The pineapple is a fruit
native to the Asian tropics, with a delicate and fresh fragrance that's simply
irresistible! The top of the fruit resembles a royal crown or as some would say
the feathers of the mythical Phoenix bird and the flesh is golden like the skin
of the Asian pear. In Taiwanese the pronunciation of the word pineapple sounds
like a propitious blessing of good fortune and future prosperity.
It is a popular custom to decorate one's home
or office with symbols resembling the lucky and auspicious pineapple to ensure
that all of one's efforts will be blessed and all of one's goals will come to
fruition. The pineapple has been referred to in traditional culture as the best
gift for a house warming party and upon the opening of a new business or to
wish one's favorite political candidate success at the election boxes.
The pineapple was introduced to Taiwan long
ago and during the 19th century had become a common fruit throughout the
island. After the end of Japanese domination in Taiwan, the government engaged
in aggressive promotion of pineapple cultivation and within a decade the region
around Chiayi County had become a key producer of a hardy melting pot variety
of cross-bred pineapples. Since the pineapple enjoys high temperatures and has
excellent drought resistant properties and locations where the temperature
differentiates throughout the year and during the day are most ideal for
pineapple propagation. Spring are ideally conducive to the natural climactic
demands of the pineapple for the environment and weather.
A wide variety of
pineapples have been developed including the atemoya ice-cream-tree pineapple,
winter honey pineapple, ice cream pineapple, fragrant apple pineapple, perfume
pineapple and etc.
Pineapples do not have
the advantage of long-term storage, so for export purposes it is usually
harvested early to prevent deterioration in quality during shipment. Taiwan
pineapples are exported mainly to the Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canadian.
