefits of the Victoria pineapple

Fights colds

Pineapple is rich in vitamin C, giving the body a boost and preventing colds and other minor ailments.

Helps digestion

Thanks to soluble fibres, pineapple helps with digestion.

Detox power

With its high water and fibre content, the pineapple is perfect for detoxing your body.

Solid bones

Pineapple is a source of manganese, which helps reduce the loss of bone density.

Anti-cancer

Have you heard of bromelain ? Pineapple contains this enzyme which helps fight cancerous cells. Bromelain is also very efficient in treating burns !

What is the correct way to cut a Victoria pineapple ?

Cutting a pineapple is a technique, almost an art… But with a good knife and a chopping board, you’ll see, it’s actually quite simple!

Lay your pineapple on its side, on a flat surface.
Cut off the leaves section, and the base of the fruit.
To remove the skin, stand the pineapple up and use your knife to cut it off, from top to bottom.
Remove the eyes by cutting along the diagonals
Slice the pineapple into circles and remove the core that’s a bit too hard to eat (but edible!)
All that’s left to do is enjoy your pineapple and add it to your favourite recipe!