Pineapple Country
Friday, December 21, 2007
Bocas de Toro Panama is pineapple country. There are
over 35 different varieties of pineapple. Listed below
are some of the more popular types from around the
world.
Smooth Cayenne
5 – 6 pounds, pale yellow to yellow flesh. Cylindrical in shape. High sugar and acid content. Well adapted to canning and processing. Its leaves do not have spines. This is the variety most often grown in Hawaii and is the most easily obtainable in the United States.
Hilo
Compact 2 – 3 pound plant. This is a small variation on the Smooth Cayenne. Grown mostly in Hawaii.
Red Spanish
2 – 4 pound plants. Pale yellow flesh with a pleasant aroma. It is semi square in shape. It is well adapted to shipping to distant markets.
Natal Queen
2 – 3 pound plant with a golden yellow flesh, crisp texture and a delicately mild flavor. It is best for fresh consumption and keeps well after ripening.
Kona Sugarloaf
5 – 6 pound plants with a white flesh and no woodiness in the center. It has a cylindrical shape. This plant has a high sugar content with little acid. This is an incredibly delicious fruit.
St. Michael
This is another strain of the Smooth Cayenne. It is generally grown in the Azores. It can be very sweet.
MD2
This is a variation on the Smooth Cayenne which is grown here in Panama.
Smooth Cayenne
5 – 6 pounds, pale yellow to yellow flesh. Cylindrical in shape. High sugar and acid content. Well adapted to canning and processing. Its leaves do not have spines. This is the variety most often grown in Hawaii and is the most easily obtainable in the United States.
Hilo
Compact 2 – 3 pound plant. This is a small variation on the Smooth Cayenne. Grown mostly in Hawaii.
Red Spanish
2 – 4 pound plants. Pale yellow flesh with a pleasant aroma. It is semi square in shape. It is well adapted to shipping to distant markets.
Natal Queen
2 – 3 pound plant with a golden yellow flesh, crisp texture and a delicately mild flavor. It is best for fresh consumption and keeps well after ripening.
Kona Sugarloaf
5 – 6 pound plants with a white flesh and no woodiness in the center. It has a cylindrical shape. This plant has a high sugar content with little acid. This is an incredibly delicious fruit.
St. Michael
This is another strain of the Smooth Cayenne. It is generally grown in the Azores. It can be very sweet.
MD2
This is a variation on the Smooth Cayenne which is grown here in Panama.
