Azores Pineapple

The history of the **Azores Pineapple** is quite interesting and began in the 19th century on São Miguel Island.

The Portuguese discovered the fruit during the colonization of Brazil and brought it to the Azores Archipelago, where it was cultivated in greenhouses and treated as an ornamental plant for cultural experimentation and botanical curiosity. It was only later that they realized the pineapple was a tasty fruit with significant commercial value.

Ananás dos Açores – Foto em estufa
Fotografia de ByAçores

In 1864, the first industrial-style greenhouse was built, with a capacity for 800 plants. The development was so rapid that shortly afterward, São Miguel Island already had 4,300 production greenhouses, thus starting the first pineapple exports.

By the early 20th century, the Azores Pineapple, internationally known, began to be exported to countries such as England, Germany, and Russia.

After over a century of commercialization in Europe, an important milestone for the Azores Pineapple was achieved in 1996 when the Azores/S. Miguel Pineapple Denomination of Origin was registered and protected by the European Commission through Regulation (EC) No. 1107/96, on June 12th.

Today, most of its production occurs in the city of Ponta Delgada.

### Azores Pineapple Plantation
The Azores Pineapple is produced in glass greenhouses using traditional cultivation techniques, applying “smoke” and using “hot beds” made of plant material.

It’s important that this “hot bed” soil is rich in organic matter to ensure the quality of the pineapples. Only one fruit is produced per pineapple plant.

Ananases Arruda
Fotografia de Cristina Pinto

In the first month of production, the plantation needs to be abundantly watered, and during the following months, this irrigation is reduced until it is completely stopped in the phase known as maturation, where significant changes occur in the physical and chemical aspects of the pineapples.

The “smoke” application occurs after four months and aims to burn vegetables inside the greenhouses so that the plants can all bloom at the same speed, thus maintaining control over the entire production.

This entire production process of the Azores Pineapple takes about two years, from planting to the moment the fruit is ready for harvest.

Ananás
Fotografia de Ana Fragata

### Curiosities
The pineapple is a cylindrical fruit, with a small to medium crown, yellow pulp, orange peel, high sugar content, moderate acidity, and a pleasant aroma. In the glass greenhouses, you can see the growth stages of the pineapples and learn more about their production process.

Another curiosity is that pineapples have nutritional value, such as vitamins C, A, B1, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, fibers, and bromelain, and they also regulate the heart’s muscle activity. It’s worth noting that the pineapple peel also has nutrients and can be used to prepare juices and teas.

### Visiting Pineapple Plantations

(C) elchicogris

If you visit São Miguel Island, don’t miss the Azores Pineapple by visiting the greenhouses on the island, including:
#### Ananases A Arruda
**Address**: Rua Doutor Augusto Arruda Fajã de Baixo 9500-454 Ponta Delgada

**Opening Hours**: Free entry / Open every day April to September from 09:00 to 20:00 October to March from 09:00 to 18:00

#### Ananás Santo António
**Address**: Rua José Manuel Bernardo Cabral nº 1 9500-450 Ponta Delgada

**Opening Hours**: Free entry Open every day from 09:00 to 18:00

#### Azores Pineapple Plantation
**Address**: Rua das Laranjeiras 9500-317 Ponta Delgada

**Opening Hours**: Open every day from 09:00 to 18:00

It’s a great activity for those who want to learn more about this delicious fruit, see up close its entire process: from the initial planting to harvesting and commercialization, as well as tasting pineapple-derived products such as jams, liqueurs, and others – which are also available for sale to the public.

**Tip:** Don’t miss the regional delicacy of black pudding with Azores Pineapple.