Pineapples are sweet, tropical fruits that belong to the family Bromeliaceae and are indigenous to South America. It’s a fruit that has been cultivated for centuries and one that is enjoyed in many different drink and food recipes, including Piña Coladas, Hawaiian Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, Pineapple Ham, and Shrimp and Pineapple Curry.

Pineapples are popular in the Philippines, Brazil, and Thailand, but less so in Europe and the United States. Even so, there is a holiday that celebrates this fruit on an international basis, and that holiday is aptly named International Pineapple Day. This day is observed annually on June 27th.

The History of International Pineapple Day

As we stated earlier, pineapples were originally cultivated in South America but were brought to Europe by the explorer Christopher Columbus during the late 15th century. Word of this tropical fruit quickly spread across Europe and eventually across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands.

It would eventually make its way to North America. During the 18th century, the pineapple would be a status symbol in Europe and the United States due to its rarity and relatively high cost. It would even be used as centerpieces at formal events.

That’s no longer true, as pineapples are now grown in many parts of the world. At the time of this article, Costa Rica was the largest exporter of this fruit, exporting over 170 million 12-kilo boxes a year.

International Pineapple Day isn’t a holiday that has a long storied history. In fact, it’s a relatively new holiday that was started in 2016 by the Dole Food Company. That year, the company launched a large social media campaign to encourage more people in Europe and North America to enjoy these tropical fruits.

And according to our research, it seems that the ultimate goal of this holiday was successful. Pineapple consumption is up in North America and parts of Europe.

Observing International Pineapple Day

International Pineapple Day has to be one of the most delicious holidays that a person could celebrate. Pineapple is a versatile fruit that can be used in smoothies, mixed drinks, salads, dinners, and even in marinades and sauces.

Some of our favorite pineapple recipes include Hawaiian BBQ Chicken, Hawaiian Pineapple and Pepperoni Pizza, Ham and Grilled Pineapple Sandwiches, and Pineapple Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice.

Anyone who enjoys this fruit in a unique or interesting way should use the hashtag #InternationalPineappleDay on social media to let everyone know about it. Pineapple is a tasty, although somewhat acidic, fruit that a lot of people are going to want to try on this day.