You can find pineapples at the grocery store pretty much any time of year. While there is a definite peak season for these tropical treats, they do grow year-round. Just keep in mind that during the off-season, you might have to pay a little extra since they aren’t as plentiful.
Tropical Roots
It’s no surprise that pineapples originally come from the tropics. Today, they’re grown in warm, sunny climates all over the globe.
The world’s top pineapple producers include:
- Costa Rica
- The Philippines
- Brazil
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- India
- Nigeria
In fact, pineapples are so popular that they rank as the ninth most-cultivated fruit in the world!
Winter is Peak Season
The location of these farms gives us a big hint about when harvest time hits its stride. When we’re bundled up for winter, it’s summer in the tropics—the perfect weather for pineapples to reach their peak. That’s why the fruit you see in stores during the winter months has usually soaked up the best growing conditions.
That said, farmers harvest them all year long. Even when production slows down during our summer months, there’s almost always fruit ripening somewhere.
The “No Ripening” Rule
If you want the best flavor, I recommend reaching for pineapples in the winter. That’s your best bet for finding a fruit that’s truly vine-ripened. Knowing how to tell if a pineapple is ripe is a game-changer when you’re browsing the produce aisle.
First, check the color: you’re looking for a nice golden-yellow to brownish skin. If the pineapple is still green, it’s just not ready yet. And here’s a pro tip: don’t bother buying a green one thinking you can let it ripen on your counter. Unlike bananas, pineapples barely ripen at all once they’re picked. If it wasn’t harvested at its peak, the flavor isn’t going to get any better.
Your nose is another great tool. A ripe pineapple should actually smell like… well, pineapple! If it has no scent, it’s underripe. On the flip side, if it smells a bit fermented or like alcohol, it’s overripe and past its prime.
