Pineapple is neither a pine nor an apple. It got its name from its spiky outside looks like a pine cone and the pulpy flesh tastes like an apple.
Pineapple is a juice, sweet, and tangy fruit consumed in the summer season. It is a tropical fruit full of Vitamin C. Despite being a popular fruit, there is confusion about its classification. Many people think that pineapple is citrus fruit while on the other hand, some people wonder that it isn’t.
It is easy to assume that a pineapple is citrus fruit as they both have acidic, sweet flavors. Botanically speaking, these two types of fruit can’t be more different.
As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2020 global pineapple production reached above 27 million metric tons.
Let’s peel back the layers, whether pineapple is citrus fruit or not.
Pineapple Nutritional Facts
One cup (165 grams) of pineapple chunks has these nutrients and their daily recommended daily values (DV):
- Calories: 83
- Fat: 0.2 g (0% DV)
- Carbs: 22 g (8% DV)
- Protein: 0.9 g (2% DV)
- Vitamin C: 78.9 mg (88% DV)
- Sugar: 16 g
- Calcium: 21.45 mg (2% DV)
- Fiber: 2.3 grams (8% DV)
- Protein: 0.9 g (2% DV)
- Iron: 0.48 mg (3% DV)
- Potassium: 180 mg (4% DV)
Read More: Pineapple Benefits For Periods You Should Know!
Pineapple is Citrus Fruit? Debunking the Myth!
If you have been thinking that Pineapple is citrus fruit, then boom! Your myth is blown away. Because despite its acidic nature and tangy flavor, pineapple is not a citrus fruit.
People get confused due to its flavor profile as it has some similarities with many citrus fruits. However, the scientific classification based on botanical traits distinguishes this fruit from citrus fruits.
Scientific and Common Fruits Categorization
Generally, scientists categorize fruits into groups on the basis of their formation on the plant i.e., simple, aggregate, or multiple.
On the other hand, many folks categorize fruits into 1 of 7 unofficial but practical categories on the basis of seeds, skin, and flavor. Those 7 categories are as follows:
- Pome fruits: A core of seeds with a large amount of flesh around them and have a thin but edible skin like pears, apples, etc.
- Drupes or stone fruits: Fruits have a large seed in the middle with a moderate amount of flesh around. They are covered with a thin edible skin, like plums, peaches, or apricots.
- Berries: Juicy and soft fruits that have many seeds inside or outside such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc.
- Citrus: Fruits that have pulp inside and a few seeds with a leathery or spongy skin that cannot be eaten such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, etc.
- Tropical: Fruits that are native to tropical regions like bananas, mangoes, guavas, etc.
- Melons: Melons are big fruits from the gourd family with a hard outer rind, firm from the inside, having many seeds like cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, etc.
- Vegetables that are actually fruits: There are many fruits that people think of as veggies but they are fruits, by definition. These include avocadoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, beans, squash, etc.
کھجور مردوں اور عورتوں کے لیے بھرپور فوائد والا حیرت انگیز پھل
Pineapple is Not A Citrus Fruit – Reasons
1. Botanical Differences
The botanical classification highlights the structural and genetic differences between these fruits.
- Citrus fruits belong to the genus Citrus. These belong to Rutaceae, a family of flowering plants.
- On the other hand, Pineapples belong to the genus Ananas. They are bromeliads which is a family of plants growing in soil and have stiff, bright colored leaves.
Read More: 7 Useful Facts About Pineapple Benefits for Skin
2. Sweetness vs. Acidity
Pineapples and citrus fruits have an acidic taste; however, the acidity source differs.
- Citrus fruits have citric acid which gives them a tangy flavor.
- Pineapple has a combination of citric acid and malic acid which gives them a distinctive acidic and tangy flavor.
Read More: 8 Quick Ways to Use Pineapple For Weight Loss
3. Growth and Cultivation
Citrus fruits grow in tropical and subtropical regions, like pineapples. But, they both belong to different genera and plant families. They have different growth habits.
- Citrus trees are evergreen and produce multiple fruits per tree.
- Pineapple plants are herbaceous and give a single fruit per plant.
Read More: 7 Scientifically Approved Pineapple Benefits For Women!
4. Vitamin C Content
- Citrus fruits are known due to their richness in Vitamin C content.
- Pineapples do have some vitamin C but they are not as rich a source as citrus fruits.
5. Culinary Versatility
Both of the fruits are used in various culinary applications.
- Citrus fruits give zing to meals, desserts, and beverages.
- Pineapples add a tropical flair and sweetness to the dishes.
Read More: 15 Pineapple Benefits For Men – Is Pineapple Good for Men
6. Growth from Seeds
- Citrus fruits propagate and grow from their own seeds.
- Pineapples only produce clone plants and despite having seeds, they don’t grow from them. If you cut off and plant the crown of the fruit, it can grow into a new runner.
How to Incorporate Pineapple in Your Diet?
You can incorporate Pineapple into your diet in the following ways:
- Can eat it raw
- Make Pinacolda
- Add in a smoothie
- Make Pineapple Juice
- Make Pineapple Salsa
- Make a detox drink
- Use it as a face mask
Read More: Best Time to Eat Pineapple According to the Experts
Final Words
Pineapple is often considered a citrus fruit; however, it is a monocotyledon that belongs to the genus Ananas of the family Bromeliaceae. They have many characteristics and traits of citrus fruits but they are not citrus fruits.
You can incorporate pineapple into your diet in various ways to benefit your health.
If you have any queries related to pineapple or any other fruit, then you can consult the best nutritionist in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of fruit is a pineapple?
Pineapple is a composite fruit, developing from many ovaries and other floral parts. It is a type of sorosis fruit that is developed of spikes, spadix-type inflorescences, or catkins.
2. Which fruits are citrus?
Citrus fruits are a group of fruits that are juicy and are known due to their high Vitamin C content. Some of the common citrus fruits are lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, tangerines, etc.