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Featured Posts
- St. Patrick’s Day Pineapple Punch
- Sheet Pan Perfect Pineapple Ham
- Can A Pineapple Really Live Under the Sea?
- Say Aloha to Our Hawaiian-style Ham and Pineapple Pasta Recipe
- Holiday Joy, Hanukkah, and Pineapple Kugel
- What are China’s Pineapple Science Awards?
- Fuel Up with Paleo Pineapple Fried Rice
- Best Gluten-Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Piña Colada Pie in a Jar
- Slow Cooking Your Pineapple This Fall
Featured
5 Reasons Why Pineapples are the New Halloween Pumpkin
Why You Should Fall for Pineapples this Halloween
As summer dwindles down and autumn approaches, now is the time to begin preparing for an abundance of fresh pineapple into our customer’s stores. As we will be discussing in the coming weeks, fall is one of the best times of the year for pineapple production from our farms in Costa Rica. One fun and delicious way to utilize these pinas is to incorporate them into the fun tradition of Halloween carving. We have listed a few reasons below as to why pineapples are the new pumpkin when it comes to fall festivities, and stay tuned for a video coming soon on how to easily carve your own Pineapple Jack-o-Lantern!
1. Availability
Most consumers identify pineapples as a refreshing summer fruit, and though they make the perfect pina colada, autumn is one of the best times of year to reap the benefits of pineapple harvesting. Pineapples are plentiful during the fall, which means stores are able to provide even more shelf space for the delicious fruit, which comes in abundance.
2. Cost efficiency
At under $5 a pop, obtaining a perfect, beautiful pineapple is cost efficient as it is convenient. The famed pumpkin may take the street corner, but pineapples take the cake when it comes to a happy wallet.
3. Snackability
After coring your perfect pineapple with an easy-to-use pineapple slicer, the fruit is immediately ready to enjoy as you carve your tropical creation. Craving Halloween decadence? Try melting dark or milk chocolate on-hand from trick-o-treaters and dipping in the pineapple. Sinfully delicious!
4. Health Benefits
Pineapple fruit contains half of the daily-recommended value of vitamin C and also contains nearly 75 percent of the daily-recommended value of the mineral manganese, which is essential in developing strong bones and connective tissue. Like many other fruits and vegetables, pineapple contains dietary fiber, which is essential in keeping your intestines healthy, but unlike many other fruits and veggies, pineapple contains significant amounts of bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein. In addition to having a hearty amount of vitamin C, pineapple’s bromelain may help reduce mucus in the throat and nose, making it a great snack for those with a cold or sinus infections.
5. Simplicity
Creating a pina-lantern is simple, especially with the use of readily-available tools such as the pineapple slicer. Just cut the top off the pineapple, use the tool to core the fruit, and use a carving kit to make your favorite fun or scary pina-face. Stay tuned into our blog and YouTube channel for tips on how to easily make your own in just minutes!
Photo by Amy Covington.
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Posted in Featured, Latest News, Tips & Tall Tales
Pineapple Banana Orange Popsicles
Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to enjoy end-of-summer treats made with delicious fresh pineapple. Combined with banana and Vitamin C-packed orange, these easy-to-make snacks can be whipped up in just 10 minutes. Pick up your Chestnut Hill Farms Perfect Pineapple at your local store that carries our farm-fresh produce near you and enjoy!
YIELD: 10 POPSICLES
PINEAPPLE ORANGE BANANA POPSICLES
You will fall in love with this Pineapple Orange Banana Popsicles recipe! These treats are tangy, sweet, and healthy!
TOTAL TIME: 10 MINS PREP TIME: 10 MINS
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups fresh chopped pineapple
- 3 bananas, peeled
- 2 oranges, peeled
DIRECTIONS:
Pulse all ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until firm.
Tip: These are also great when made with a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger!
(Original Recipe and photo from Gimme Some Oven.)
Posted in Featured, Latest News, Recipes
Superbug may have met its match….the Pineapple
The superbugs have been a growing threat for years due to an over reliance on antibiotics. What if I were to tell you that scientists have discovered another weapon to combat the superbug by simply fighting nature with nature?
Turns out the pineapple is a potential key component in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria, also known as the superbug. Studies have shown the enzymes, namely bromelain, contained within the stem and the roots of the pineapples can cure diarrhea in pigs. What a relief for both the pigs and the farmers! This natural solution would reduce the reliance on antibiotics in pig farming while also having the effect of not only diminishing antibiotics in pigs themselves but also reducing the human exposure to antibiotics during consumption.
Scientist believe this may also help reduce diarrhea in humans as well. So the next time you find yourself spending more time in the restroom than the office, try some pineapple, your organization will appreciate it.
Read more from the Sydney Morning Herald to learn about the natural superbug solution
Bromelain has been widely discussed in our blog read more about it here.
Posted in Featured, Latest News, Tips & Tall Tales
“If You like Piña Coladas…”
We all know those famous words sang by Rupert Holmes. (Go ahead, click here before you continue reading. We know you want to). Winter is almost over and springtime is near. We can almost see it! Spring Break vacations are currently being booked and for many the thought of a warm and balmy tropical paradises awaits.
Bringing the tropics to you ahead of schedule, here’s a Tropical Pineapple Margarita Slushy recipe you’re sure to melt over, by Whole and Heavenly Oven. Great for a much sooner happy hour with friends, these margaritas can also accompany a nice home-cooked dinner.
Picture courtesy of Whole and Heavenly Oven
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 cups of frozen diced pineapple
- Juice from 2 limes
- 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1-1/2 cups tequila
- 3/4 cup triple sec
- 1 cup ice cubes
Place it all together in the blender and mix on high speed until smooth. Serve in salt-rimmed glass and viola! You got yourself an early spring vacation in a cup glass.
Cheers!
Dr. Lloyd
Gimme’ Some Southern Hospitality
Picture courtesy of Zazzle.com
Welcome Y’all!
Our readers originally from the Southern United States – known lovingly as “the South” – know that there are some items found atop a dining room table that are considered quintessential when it comes to entertaining. Quite frankly, any respectable Southern host or hostess couldn’t bare the thought of inviting guests over without these arguably necessary reception pieces.
Sure, the list includes, ice cold sweet tea, warm homemade biscuits and crisp, yet creamy pecans. (Pronounced however you like it!)
Yet, what you you might not realize was also considered a very Southern adornment to the table was…you guessed it, a pineapple! Plenty more pineapples than flowers greeted guests to a family’s home during the 1600s and 1700s.
In fact, during America’s colonial days, a hostess’s ability to have a pineapple for an important dining event said as much about her rank as it did about her resourcefulness. The pineapple served as the ultimate table display and was a conversation starter. Even more interesting, the glowing, golden centerpiece was…rented. That’s right! As this post form Apartment Therapy explains, there is quite a story in the history of the hospitable pineapple.
Yes ma’am. People sure did go to great lengths to be charming and most importantly mind their manners. Now, if that’s not southern hospitality, we don’t know what is.
Y’all come back now, ya hear!
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Tagged history, hospitality, south
It’s a Bird. It’s a Plane. It’s the Superfruit!
Pineapples are one of nature’s superfruits. These powerful pieces of produce are loaded with numerous vitamins and minerals. But do you know just how many vitamins and minerals make up the pineapple’s secret identity?
With almost x-ray vision, the Authority Nutrition gives us a closer look at these golden, foot-sized nutritional heroes:
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C is disease’s nemesis. Great for your immune system, Vitamin C also gives you glowing skin. Just one cup of pineapple contains 132% of Vitamin C. KAPOW!
- Manganese – An essential trace mineral, 76% of your daily required manganese intake is found in just one cup of pineapple. BOOM!
- Copper – Pineapples also have good levels of natural copper, a co-creator in red blood cells. ZAP!
- Folate (B9) – A Vitamin B complex, Folate is important for tissue growth and cell function. Especially for women who are pregnant, plenty of Folate is found in a serving of pineapple. WHAAM!
Listen to your body and make sure to feed it right. When it’s time to head to the market, just be sure to call on this superfruit. It’s always here to help!
Enjoy your pineapples!
Dr. Lloyd
Posted in Featured, Tips & Tall Tales
Chestnut Hill Farms Participates in Fruit Logistica
Chestnut Hill Farms and Procomer, a public Costa Rican institution who promotes the exportation of Costa Rican goods and services throughout the world, participated last week at Fruit Logistica 2016 in Berlin, Germany.
Fruit Logistica is the leading trade fair for the international fresh produce trade. Fruit Logistica unites the fresh produce industry once a year and give’s industry makers the opportunity to approach potential business partners.
Posted in Featured, Latest News
Pineapple is in the air!
In case you missed it, Valentine’s Day is this Sunday. And everyone plays cupid differently. Some couples keep it traditional with flowers and chocolate, while others are just crazy for an elaborate date night.
Admittedly, we at CHF tend to fall in the latter category. Romantics? Possibly. Passionate? Definitely. But what exactly makes our hearts melt? How about forget-me-not…dinners!
The key to our cherished little hearts is an outrageously enchanting meal. So in the spirit of affection, here are some recipes that are sure to make you fall in love:
Image from Zazzle.com
To set the mood, try whipping up this refreshing Pineapple Cucumber Salad by Mom On Time Out. It’s light enough to leave plenty of room for a few more delicious courses.
As your entree, Carls Bad Cravings’ Thai Pineapple Peanut Chicken Satay and Pineapple Coconut Cashew Rice will impress your S.O. and showcase your (possibly, newly-found) cooking skills.
End the night with Dashing Dish’s Pineapple Whip. A perfect serving size for two, this delectable dessert will have you wanting more. (More sweets, of course!)
Whether you have a romantic dinner at home or a picnic by the beach, we wish and your loved ones a very happy Valentine’s Day!
Love,
Dr. Lloyd
The Secret Gene
Ah, science!
Since scientists first laid hands on the pineapple back in the early 16th century, they have wondered what this incredibly special fruit is made of. Carefully studying and enjoying the pineapple to find the secret hiding within its core, scientists have actually just learned the genetics under its crown.
In fact, and most interesting to researchers, is the understanding of how a pineapple can withstand droughts. Turns out it all comes down to a familiar process we learned about in grade school. Through recent testing they have learned how pineapples undergo photosynthesis.
The pineapple crop uses “CAM.” CAM stands for crassulacean acid metabolism, a type of photosynthesis that is so unlike the rest of many plant products.
One of the global trade’s most important tropical fruits, pineapples have an annual value of more than eight billion dollars. By furthering understanding the science behind how a pineapple naturally withstands climate changes, farmers like us can better prepare for all types of circumstances.
This article from Reuters.com gives more insight on the genetic secrets of this powerful fruit.
Neat, huh? Science, baby!
Dr. Lloyd
Sweet Escape
Winter is in full swing for those Perfect Pineapple™ fans located in the North and we’re pretty sure the weather has you dreaming for a summer vacation right about now!
Create your own beach getaway for dinner tonight. With the help of The Recipe Critic, you can be whisked away to the islands of Hawaii in a little over an hour. Talk about being in two places at once!
Baked Sweet Hawaiian Chicken Picture courtesy of The Recipe Critic
What you’ll need:
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1½ cup cornstarch
- 3 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup canola oil
- Sweet Hawaiian Ingredients:
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained
This Baked Sweet Hawaiian Chicken recipe gives traditional baked chicken a sweet and tangy pineapple taste. You’ll be dreaming of Hawaii with every bite.
Aloha!
Dr. Lloyd