If I were to ask you where you thought pineapples were cultivated, you’d probably say Hawaii, Costa Rica, or some other tropical location, right?
While these are certainly the most common locations in which pineapples are grown, many are surprised to find out that some of the world’s most delicious pineapples are cultivated on the Portuguese island of Sao Miguel, located in the Azores island chain in the Atlantic Ocean.
Pineapples are not native to this island, but the island’s favorable and stable climate allows for the tropical fruit to be grown in an oceanic, non-tropical location.
The only difference between traditional pineapple farms and the pineapple farms on Sao Miguel are that the pineapples grown here must be raised in greenhouses.
These greenhouses trap the heat produced by the sunlight on the island, raising the temperature to a sufficiently high level which favors the cultivation of the fruit.
Azoran pineapples are smaller than traditional pineapples, but don’t let their size fool you. They are extremely sweet and are considered a delicacy that is served as a dessert in Portugal.
If you ever have the chance, be sure to try an Azorean Pineapple and experience the delectable, tropical sweetness that comes from a place that isn’t even in the tropics!
