The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: simon_grow on April 01, 2017, 01:38:50 PM
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Does anyone know what variety of pineapple has the highest Brix? From the Googling around, looks like Meli Kalima is the sweetest with a Brix around 28% in the Summer and closer to 21% in the Winter. Unfortunately, this variety Is patented and is sold with the top cut off very low so that the crown will not grow.
http://i-pineapple-a.blogspot.com/2013/09/hawaii-meli-kalima-honey-cream-pineapple.html?m=1 (http://i-pineapple-a.blogspot.com/2013/09/hawaii-meli-kalima-honey-cream-pineapple.html?m=1)
Does anyone know of other, ultra high Brix Pineapples? I'm looking for something I can potentially cross with my White Jade pineapples.
Does anyone know how high of a Brix the Eleuthera pineapples can get?
Anyone have suggestions what might be a good cross with the White Jade to produce an ultra sweet Pineapple?
Simon
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I think the sugar loaf pineapples are very sweet. But it's not because of high brix reading but because they have a lot less acidity. So there are other factors to perceived sweetness besides brix readings.
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I think the sugar loaf pineapples are very sweet. But it's not because of high brix reading but because they have a lot less acidity. So there are other factors to perceived sweetness besides brix readings.
I have repeatedly stated this with everyone who comments on the sweetest mango based on brix. Each individual's taste buds can also have a bearing on perceived sweetness.
Other issue I have one people rating quality based on what a refractometer says...taste of the actual fruit is far more important than a number on a meter... ::) :P
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All valid points, White Jade is a low acid sweet variety and will definitely be the maternal parent for any breeding attempts. I'm looking for high Brix readings because I need data that can be measured.
Oscar, do you think the Kona Sugarloaf is similar to the White Jade?
I used to breed Show guppies, Discus, Bettas and Flowerhorns. In any breeding program, I've learned it's best to pick a single attribute you want to set and breed before breeding in other traits. I've selected Brix as the focus of any potential future breeding projects because as I see it, even a highly acidic, high Brix variety crossed with a low acid high Brix variety(White Jade) and then back crossed to the low acid high Brix variety will give me something that is reasonably acidic with high Brix.
Maybe I can ask for everyone's opinion for the best tasting ultra sweet variety, find the top rated ones and cross those to the White Jade and then select for the best tasting offspring that tastes the best and sweetest? A guppy breeder can see the fault in this second method.
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to pineapples so any recommendations on the best tasting ultra sweet variety of pineapples that is not patented would be greatly appreciated. Any Brix readings are an added bonus because sweetness is so subjective without a reading. Thanks in advance!
Simon
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"Josapine" is reported to get between 17 and 22% Brix.
http://www.itfnet.org/v1/2016/05/pineapple-common-varieties/ (http://www.itfnet.org/v1/2016/05/pineapple-common-varieties/)
I'm going to purchase a store bought pineapple so that I can get a beseline reading that I can compare others to.
Does anyone have a Brix reading on the White Jade?
Simon
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As was mentioned above the taster can perceive sweetness differently. Also as far as pineapples go the more ripe they are the sweeter they get to my palette, and I've been told that they are starting to turn bad by others more sensitive to whatever flavor bothers them that doesn't bother me.
I do not think either of my white jade will produce this year but when they do, I'll let y'all know how I liked them :-)
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All valid points, White Jade is a low acid sweet variety and will definitely be the maternal parent for any breeding attempts. I'm looking for high Brix readings because I need data that can be measured.
Oscar, do you think the Kona Sugarloaf is similar to the White Jade?
I used to breed Show guppies, Discus, Bettas and Flowerhorns. In any breeding program, I've learned it's best to pick a single attribute you want to set and breed before breeding in other traits. I've selected Brix as the focus of any potential future breeding projects because as I see it, even a highly acidic, high Brix variety crossed with a low acid high Brix variety(White Jade) and then back crossed to the low acid high Brix variety will give me something that is reasonably acidic with high Brix.
Maybe I can ask for everyone's opinion for the best tasting ultra sweet variety, find the top rated ones and cross those to the White Jade and then select for the best tasting offspring that tastes the best and sweetest? A guppy breeder can see the fault in this second method.
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to pineapples so any recommendations on the best tasting ultra sweet variety of pineapples that is not patented would be greatly appreciated. Any Brix readings are an added bonus because sweetness is so subjective without a reading. Thanks in advance!
Simon
I think acidity is measurable. All you have to do is squeeze some juice out and use a pH meter and you get a number.
I haven't measured brix on the sugarloafs, but will do it this summer and let you know. Will do same for the red pineapple i have.
BTW, the correct name is White Sugarloaf. The name Kona sugargoaf is an usurped misnomer. These pineapples were originally introduced here by Andy Sarhanis who lived and first planted them in Puna (east side) not Kona (west side).
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All valid points, White Jade is a low acid sweet variety and will definitely be the maternal parent for any breeding attempts. I'm looking for high Brix readings because I need data that can be measured.
Oscar, do you think the Kona Sugarloaf is similar to the White Jade?
I used to breed Show guppies, Discus, Bettas and Flowerhorns. In any breeding program, I've learned it's best to pick a single attribute you want to set and breed before breeding in other traits. I've selected Brix as the focus of any potential future breeding projects because as I see it, even a highly acidic, high Brix variety crossed with a low acid high Brix variety(White Jade) and then back crossed to the low acid high Brix variety will give me something that is reasonably acidic with high Brix.
Maybe I can ask for everyone's opinion for the best tasting ultra sweet variety, find the top rated ones and cross those to the White Jade and then select for the best tasting offspring that tastes the best and sweetest? A guppy breeder can see the fault in this second method.
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to pineapples so any recommendations on the best tasting ultra sweet variety of pineapples that is not patented would be greatly appreciated. Any Brix readings are an added bonus because sweetness is so subjective without a reading. Thanks in advance!
Simon
I think acidity is measurable. All you have to do is squeeze some juice out and use a pH meter and you get a number.
I haven't measured brix on the sugarloafs, but will do it this summer and let you know. Will do same for the red pineapple i have.
BTW, the correct name is White Sugarloaf. The name Kona sugargoaf is an usurped misnomer. These pineapples were originally introduced here by Andy Sarhanis who lived and first planted them in Puna (east side) not Kona (west side).
Oscar, are pineapples still commercially grown in Hawaii?
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All valid points, White Jade is a low acid sweet variety and will definitely be the maternal parent for any breeding attempts. I'm looking for high Brix readings because I need data that can be measured.
Oscar, do you think the Kona Sugarloaf is similar to the White Jade?
I used to breed Show guppies, Discus, Bettas and Flowerhorns. In any breeding program, I've learned it's best to pick a single attribute you want to set and breed before breeding in other traits. I've selected Brix as the focus of any potential future breeding projects because as I see it, even a highly acidic, high Brix variety crossed with a low acid high Brix variety(White Jade) and then back crossed to the low acid high Brix variety will give me something that is reasonably acidic with high Brix.
Maybe I can ask for everyone's opinion for the best tasting ultra sweet variety, find the top rated ones and cross those to the White Jade and then select for the best tasting offspring that tastes the best and sweetest? A guppy breeder can see the fault in this second method.
I'm a complete newbie when it comes to pineapples so any recommendations on the best tasting ultra sweet variety of pineapples that is not patented would be greatly appreciated. Any Brix readings are an added bonus because sweetness is so subjective without a reading. Thanks in advance!
Simon
I think acidity is measurable. All you have to do is squeeze some juice out and use a pH meter and you get a number.
I haven't measured brix on the sugarloafs, but will do it this summer and let you know. Will do same for the red pineapple i have.
BTW, the correct name is White Sugarloaf. The name Kona sugargoaf is an usurped misnomer. These pineapples were originally introduced here by Andy Sarhanis who lived and first planted them in Puna (east side) not Kona (west side).
Oscar, are pineapples still commercially grown in Hawaii?
Yes, just not on the same vast scale as before.
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Oscar, are pineapples still commercially grown in Hawaii?
Hell ya, especially on Maui.
Hard to beat pineapple that is probably the White Sugarloaf. It's the Dole brand from Hawaii. Flavor is over the top on these "twistees" !
(https://s12.postimg.cc/hx96uajcp/Pineapples_July31_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hx96uajcp/)
(https://s3.postimg.cc/eofl7noun/Pineapples_July31.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/eofl7noun/)
Been to Hawaii, Maui, Kaui many a time and never had a fully ripened pineapple. Even the fruit stand guys are selling green pineapples. For me they are best completely gold top to bottom.
White Jade fruit better live up to the hype. The vigor and growth habit sucks! :-\
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Mark, could you post a picture of your White Jade. My TC ones are slow too but one I bought at the nursery was growing like mad in 1-gallon pot.
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Those look beautiful Mark!
Adam did mention that the tissue cultured plants are slower to start but once they establish their roots and gain some size, they should grow as fast as other pineapples. Hopefully your plants will pick up the pace. I'm going to try to veg out my White Jades for another year before hoping for fruit so they will be about 4 years old before I get flowers.
Simon
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Mexican brand pineapple call "piña miel" is very sweet and has a very attractive bright 🔆 yellow flesh, here is available in Walmart maybe over there they also carry this one..
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Thanks Raul, I'll look it up. I can't believe all the different varieties of pineapples there are.
Simon
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Mexican brand pineapple call "piña miel" is very sweet and has a very attractive bright 🔆 yellow flesh, here is available in Walmart maybe over there they also carry this one..
I've just realized that I bought the 'Pina Miel' today at the local Flea market. Didn't pay attention to the tag until now, after reading your post, Raul.
(http://i.imgur.com/OZgYYef.jpg?1)
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Jubilee and Festival are low acid and very sweet and the rough leafed Queen types can be pretty sweet.
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I'll try to get a photo of my White Jade, hope you kept that top Galka. Leaves turned red during the winter because of the cold I suspect. One of my problems is root rot because I (did) water during winter. Pineapples don't like temps below 45F and I let the greenhouse get down to 34F every year - aint paying for all that propane! By backing off on the winter watering I'm having much better luck.
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Yes, I sure did. :)
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"Adam did mention that the tissue cultured plants are slower to start but once they establish their roots and gain some size, they should grow as fast as other pineapples"
There must be some extreme variability afoot?. On another board two Florida hobbyists swear they get fruit from store bought cut/rooted tops in LESS than a year, and mine are always 2+ years. My 6 tissue cultures I have are 2 years old and in ground and still look like small 8" juveniles. Grrr...
Unlike previous winters I watered intermittently this winter and my pineapples are growing faster than ever :-)
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On another board two Florida hobbyists swear they get fruit from store bought cut/rooted tops in LESS than a year,....
Aint buying it. Unless they started those cuttings in the winter, live in Miami (think winter sun and a warm winter) and religiously feed them with the proper food like a 9-3-6 with a good micro package, especially Fe.
Many struggle to get fruit within 3-4 years but it's always because they're not treating their fruits right. ;)
There's a damn good reason why one should grow "twistees". The clones are superior commercial types that produce high quality fruit and produce them fast. A commercial op is not going to waste their time and money on a variety that sucks. My Cayenne and some other clones are the same way - low vigor and no fruit yet, going on 3 years.
Yeah, come winter they don't like much if any water.
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As an aside, there's prep work. Easiest and most efficient start for me is using a corer. If the pineapple is really big and long like this one you can attack it from both ends. After coring slicing down the sides with a sharp chef's knife wastes very little meat compared to the fancy smancy ones that do spirals. Those spiral cutting wheels are a certain size, usually 3.5" and one size doesn't fit all.
(https://s23.postimg.cc/exkd7khxj/corer.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/exkd7khxj/)
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Mark, could you post a picture of your White Jade. My TC ones are slow too but one I bought at the nursery was growing like mad in 1-gallon pot.
Here ya go, two, 2 yr. old "physically challenged" sistas. Red bronzing is probably from the winter cold. New foliage is green.
(https://s3.postimg.cc/w5k9ebnrz/White_Jade_April.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/w5k9ebnrz/)
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There's a damn good reason why one should grow "twistees". The clones are superior commercial types that produce high quality fruit and produce them fast. A commercial op is not going to waste their time and money on a variety that sucks. My Cayenne and some other clones are the same way - low vigor and no fruit yet, going on 3 years.
Yeah, come winter they don't like much if any water.
By twistee you must mean from supermarket....the top off one of those. Right? The new golden commercial pineapples I see are pretty darn good as long as they are shipped to USA in a ripe enough state. I saw some awful green ones the other day. I doubt they would ever taste sweet even if you bought one and let it sit for seven days. They were from Costa Rica and going for $1.30 each.
But you grow your twistee at home and let ripen then you are good!
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"Adam did mention that the tissue cultured plants are slower to start but once they establish their roots and gain some size, they should grow as fast as other pineapples"
There must be some extreme variability afoot?. On another board two Florida hobbyists swear they get fruit from store bought cut/rooted tops in LESS than a year, and mine are always 2+ years. My 6 tissue cultures I have are 2 years old and in ground and still look like small 8" juveniles. Grrr...
Unlike previous winters I watered intermittently this winter and my pineapples are growing faster than ever :-)
I am one of them. ;) Also I am a lazy hobbyist when it comes to "religiously feed them with the proper food like a 9-3-6 with a good micro package, especially Fe." I put my pineapples in the garage to overwinter.
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That's right Zands. A properly ripened fruit from a store bought pineapple top is pure heaven. It's probably one of the most overlooked fruits we can easily grow. I've got a Costa Rica twistee started. Not doing so hot but is improving. Had some inner leaf rot going on, probably because of the cold. Here's what I do - twist (not cut) the top off. Carefully pull off about 3-6 bottom rows of leaves which exposes the root nubs. Let dry on the counter for a day or so. Plant in a well drained soil and stake or cage.
Galka, they're tropical meaning they need very strong light. If you have a south facing window during the winter it might work out better for you.
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That's right Zands. A properly ripened fruit from a store bought pineapple top is pure heaven. It's probably one of the most overlooked fruits we can easily grow. I've got a Costa Rica twistee started. Not doing so hot but is improving. Had some inner leaf rot going on, probably because of the cold. Here's what I do - twist (not cut) the top off. Carefully pull off about 3-6 bottom rows of leaves which exposes the root nubs. Let dry on the counter for a day or so. Plant in a well drained soil and stake or cage.
Galka, they're tropical meaning they need very strong light. If you have a south facing window during the winter it might work out better for you.
I like your logic on this. That the commercial growers are not going to go with varieties that are not strong, productive and taste good. Do you remember the white acidy pineapples we used to get in the USA? We started getting these new golden pineapple varieties about 15 years ago. I could be wrong but seems the new golden pineapples are all Central American grown. Their agricultural research and plantations paid off so well that Hawaii no longer exports many pineapples. Central America took over at least in the Eastern United States.
Anyone from California......where do your pineapples come from? Central America? Asia?
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Anyone from California......where do your pineapples come from? Central America? Asia?
Mostly from Costa Rica. I don't know where to find pineapples from other places.
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Anyone from California......where do your pineapples come from? Central America? Asia?
Mostly from Costa Rica. I don't know where to find pineapples from other places.
Thanks! I saw Costa Rica on the pineapple crate- box the other day but have seen other Central American nations on boxes too.
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http://en.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Figures_on_Pineapple_Exports_in_Central_America (http://en.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Figures_on_Pineapple_Exports_in_Central_America)
Figures on Pineapple Exports in Central America
In 2015 Costa Rica continued to lead the export of fresh and dried pineapples with $822 million, followed by Honduras, with $26 million and Panama, with $22 million.
Monday, November 28, 2016
inShare
Figures on the Pineapple market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com, show that in 2015 the countries of Central America exported a combined total of 2 million 13 thousand tons of fresh or dried pineapple, equivalent in value to $871 million.
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http://en.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Figures_on_Pineapple_Exports_in_Central_America (http://en.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Figures_on_Pineapple_Exports_in_Central_America)
China Authorizes Imports of Pineapple from Costa Rica
Thursday, March 16, 2017
With the phytosanitary approval granted by China an opportunity has opened up to sell fresh pineapples in one of the markets with the greatest growth potential.
Twenty pineapple producers have already expressed their interest in exporting pineapple to the Chinese market. Now that the phytosanitary permit has been obtained exporters have an opportunity to start looking for counterparts and begin selling the fruit.
Costa Rica: Preparations for Pineapple Exports to China
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
There only remains a technical visit to be made by Chinese authorities in order to complete the evaluation process and start exporting pineapples to China.
Estimates by the SFE indicate that there are 20 companies interested in exporting pineapples to China.
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The trashy old sour cayenne was a good one for canning and does well in subtropical (which is the same zone as warm temperate) but times have changed. In my area people have long preferred the rough leafed queen types and now ask for Mareeba gold by name and the low acid sweet and improved selections. At least one is a rebadged Hawaiian type.
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http://vazhakulampineapple.org/pineapple-varieties/ (http://vazhakulampineapple.org/pineapple-varieties/)
If there are only a few basic lines I bet all the good low acid ones getting around now were derived from the Hawaiian golds and queens (such as ripleys). There was much fanfare here when a coconut flavoured one was released
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Easy to grow= like weed natal queen always very good to me perfect acid x sugar ratio.What good is sweetest without balance just wish they were bigger but you could eat most of the core . Just sweet ? taste like bag of sugar.Think mangosteen without acid balance or lemon zest mango= not to great
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Our grocery pineapples are now from Costa Rica. Hawaii will be next.
Change gears, ya'll probably have heard me diss Cali. and Florida citrus fruit in favor of Texas citrus. For some reason (harvest ops? ) Texas fruit is richer, more juicy. Perhaps it's the sour orange rootstock, terroir....don't know. Am eating valley grapefruit now, $4.00 for a big bag of 15# plus that has a brix of 11. Sections are large and even, come out like butter with a grapefruit spoon.
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http://vazhakulampineapple.org/pineapple-varieties/ (http://vazhakulampineapple.org/pineapple-varieties/)
If there are only a few basic lines I bet all the good low acid ones getting around now were derived from the Hawaiian golds and queens (such as ripleys). There was much fanfare here when a coconut flavoured one was released
Mike T, I came across the article about the coconut-flavored pineapple and was wondering id it was ever released. Did you have a chance to taste it? Do you have the actual plant? I would love to have this one in my collection. Also, can't find the Queen. :(
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Easy to grow= like weed natal queen always very good to me perfect acid x sugar ratio.What good is sweetest without balance just wish they were bigger but you could eat most of the core . Just sweet ? taste like bag of sugar.Think mangosteen without acid balance or lemon zest mango= not to great
Can I ask for a slip/sucker or two?
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I've seen Queen in a Korean supermarket. 1 top survived out of 4 through the winter. Hopefully it rooted.
You're talking about the ones sold as mini pineapples, right? It even says 'queen' on the box.
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I want all these varieties. A coconut flavored pineapple sounds interesting. I wish I had Brix readings for all these different varieties. I'm ok as long as the pineapple is considered one of the best tasting, but the title of this thread is "the sweetest pineapple". For those of you wondering why I'm so obsessed with the sweetest pineapple, it's because I feel that there is a strong correlation between high Brix levels and quality of fruit. Yes, a plain cup of sugar water is boring and is super sweet but pineapples will naturally have some acidity to balance out the sugars.
If you don't believe what I'm saying, I challenge you to order a Meli Kalima from Frankie's, order it in Summer, and compare it to what you consider to be the best tasting pineapple. You'll get the picture in short order. I appreciate all the input from everyone. Tastes are so subjective and I know most people don't have refractometers but I personally feel that they are absolutely worth the expense as a rare fruit enthusiast. They only cost about $30 for a Chinese model and you can start tracking the quality of fruit as the season progresses.
The same variety of fruit is not always the same quality and Brix level. The first fruits wether it's mangos, loquats, cherimoya, etc generally start out with lower Brix and quality is considered lower. The main season fruit tend to have better sugar acid balance with an increased Brix level of several points. Commercial orchards use Brix readings to determine when to harvest fruit.
In reality, what I'm really trying to do is to create something similar to the Meli Kalima. I have already decided to use the White Jade as one of the parents because of its low acidity, good flavor and lack of spines. I want to minimize the number of traits I'm requesting from forum members suggestions so I'm focusing on Brix as this is easily measured. Quality is highly subjective and people often say variety X is super sweet and excellent tasting but how sweet was it really? Perhaps it was perceived as sweet when in reality it was perceived as sweet because it was low acid.
I am still extremely interested in what forum members consider the best tasting even if it's subjective. There is little information I can find on the internet and beggars can't be choosers. Thanks again for all the suggestion, I hope people don't take it the wrong way. I apologize if I sound argumentative, I just want to explain my reasoning why I'm focusing on one trait(Brix). Breeding is extremely difficult for professionals so imagine a backyard hobby grower wanting to experiment with a cross or two. I have to focus on one trait at a time and hope for a lot of luck along the way.
I've never tasted a Meli Kalima before but my good friend has and it changed him. He started wanting to grow pineapples after he tried that variety but he can no longer eat regular store bought pineapples.
Simon
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I've seen Queen in a Korean supermarket. 1 top survived out of 4 through the winter. Hopefully it rooted.
You're talking about the ones sold as mini pineapples, right? It even says 'queen' on the box.
I completely forgot about the mini pineapple! I remember eating one a long time ago and it was. Dry sweet with good sugar acid balance. Hmm, the mini crossed with a White Jade could be awesome. Thanks Fang!
Simon
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The little pineapples I bought were pretty acidic. I chose the most ripe ones I saw. Descriptions online say they're sweet, so maybe these were not ripened properly. I wanted to grow them to see how good they can be. Plus they might look good in small pots.
They were gone the following week so I couldn't get any more. At checkout they actually charged me $1 for 3.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/lsppwagrr/IMG_20170115_172509-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lsppwagrr/)
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Our grocery pineapples are now from Costa Rica. Hawaii will be next.
Change gears, ya'll probably have heard me diss Cali. and Florida citrus fruit in favor of Texas citrus. For some reason (harvest ops? ) Texas fruit is richer, more juicy. Perhaps it's the sour orange rootstock, terroir....don't know. Am eating valley grapefruit now, $4.00 for a big bag of 15# plus that has a brix of 11. Sections are large and even, come out like butter with a grapefruit spoon.
Texas citrus is all eaten in Texas...so it seems to me. A while back I was in Texas during springtime and earlier and ate Texas citrus. It was very good.
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Fang, those aren't the tiny sweet pineapples I'm thinking of. The ones I'm talking about can be found at vons and are super small. I'll see if I can find some next time I go shopping. I'll take a Brix reading of any pineapples I sample so that we can get a baseline. I believe I read somewhere that most store pineapples are around 15-17% Brix.
Simon
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I take that back Fang, those are the same ones I was thinking of, the picture makes them look really large. I saw them at Vons but they were all over ripe although they smelled really good. I didn't purchase any this time, I'll wait for a new shipment as these had fungus and rotted out cores.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/qd2m91etz/IMG_1812.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qd2m91etz/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/5u7q3z0wn/IMG_1813.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5u7q3z0wn/)
As you can see on the tag, these are also labeled as Queen
Simon
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If you don't believe what I'm saying, I challenge you to order a Meli Kalima from Frankie's, order it in Summer, and compare it to what you consider to be the best tasting pineapple.
I haven't tried this yet, but when I was at Frankies for about 20 mins, there was no less than 6 cars that came looking for this. Its pretty popular.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-21/passion-for-pineapples-pays-off-for-pinata-farms/8138020 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-21/passion-for-pineapples-pays-off-for-pinata-farms/8138020)
Queens are the class of rough leafed pineapples with small eyes and there are lots of varieties like ripleys.They can be large or small.Mareeba gold is just an improved gold line that started in Hawaii.I have not been able to get any coconut variety to try.Compared to the pineapples I ate in Thailand the local ones around here are better and sweeter.
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There are new and sweet types coming out all the time for commercial growers.I have seen those small ones here and are mainly grown in backyards.
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Mike, I wish we could get the Mareeba Golds here. Australias agriculture is expanding and pushing the envelope by breeding new varieties and bringing in new varieties like the seedless Lychees.
After some consideration, I decided I will not attempt to cross the White Jade with another high Brix variety. It would require too much research and space to achieve anything worth the effort involved. Pineapples grow slower in my cold climate and each generation will take much too long to grow to flowering.
My original plan was to cross the White Jade with an ultra sweet variety, grow out a few seedlings and then back cross to the White Jade. I would need a lot of luck to get anything decent tasting as I know nothing about pineapple genetics.
I'm still interested to hear what everyone feels is the best tasting sweet pineapple is but I'm betting heavily that it's probably the Meli Kalima.
Simon
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I purchased this Tropical Gold Pineapple grown in Guatemala and cut it open to get a baseline Brix reading of the typical store bought Pineapple here in SAN Diego. The bottom of the fruit was noticeably sweeter with a Brix of 15%. The middle of the fruit had a Brix of 14% and the top had a Brix of around 13%.
Oscar thanks for the tip regarding the White Sugarloaf. I ordered a couple fruit to sample and will give a Brix reading as soon as I cut the fruit open. I know that the pineapples are not at their peak right now, peak season is around September from what I saw on YouTube. I'll take that into account when I sample the White Sugarloaf as the Brix will likely be several points below its peak when picked in warmer weather.
Simon
(https://s11.postimg.cc/5s9j2wdjj/IMG_1860.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5s9j2wdjj/)
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If they're grown in the southern hemisphere, maybe it is peak season over there. They could just be harvested under ripe.
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Because the White Sugarloaf is low acid, I believe it will still taste good. I'll post pictures and tasting results once the pineapples arrive. There is a backorder and it could be 2-3 weeks before they ship the fruit.
Simon
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If they're grown in the southern hemisphere, maybe it is peak season over there. They could just be harvested under ripe.
They are.
If I remember correctly my twistees (which were harvested gold) came in a 18*.
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The White Sugarloaf I ordered is grown on Kaua'i so I'm crossing my fingers.
Here is a brief article talking about how the Meli Kalima was created. http://fluxhawaii.com/frankie-and-the-fruit-factory/ (http://fluxhawaii.com/frankie-and-the-fruit-factory/)
It appears it is a cross between a Hilo White and a dry sweet.
Simon
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Just bought (and twisted off the top) THE richest, sweetest smelling pineapple I've ever gotten from a store. Much better than Hawaiian. From Veracruz, Mexico, it's the Chula brand. Have a office headquarter in California and McAllen, TX. Gold fruit, top to bottom. Will check the brix.
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As an aside, there's prep work. Easiest and most efficient start for me is using a corer. If the pineapple is really big and long like this one you can attack it from both ends. After coring slicing down the sides with a sharp chef's knife wastes very little meat compared to the fancy smancy ones that do spirals. Those spiral cutting wheels are a certain size, usually 3.5" and one size doesn't fit all.
(https://s23.postimg.cc/exkd7khxj/corer.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/exkd7khxj/)
I learned from watching my mom cut pineapples this way: with regular kitchen knife, the old fashion way, spiral, for minimum waste. It just takes a little longer, so you decide which is more valuable to you, extra minutes spent for extra meat saved... ;D
Like this quick 1 minute Youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNYS0uF5iN0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNYS0uF5iN0)
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I think the sugar loaf pineapples are very sweet. But it's not because of high brix reading but because they have a lot less acidity. So there are other factors to perceived sweetness besides brix readings.
I have repeatedly stated this with everyone who comments on the sweetest mango based on brix. Each individual's taste buds can also have a bearing on perceived sweetness.
Other issue I have one people rating quality based on what a refractometer says...taste of the actual fruit is far more important than a number on a meter... ::) :P
Uhmm i dont think so..
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Like this quick 1 minute Youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNYS0uF5iN0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNYS0uF5iN0)
Seems like quite a bit of waste. Why did he cut out the V sections and what would you do with those oddball size little chunks other than add to a fruit salad? Love the cool music though!
The spiral cutter I was referring to is like this one. https://www.amazon.com/Cuisine-Ninja-Pineapple-Slicer-Kitchen/dp/B01F65CBXW/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1491998644&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=pineapple+corer&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/Cuisine-Ninja-Pineapple-Slicer-Kitchen/dp/B01F65CBXW/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1491998644&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=pineapple+corer&psc=1)
What's limiting is the fixed wheel diameter, that was my point. With a big pineapple you lose some meat left next to the peel. With a small pineapple you risk cutting into the tough peel. I core and with a chef's knife cut down the sides. Takes about a minute. Then I can cut thick slices to grill or rings.
Mark
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I think the sugar loaf pineapples are very sweet. But it's not because of high brix reading but because they have a lot less acidity. So there are other factors to perceived sweetness besides brix readings.
I have repeatedly stated this with everyone who comments on the sweetest mango based on brix. Each individual's taste buds can also have a bearing on perceived sweetness.
Other issue I have one people rating quality based on what a refractometer says...taste of the actual fruit is far more important than a number on a meter... ::) :P
Uhmm i dont think so..
Ummmm, well I do.....
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More "food for thought" don't let the pineapple core and peel go to waste, boil them and they make a GREAT tea, then bury the waste in a hole in your garden.
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More "food for thought" don't let the pineapple core and peel go to waste, boil them and they make a GREAT tea, then bury the waste in a hole in your garden.
Works only if it's fresh enough. Supermarket fruits have mold on the bottom. Maybe it depends on where you live. Most pineapples here are sold green with just a little bit of yellow edges, so I get the more yellow but moldy ones if I really wanted to buy.
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Just bought (and twisted off the top) THE richest, sweetest smelling pineapple I've ever gotten from a store. Much better than Hawaiian. From Veracruz, Mexico, it's the Chula brand. Have a office headquarter in California and McAllen, TX. Gold fruit, top to bottom. Will check the brix.
Mark, did you get a Brix reading? I've seen those Chula Pineapples here.
Simon
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Just bought (and twisted off the top) THE richest, sweetest smelling pineapple I've ever gotten from a store. Much better than Hawaiian. From Veracruz, Mexico, it's the Chula brand. Have a office headquarter in California and McAllen, TX. Gold fruit, top to bottom. Will check the brix.
Mark, did you get a Brix reading? I've seen those Chula Pineapples here.
Simon
Not yet. Will cut it today and report back. Will take some pix too.
Whether it's a cantaloupe, tomato, or mango I use my sense of smell to determine ripeness. You can smell this thing walking by the counter where it sits!
Fyliu, IMO you need to find another grocer. I've never had mold on any pineapple and we buy a lot.
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Wow, are looks deceiving! :o In spite of it being gold and smelling up the kitchen sitting there on the counter, one brix reading came in at 11.75*, another 13*. The (incredible) RGV (Rio Grande Valley) grapefruit I'm eating now has a brix of 11.0* and its probably been stored in a warehouse for 4 months ! Whatever, planted the twistee. That makes 9 pineapple plants, 4 are clones.
(https://s8.postimg.cc/syq0kz4nl/Chula_Pineapple_April.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/syq0kz4nl/)
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At the markets here there is usually 6 or 7 varieties on offer with prices about us$1.50 to $3 and most are low acid. The mareeba golds are sometimes huge and I could only guess at how many pounds.It makes them one of the cheapest fruits.Keitt and brooks mangos are currently us$1.50 to $2 per kg with some huge keitts.They are the cheapest mangoes with sam ru du currently double that price.It is the 7th sytraight month of bulk mango availability.Pineapples by contrast in my neck of the woods are available in bulk every month and taste best at the warmest time of the year.I think Oscar is correct in that brix is not the best measure of apparent sweetness and a comparison of sugar to acid may be more informative.
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Based on Oscars recommendations, I ordered some White Sugarloaf Pineapple plants and also some White Sugarloaf Pineapple fruit from Kuai. The fruit are on backorder so I probably won't receive them for several weeks but I'll definitely post pictures along with a taste description and Brix readings once I get them in.
I received my White Sugarloaf plants today and they look healthy and appear to be tissue cultured.
I've been looking up threads and videos on White Jade and White Sugarloaf for about the last month and I was starting to wonder if they were the same? I've seen some YouTube videos on Kona Sugarloaf plants and they seem to get that reddish tan streak down the middle of the blade like my White Jades but these White Sugarloaf plants I just received have very small serrations on the leaves that I didn't notice on the White Jades. I wonder what the offspring of a White Jade crossed with a White Sugarloaf would taste like?
Here are some pictures of my new arrivals.
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I have problems uploading pictures I'll try again later.
Simon
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Peak season here for white sugarloaf is June-July. Out of that summer time frame they would have to use ethylene to force fruiting.
Simon, when you do your brix test can you also do a comparison pH reading? Would be good to know how much lower the acid content really is on the white sugarloaf?
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Hey Oscar, my pH probe dried up so I need to replace it. If I get it replaced by the time I receive the fruit I'll definitely take a pH reading.
Simon
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I think Oscar is correct in that brix is not the best measure of apparent sweetness and a comparison of sugar to acid may be more informative.
That's the case for me, that fruit I showed had no taste, it was bland with low sugar too. I'm wondering if they picked it super green then colored it up with ethylene? Warehouses dosing their pineapples with ethylene like they do tomatoes?
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I've been looking up threads and videos on White Jade and White Sugarloaf for about the last month and I was starting to wonder if they were the same? I've seen some YouTube videos on Kona Sugarloaf plants and they seem to get that reddish tan streak down the middle of the blade like my White Jades
Makes me feel better about the White Jade as the firm I ordered from, Wellsprings Gardens, sent me banana plants that a Texas banana grower says are not what I ordered, they are an ornamental.
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Here's my crazy White Jade. ::)
(http://i.imgur.com/kRtijIt.jpg?1)
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Here's a picture of the White Sugarloaf plants.
Mark, Wellspring garden is where I ordered these from. I'll make a note to keep these seperate from the actual White Sugarloaf fruit tops when I plant them.
(https://s4.postimg.cc/nstzx2uc9/IMG_1881.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nstzx2uc9/)
(https://s4.postimg.cc/apyddt449/IMG_1882.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/apyddt449/)
Simon
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Many internet sources said that white jade is a thornless white sugarloaf. I think Asaffron thought the same thing but he didn't like thorns so he went with the white jade.
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I have two pineapples labeled "white Jade" and they're lime green with pink coloration up the middle of the inside of leaf.
They look nothing like the one Galka posted which is dark green.
Mine are like this:
https://www.agristarts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/479/typeID/99/index.htm (https://www.agristarts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/479/typeID/99/index.htm)
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It's because it was in a shade. I have last year pictures with red color on it's leaves.
That's what I could find for now...with a fruit.
(http://i.imgur.com/XLyYtSh.jpg?1)
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Either way, I've got them in my yard now. If White Jade is a thornless Sugarloaf, it still might be worth crossing them and selecting a thornless variety that tastes good. I got pricked from the HD plant which is pretty much thornless but it still hurts. I can see why the thornless White Jade is sold by Adam.
Simon
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The Vons by my house got in a new shipment of their cocktail pineapples. The brand is Zululand and it is grown in South Africa. The smell of this fruit is amazing, as with most pineapples and I've noticed that these fruit are almost always sold completely Yellow as you see in the picture below. The leaf blades are serrated and relatively sharp for their size, I can imagine how sharp the spines from the parent plant can be. This feature may be a good deterrent for animals.
The issue with this fruit is its extremely small. After removing the peel, I was left with flesh about the size of an orange. The core is completely edible and I ate the entire thing. This fruit had a Brix reading of 16% in one sample and just a little over 17% in the other sample. This fruit has more acidity than the Tropical Gold Pineapple that I sampled above and it was good eating quality. Somebody that likes a little more Tart but also great sweetness may like this fruit. I'm going to plant this top just for fun. This fruit had a great slightly crunchy texture to it which I really enjoyed.
Simon
(https://s10.postimg.cc/gum3lgf3p/IMG_1890.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gum3lgf3p/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/sl012u7w5/IMG_1891.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sl012u7w5/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/blr2nkwol/IMG_1892.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/blr2nkwol/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/e4cro9iet/IMG_1894.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/e4cro9iet/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/4xuh0zd6d/IMG_1895.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4xuh0zd6d/)
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I have two pineapples labeled "white Jade" and they're lime green with pink coloration up the middle of the inside of leaf.
They look nothing like the one Galka posted which is dark green.
Mine are like this:
https://www.agristarts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/479/typeID/99/index.htm (https://www.agristarts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/479/typeID/99/index.htm)
Nice fruits Simon. My leaves have rose coloring in the green. Funny comment in your link --> 'White Jade' will produce a tasty reward far better than anything found in the grocery store for those who plant them. Hell, ANY homegrown pineapple will be much better than store bought. I rate my homegrown much better than even the fresh ones at Hawaiian fruit stands.
Wellsprings Gardens
(https://s24.postimg.cc/jbam5gun5/Well_Spring_plants_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jbam5gun5/)
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Hi out of all the pineapple's i have tasted so far Kaua'i White Sugarloaf pineapple is the sweetest so far out of all them i have tried
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The sweetest pineapple I e tasted to date is the White Sugarloaf grown in Kauai. The highest Brix reading I got from the fruit was just over 19% and the fruit is an early season fruit so the Brix will probably get higher. See this thread for more info.
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=23668.msg282308;topicseen#msg282308 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=23668.msg282308;topicseen#msg282308)
Simon
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Mexican brand pineapple call "piña miel" is very sweet and has a very attractive bright 🔆 yellow flesh, here is available in Walmart maybe over there they also carry this one..
I've just realized that I bought the 'Pina Miel' today at the local Flea market. Didn't pay attention to the tag until now, after reading your post, Raul.
(http://i.imgur.com/OZgYYef.jpg?1)
I bought some more of this Mexican pineapples. The taste is really good, pleasant sweet with a hint of sour. I like the Pina Miel a lot now.
(http://i.imgur.com/0HJQhnm.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/sB4DyYp.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/8kkMzPg.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/B1QvUZt.jpg?1)
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Looks like it's got quite a few seeds. Would you say it's sweeter than the regular Gold supermarket varieties or are these a bit sweeter? I wish we could get a Brix reading on all the different varieties.
Simon
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Looks like it's got quite a few seeds. Would you say it's sweeter than the regular Gold supermarket varieties or are these a bit sweeter? I wish we could get a Brix reading on all the different varieties.
Simon
Simon, it's sweeter than the regular supermarket Gold and less acid. How do you read the Brix? I have never done it before.
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It has seeds cause it was grown in a place that has lots of humming birds
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Looks like it's got quite a few seeds. Would you say it's sweeter than the regular Gold supermarket varieties or are these a bit sweeter? I wish we could get a Brix reading on all the different varieties.
Simon
Simon, it's sweeter than the regular supermarket Gold and less acid. How do you read the Brix? I have never done it before.
You need a refractometer which you can get on Amazon for about $30. You put about two drops of juice on the slide and look through the eyepiece to obtain your reading. It's very easy to use.
Simon
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I picked up this Del Monte Gold Pineapple from Target yesterday. They were just unloading it and I noticed the eyes were consistently yellow all the way up the fruit so I purchased it even though it was mostly green. This fruit was 4lbs 12oz and I didn't let it counter ripen, by this, I mean I didn't let it sit on the counter until it turned mostly yellow and smelled super fragrant like I would normally do. I did wait one day to cut into it s I was lazy yesterday.
This fruit was had a slightly sweet smell before I cut into it. The fruit was ripe and tasted really nice with a Brix of 16% at the bottom of the fruit. I didn't bother to take a reading from the top but the sugar content was definitely lower at the top of the fruit. This fruit had a nice balance of sweet and subacid.
The White Sugarloaf is still the sweetest pineapple I have tested so far.
(https://s24.postimg.cc/jay44toox/IMG_2292.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jay44toox/)
(https://s24.postimg.cc/9ex156iwx/IMG_2293.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9ex156iwx/)
(https://s24.postimg.cc/4uauq8z7l/IMG_2295.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4uauq8z7l/)
Simon
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I picked up this Del Monte Gold Pineapple from Target yesterday. They were just unloading it and I noticed the eyes were consistently yellow all the way up the fruit so I purchased it even though it was mostly green. This fruit was 4lbs 12oz and I didn't let it counter ripen, by this, I mean I didn't let it sit on the counter until it turned mostly yellow and smelled super fragrant like I would normally do. I did wait one day to cut into it s I was lazy yesterday.
This fruit was had a slightly sweet smell before I cut into it. The fruit was ripe and tasted really nice with a Brix of 16% at the bottom of the fruit. I didn't bother to take a reading from the top but the sugar content was definitely lower at the top of the fruit. This fruit had a nice balance of sweet and subacid.
The White Sugarloaf is still the sweetest pineapple I have tested so far.
(https://s24.postimg.cc/jay44toox/IMG_2292.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jay44toox/)
(https://s24.postimg.cc/9ex156iwx/IMG_2293.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/9ex156iwx/)
(https://s24.postimg.cc/4uauq8z7l/IMG_2295.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4uauq8z7l/)
Simon
Thanks For sharing... Before i started to grow my own pineapple Del Monte Gold Pineapples were one of my fav. Pineapples to buy at the store
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Hey Jimmy,
I saved the top for planting. I'm looking for Josapine because it's reported to get between 17-22% Brix. I think it may be a good variety for me to cross with White Jade or White Sugarloaf but if I can't find it, I'll probably cross the White with Queen.
Simon
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Hey Jimmy,
I saved the top for planting. I'm looking for Josapine because it's reported to get between 17-22% Brix. I think it may be a good variety for me to cross with White Jade or White Sugarloaf but if I can't find it, I'll probably cross the White with Queen.
Simon
I'm still growing a few myself of the del monte some of them should be ready to pick in a month or so
Hopefully that book on pineapples will be of some help has alot of great info
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Just planted a DelMonte Kona Gold "twistee". For a store bought pineapple the taste was excellent, especially the thick slices grilled with black marks and served with grilled pork chops and Pickapeppa sauce. ;)
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These Del Monte Gold types taste lower acid to me compared to some other types. The Tropical Golds are also very good eating. If you guys/gals haven't tried a Cocktail pineapple(Queen) I would highly recommend it as the texture is very different, very crunchy but not fibrous and it has high acidity but also high sugar. My favorite which happens to also have the highest Brix is the White Sugarloaf so far. My friends girlfriend said the White pineapple was too sweet for her.
Simon
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if people would like to try queen pineapples and can't find it in stores around where they live you can always
order it online from the website I'm posting below
http://www.melissas.com/South-African-Baby-Pineapples-p/1.htm (http://www.melissas.com/South-African-Baby-Pineapples-p/1.htm)
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Are the seeds fertile? Would be interested in trying them.
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Most of the better pineapples are seedless with just an occasional seed. At least the ones I have tried( not a lot).
Simon
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Piña Miel is really good variety too. It doesn't burn your mouth and is sweet with less acidity. Saved couple of tops, hope they will make it.
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I ate a prematurely ripe small sized fruit from my pineapple patch this morning which was from a store bought top. It was DELICIOUS, but the flavor was most intense on one end. I didn't cut it so I don't know... Which end is likely to be sweetest? The top or Bottom of the fruit?
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The bottoms of the pineapples are definitely sweeter according to the Brix readings I've taken. Was your pineapple leaning over?
Simon
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Here is another pineapple I picked up today from Lucky Seafood. It is a Maui Gold Pineapple, grown in Maui. It weighs 2lbs 8 oz. I'll cut it open later tonight or tomorrow. I almost purchased this same fruit online several weeks ago from here https://pineapplemaui.com/pineappleshop.html
Online, it is much more expensive, about $30 per pineapple, I paid $1.79 for mine but I'm sure the online fruit is larger and perhaps higher grade. I'll give a taste and Brix report when I cut open the fruit.
This fruit has a unique convex bump on the segments that stick out more than other pineapple varieties I have seen. It kind of reminds me of El Bumpo Cherimoyas.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/3pfk43luf/IMG_2368.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pfk43luf/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/ve27bm8uv/IMG_2369.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ve27bm8uv/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/czro7mwk7/IMG_2370.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/czro7mwk7/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/7cvba5u1j/IMG_2371.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7cvba5u1j/)
Simon
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Here is another pineapple I picked up today from Lucky Seafood. It is a Maui Gold Pineapple, grown in Maui. It weighs 2lbs 8 oz. I'll cut it open later tonight or tomorrow. I almost purchased this same fruit online several weeks ago from here https://pineapplemaui.com/pineappleshop.html
Online, it is much more expensive, about $30 per pineapple, I paid $1.79 for mine but I'm sure the online fruit is larger and perhaps higher grade. I'll give a taste and Brix report when I cut open the fruit.
This fruit has a unique convex bump on the segments that stick out more than other pineapple varieties I have seen. It kind of reminds me of El Bumpo Cherimoyas.
(https://s7.postimg.cc/3pfk43luf/IMG_2368.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3pfk43luf/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/ve27bm8uv/IMG_2369.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ve27bm8uv/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/czro7mwk7/IMG_2370.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/czro7mwk7/)
(https://s7.postimg.cc/7cvba5u1j/IMG_2371.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7cvba5u1j/)
Simon
i ordered the 6 pack of Maui Gold Pineapple from there website they were alot bigger than the ones you show in your photos this was little over a year ago i potted them and within a years time they already fruited so plant didn't get a chance to grow full size cause winter time forced them to flower to soon so maybe next time around they will get to grow bigger the plants that is lol the fruit should be ready to pick in a few months
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Jimmy, do you remember how they tasted? Did they taste a bit like a yellow fleshed white Sugarloaf? The fruit looks like a tortoise shell now that I think about it.
Simon
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they had a good taste to them kinda sweet/tart kinda tatse but not as good as the White Sugarloaf.
When i got them they were alot greener than the ones you show in your photos. i wanted to regrow them to try them out again to see if i wanna keep growing them again or not for next time
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I just cut open the Maui Gold and it was very bad. It was not sweet at all. It had a Brix of 13% and was very bland and had almost no pineapple flavor. To top it off the core was very fibrous so I would consider it non edible.
I'm hoping I just got a really bad fruit. I bet the fruit ordered online is much higher quality.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/nrlxk329x/IMG_2384.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nrlxk329x/)
(https://s18.postimg.cc/ctao1wdol/IMG_2385.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ctao1wdol/)
Simon
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I just cut open the Maui Gold and it was very bad. It was not sweet at all. It had a Brix of 13% and was very bland and had almost no pineapple flavor. To top it off the core was very fibrous so I would consider it non edible.
I'm hoping I just got a really bad fruit. I bet the fruit ordered online is much higher quality.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/nrlxk329x/IMG_2384.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nrlxk329x/)
(https://s18.postimg.cc/ctao1wdol/IMG_2385.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ctao1wdol/)
Simon
That sucks you didn't like it not all pineapple will be good once you found one that taste so good its just hard to eat other pineapple anymore trying to compare it to others
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The bottoms of the pineapples are definitely sweeter according to the Brix readings I've taken. Was your pineapple leaning over?
Simon
Yeah a bit, but the fruit was very yellow, and I figured I'd take it in before vermin got to it.
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I bought a pineapple at World's store and it tasted like an apple. It was crunchy too. Have anybody else tasted one before?
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if it were a small type of pineapple kinda like the queen pineapple there sweet and have a crunchy taste to them was the crown on it have spines on it ?
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Nope, no spines but the tops were pulled out in the center, unlike the other brand pineapples they had. The tag saying 'Gold' but it was more white than gold inside. Found some pics.
(http://i.imgur.com/27tghkj.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/Tzqgvvo.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/us8HTAb.jpg?1)
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The Tropical Golds are good pineapples but still a notch below the White Sugarloaf. There are supposed to be sweeter non patented varieties out there like Josapine that are even sweeter but I can find any plants for sale.
Simon
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Frankie's is really sugary sweet low acid..
(https://s13.postimg.cc/3usc0zhaf/IMG_1392.jpg)
(https://s4.postimg.cc/udpmce07h/IMG_1396.jpg)
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Ben, thanks for the pictures. Where did you get the Meli Kalima? I have tried to order but they don't ship them anymore.
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Hi Galka, here on Oahu, I did not have it shipped
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Hi Galka, here on Oahu, I did not have it shipped
I see, lucky you. ;) I wish I could visit Oahu and get some of those best tasting pineapples. Maybe one day. ::)
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Hi Galka, here on Oahu, I did not have it shipped
I see, lucky you. ;) I wish I could visit Oahu and get some of those best tasting pineapples. Maybe one day. ::)
I've been to quite a few of the islands and never tasted a pineapple as good as my home grown. Even the road side food trucks seem to sell them a bit on the green side.
Having said that a couple of Sugarloaf plantlets will be here soon.
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Mark, have you tasted the Meli Kalima? My home grown are very good too.
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Mark, have you tasted the Meli Kalima? My home grown are very good too.
No sir. Have a link to a site that sells plantlets?
Thanks
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Mark, have you tasted the Meli Kalima? My home grown are very good too.
No sir. Have a link to a site that sells plantlets?
Thanks
Would be nice to get some to grow but they don't allow it cause its Patented when you buy the pineapple it come's with out the crown...
people use to be able to order the pineapple and have it shipped to them but they stop doing that sometime back
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Best way to get Meli Kalima aside from flying to Hawaii is to ask a friend there to mail it to you. It will need to be overnight.
Simon
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Best way to get Meli Kalima aside from flying to Hawaii is to ask a friend there to mail it to you. It will need to be overnight.
Simon
Simon, I wish I had a friend there. The only way for me is to ask somebody (a friend) who is going to visit Hawaii and can bring it for me.
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Don't get me wrong i would love to try out the Meli Kalima one day. But if I'm not able to grow it myself its not worth the hassle to find someone to buy some than have to get it checked out by the USDA at the airport than if it does get passed to be able to ship I'm sure sending it over night would cost alot just to be able to try it out but not able to grow it
I guess that could be why the guy stopped selling them online to much of a hassle to deal with
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I just cut open the Maui Gold and it was very bad. It was not sweet at all. It had a Brix of 13% and was very bland and had almost no pineapple flavor. To top it off the core was very fibrous so I would consider it non edible.
I'm hoping I just got a really bad fruit. I bet the fruit ordered online is much higher quality.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/nrlxk329x/IMG_2384.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nrlxk329x/)
(https://s18.postimg.cc/ctao1wdol/IMG_2385.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ctao1wdol/)
Simon
Yeah, you got a bad fruit.
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Reminds me of the hype surrounding the Coor's beer craze back in the 70's which was only available in Colorado. Texas is a BIG state but that didn't stop some from driving to Colorado to get cases of it to bring back. Now that it's available is just one of those "meh" thingies.
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I just cut open the Maui Gold and it was very bad. It was not sweet at all. It had a Brix of 13% and was very bland and had almost no pineapple flavor. To top it off the core was very fibrous so I would consider it non edible.
I'm hoping I just got a really bad fruit. I bet the fruit ordered online is much higher quality.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/nrlxk329x/IMG_2384.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nrlxk329x/)
(https://s18.postimg.cc/ctao1wdol/IMG_2385.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ctao1wdol/)
Simon
Yeah, you got a bad fruit.
Thanks for the input Oscar, I trust your knowledge. Now I'm curious how good a good Maui Gold can get? I'm very tempted to buy the $30 pineapple to find out but I can't stop thinking about the White Sugarloafs from Jude.
Evildeadguy, I completely agree with your statement. Although I would love to try the Meli Kalima, it would not be worth the effort for me because even if it turned out to be the the best tasting pineapple, I would knot be able to grow it.
Mark, I can't wait till you get your White Sugarloaf, did you order fruit or just the plants?
I recently re read one of the White Jade threads and someone, I believe it was Adam, mentioned that the White Jade is like the Sugarloaf but better! I should find out by next year.
Simon
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Simon, I tasted the Maui Gold last night. The taste was excellent, a little crunchy, good balance of sweet and sour, different.
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Brix readings for different types of fruits
(https://s6.postimg.cc/vfq28kb2l/Brix-_Chart-e1470342971368.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vfq28kb2l/)
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I just cut open the Maui Gold and it was very bad. It was not sweet at all. It had a Brix of 13% and was very bland and had almost no pineapple flavor. To top it off the core was very fibrous so I would consider it non edible.
I'm hoping I just got a really bad fruit. I bet the fruit ordered online is much higher quality.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/nrlxk329x/IMG_2384.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/nrlxk329x/)
(https://s18.postimg.cc/ctao1wdol/IMG_2385.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/ctao1wdol/)
Simon
Yeah, you got a bad fruit.
Thanks for the input Oscar, I trust your knowledge. Now I'm curious how good a good Maui Gold can get? I'm very tempted to buy the $30 pineapple to find out but I can't stop thinking about the White Sugarloafs from Jude.
Evildeadguy, I completely agree with your statement. Although I would love to try the Meli Kalima, it would not be worth the effort for me because even if it turned out to be the the best tasting pineapple, I would knot be able to grow it.
Mark, I can't wait till you get your White Sugarloaf, did you order fruit or just the plants?
I recently re read one of the White Jade threads and someone, I believe it was Adam, mentioned that the White Jade is like the Sugarloaf but better! I should find out by next year.
Simon
Maui Gold is good, but not excellent like white Sugarloaf.
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Bought plantlets from Wellsprings Garden. This variety addiction is getting as bad as my avocado addiction. Time to back off!
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the thing with meli kalima is its good but its not worth it to most people. frank supplies some of the local grocery stores and the price in the store is maybe 6.99/lb, (he sell his for $5/lb at his farm) In the stores they just sit and go bad. i see this happens with jackfruit for him too, he sells for around $2.50/lb then most people are not wanting to buy a $50 jackfruit
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sorry to hijack this thread but can anyone tell me what is going on with my pineapple plant? i dont want to lose my pineapple plant.i have 4 plants and this is my second attempt at growing them.The previous plant got destroyed by ants and mealybug
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=24417.msg287958#msg287958 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=24417.msg287958#msg287958)
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I just picked up this Del Monte Gold Pineapple and it was incredibly sweet and flavorful with a Brix of 18% on the bottom. I can't imagine what the Brix would be if it were picked fully yellow. This fruit was relatively low acid and is one of the best tasting store bought Pineapples I've ever tasted. I'm going to pick up several more of these.
(https://s10.postimg.cc/otkwj2gz9/IMG_2533.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/otkwj2gz9/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/rc6ljr2ph/IMG_2534.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rc6ljr2ph/)
Simon
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Hi, Simon,
Is that from costco?
-FruitFool
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I just picked up this Del Monte Gold Pineapple and it was incredibly sweet and flavorful with a Brix of 18% on the bottom. I can't imagine what the Brix would be if it were picked fully yellow. This fruit was relatively low acid and is one of the best tasting store bought Pineapples I've ever tasted. I'm going to pick up several more of these.
(https://s10.postimg.cc/otkwj2gz9/IMG_2533.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/otkwj2gz9/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/rc6ljr2ph/IMG_2534.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/rc6ljr2ph/)
Simon
Out of all the store bought pineapples Del Monte Gold Pineapple is my Favorite and its the first type of
Pineapple i ever Grew before getting into all the newer pineapple Varieties and its real easy to grow
i still have a few plants that have fruit on them just waiting on them to turn ripe the slips growing under
the pineapple are so huge you cant even see the pineapple but its there lol
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Hi, Simon,
Is that from costco?
-FruitFool
Nope, this particular fruit is from HMart in Mira Mesa. I did visit Costco in Carmel Mountain and they also have Del Monte Gold mixed in with another variety. The eyes were slightly more yellow and the yellow was higher up the fruit at HMart.
Jimmy, these fruit are excellent. I ate the entire core because it was so sweet but there is quite a lot of fiber in there. If I can't find Josapine, I'll probably use these to cross with White Jade or White Sugarloaf.
Simon
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Hi, Simon,
Is that from costco?
-FruitFool
Nope, this particular fruit is from HMart in Mira Mesa. I did visit Costco in Carmel Mountain and they also have Del Monte Gold mixed in with another variety. The eyes were slightly more yellow and the yellow was higher up the fruit at HMart.
Jimmy, these fruit are excellent. I ate the entire core because it was so sweet but there is quite a lot of fiber in there. If I can't find Josapine, I'll probably use these to cross with White Jade or White Sugarloaf.
Simon
Yeah that would be your best bet to just use what you have at the time or are able to get cause its going to take years of cross breeding before you will get the pineapple your looking to Create turns out good
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Finally got to taste Frankies "Meli Kalima" pineapple. It's as good as everyone says. Very sweet near the core and then at the skin tastes like a regular pine apple. It would be nice to be able to grow these. This one was a bit too ripe at one spot, but the rest was very good.
(https://i.postimg.cc/LqRsv1gQ/pine.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LqRsv1gQ)
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I have to agree with others. My homegrown sugarloaf, picked at the right time was almost too sweet, like pineapple candy.
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I attempted to check the brix on Del Monte Honeyglow that I cut yesterday. I don't know what pieces are top or bottom and they've been in the fridge since yesterday, so I don't know if that makes a difference. I also used a hydrometer for aquariums, so I don't think I have the right scale. Can anyone interpret this picture? It's very very good pineapple in my opinion.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nX5ZX3J3/20221206-000305.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nX5ZX3J3)
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Going back to the beginning of the post, … sweetest pineapple from my collection would be Cheesepine. Great balance of sweet/low acidity. In sebastian florida, the hawaiian whites are slower to fruit and produce a lot of slips. They tend to ‘stack’ … grow very tall w/out pushing fruit. I’m waiting for the Antigua Black to fruit. I’ll try to remember to post a brix read on it when it does. Also, the coconut tasting pineapple here in US was an unintentional cross … those fruit are available roadside here every summer. Some have a hint of vanilla/some definite coconut. Posting the video. Very sweet MD2 hybrid. I have been planting the crowns of the strong coconut fruits for a few years now. One of the best tasting pineapple - and easy to grow.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4J_kix8Lsms
(https://i.postimg.cc/jLtLw4jT/20-B2-D922-5-F77-4593-B0-BD-A39897-B6-AACF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jLtLw4jT)
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And I thought I remembered this from a way back: 28 Brix. That’s incredible.
https://jademoonphotography.com/blogs/news/93079105-frankie-and-his-pineapple
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And I thought I remembered this from a way back: 28 Brix. That’s incredible.
https://jademoonphotography.com/blogs/news/93079105-frankie-and-his-pineapple
Loved your video, Mark. Do you think there's any way you could get this particular Hawaiian variety to Florida?
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Not unless you could get one of his employees to steal and ship out a slip for you. He sells them
Without the tops and he has a patent on this variety.
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Not unless you could get one of his employees to steal and ship out a slip for you. He sells them
Without the tops and he has a patent on this variety.
Oh man! :( He said Dole wasn't interested. Maybe he'd let Mark and his Nature Farms grow it.
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I wonder when his patent runs out … if he’d start selling plants off island. Lol. Fairly confident that would be a ‘Nope.’
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I wonder when his patent runs out … if he’d start selling plants off island. Lol. Fairly confident that would be a ‘Nope.’
Anyway, you should contact him. You never know! You could be the exclusive Florida grower.
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Has anyone looked into how often you get for close to the parent when growing from seed?