Why Are Pink Pineapples Pink

You’re at the grocery store, minding your own business, when you spot it. A pineapple, but it’s pink. Not a pale, sorry-looking pink, but a vibrant, almost neon pink. Your first thought? “Did someone drop that in the candy aisle?” Your second thought? “I need to buy this immediately and put it on Instagram.”

The Great Pineapple Makeover

Here’s the thing: a pink pineapple isn’t a mutant or a GMO monster from a lab. It’s actually a natural wonder, tweaked in a very clever way. Scientists at a big fruit company (think “Apple” but for actual apples—and pineapples) figured out how to switch on a hidden talent in the fruit.

Regular pineapples have a pigment called lycopene—the same stuff that makes tomatoes red and watermelons pink. But in a regular pineapple, the lycopene gets converted into beta-carotene, which makes it yellow. By turning off that conversion process, the lycopene just sticks around, turning the flesh a glorious,shocking pink. It’s like telling a tomato, “Hey, you’re a pineapple now, but keep your cool color.”

But Does It Taste Like a Jolly Rancher?

Here’s where it gets really good. You might expect a pink pineapple to taste like bubblegum or a strawberry-flavored lollipop. Nope. It tastes sweeter and less acidic than a regular pineapple. There’s a hint of candy-like flavor—almost like a pineapple with a touch of cotton candy, but still fresh and tropical.

It’s like if a pineapple went on vacation to the Bahamas and came back with a tan and a new attitude. You bite into it, and your brain goes, “Wait, this is pineapple, but why is it so nice?” It’s less of that tongue-tingle you get from a tart yellow one, and more of a smooth, tropical hug.

Difference Between Pink And Yellow Pineapple at Nancy Sheridan blog

Why Do We Even Have Them?

This isn’t some weird science experiment to confuse you at the supermarket. Del Monte, the company behind this, spent over a decade developing it. Their goal? To make pineapples more appealing to people who find regular ones too sour or intimidating. Yes, apparently, some people look at a pineapple and think, “That looks like a lot of work and it might bite back.”

So, they created a pineapple that’s sweeter, less acidic, and hilariously photogenic. It’s the fruit equivalent of putting on a bright pink dress to a party—you’re going to get attention, and you’ll probably make friends. I bought one for a brunch once, and my friend spent ten minutes just taking pictures of it before we even sliced into it. That’s commitment.

The Price Tag (Yikes)

Here’s the kicker: a pink pineapple costs about $30 to $50 per fruit. Yes, you read that right. For that price, you could buy a nice dinner or a whole crate of regular yellow pineapples. It’s a luxury item, like a designer handbag that you eat.

What is pink pineapple aka pink glow pineapple by Del Monte? - What

But here’s the thing: you don’t buy a pink pineapple every week. You buy it for a special occasion—a birthday, a holiday, or a Tuesday when you just need a delightful surprise. It’s the fruit equivalent of buying a raspberry macaron instead of a plain cookie. You’re paying for the experience, not just the calories. And that experience? Totally worth the Instagram likes and the confused look on your partner’s face when you present it.

How to Eat a Pink Pineapple (Without Crying)

First, don’t be intimidated by its fancy color. It cuts just like a regular pineapple—skin off, core out, beautiful pink rings appear. I recommend eating it raw, cold from the fridge, so the sweetness hits you like a gentle wave. It’s also fantastic in fruit salads, where it makes everything else look boring. Imagine a bowl of strawberries, blueberries, and mango—and then add these electric pink chunks. It’s like your fruit bowl went to a rave.

One time, I brought a slice to work, and a coworker asked if it was “dyed.” I had to give him a mini science lecture about lycopene and enzyme suppression. He stared at me, took a bite, and said, “Okay, it’s worth being weird for.” He then asked to buy the rest. That’s the power of the pink pineapple.

Can Pineapple Be Pink

So, Are They Real?

Yes, they’re absolutely real. And yes, they’re grown in a limited number of fields in Costa Rica. You won’t find them at every corner store—they’re a specialty item that pops up at high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods or online. They are not a hoax, they’re not a lab-grown fake, and they’re not going to turn your tongue pink (although, hope against hope, that might be fun).

They’re a genuinely new fruit that makes you stop and think, “What else have plants been hiding from us?” And for that moment of wonder—and the sweet, non-acidic burst of tropical flavor—it’s worth every penny.

Now, go ahead. Treat yourself. Your fruit bowl has been waiting for a makeover.