Ghana’s Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, and Central areas are where pineapple is primarily grown. Ananas comosus is the botanical name of pineapple. The pineapple plant is low-growing with spiky leaves that stick out from the ground. With temperatures ranging from 20 to 36 °C and annual rainfall ranging from 600 to 4000 mm, these regions are important pineapple growing regions. In Ghana, smallholder pineapple farmers typically produce 1 to 10 acres of land without irrigation, making them heavily reliant on rainfall.
Suckers, slips, and crowns are only a few vegetative elements that can be used to produce pineapple. It is typically propagated in Ghana by suckers, and the harvest happens 16–18 months after planting. Vegetative, flowering, and yield formation stages are all involved in pineapple growth to maturity.
The taste of pineapple is distinctively that of a sweet and tangy tropical fruit. It has spiky and tough skin and it is available at any market or store. Pineapples can be eaten fresh, dried, or juiced. Fruit pieces from the base will be sweeter and more tender since the fruit’s base contains more sugar. Pineapple consists of 13% carbohydrates and 86% water.
Smooth Cayenne, MD2, Queen, and Sugarloaf are the three most widely grown pineapple varieties. Smooth cayenne has a cylindric shape, great fruit productivity, fruit is large and yellow excellent canning qualities, and high fruit quality.
Queen has a conical fruit form, moderate yield, small, tasty, and golden-coloured fresh fruit, not good for canning hence best eaten fresh; leaves have spines and are uncomfortable to work in.
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The MD2 is sweeter than the other varieties; it grows to a uniform size, ripens evenly, and has a longer shelf life than other varieties. Sugarloaf has a conical shape, has spines on the leaves, and remains green when ripe. The skin is difficult to peel when ripe, and it produces a lot of slips at the base of the fruit.
Pineapple is good for relieving symptoms of nasal congestion. Because of the fiber and water content, it helps to prevent constipation and promotes regularity and a healthy digestive tract. Furthermore, pineapple reduces inflammation and prevents blood clots from developing. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system and the body’s natural defences against infection.
There are numerous job opportunities related to pineapple production along the value chain. These range from production to consumption (Input providers, production, marketing, transporting, and processing).
A wonderful meat tenderizer is a pineapple. The meat’s protein content can be broken down by the bromelain in it. Some people may have a pineapple allergy and may have an itchy tongue or swollen lips shortly after they consume pineapple.
Although pineapple tastes great eaten straight up, it may also be used for puddings, salsas, marinades, fruit salads, pies, cakes, ice cream, yoghurt, punches, and other desserts. It also complements seafood, chicken, pork, ham, and other meats. The popular Piña colada makes use of pineapple.
Store uncut pineapple at room temperature for no more than two days, or it will become less sweet and more acidic. And keep in mind that pineapple is one of the most versatile fruits; make your version and have a remarkable dish.
