I couldn’t believe my eyes when the pink pineapple arrived. As someone who loves pink, I wanted to fall for it instantly. Pink pineapples are real—but I have mixed feelings.
Typically, pineapples are yellow from beta-carotene.
Enter the pink pineapple: an engineered, lycopene-rich version of the classic yellow fruit.
Brief history: research began in 2005 at Del Monte Fresh. By 2011 planting started in Costa Rica, and the fruit was officially launched to the public in 2020. Retail prices have ranged from about $10 to $49 per pineapple, depending on whether the crown (the leafy top used to propagate new plants) is included.
Pink pineapple is a genetically engineered variety developed by Fresh Del Monte.
Fruit and vegetable color comes from natural pigments. For example, anthocyanins give purple cauliflower, purple potatoes, and purple kale their hues. In the pink pineapple, the color comes from lycopene—the same pigment that makes pink lemons and watermelon pink.
Pineapples actually begin development with pink pigment. As the fruit matures, lycopene is normally converted into a yellow-orange pigment (beta-carotene). Scientists created the pink pineapple by slowing or preventing that conversion, so the flesh retains its pink hue.
The pink pineapple is essentially the same pineapple species but with elevated lycopene levels instead of higher beta-carotene. The result is vividly pink flesh rather than the familiar yellow.
It’s a fruit designed to be eye-catching—highly Instagrammable and perfect for those who love millennial pink aesthetics.
Pink pineapples are grown on a single farm in Costa Rica and are patented by Del Monte Fresh. The fruit is marketed exclusively under the brand name Pinkglow® pineapple.
Many thanks to Melissa’s Produce for sending these pretty specimens.
I’m working on a dried pineapple recipe—expect sweet, chewy, candy-like pink pineapple slices soon.
More Pink Produce
If pink pineapple caught your eye, you might enjoy other pink and colorful produce. I’ve always loved purple and pink fruits and vegetables; they make the kitchen more playful.
More pretty pink produce to explore:
- Pink Apples – stunning varieties with pink flesh.
- Pink Lemons – a slightly sweeter, more delicate cousin of the classic yellow lemon.
- Pink Oyster Mushrooms – vivid hot-pink mushrooms that taste great when cooked.
- Pink Asparagus – a rare, delicate asparagus with a lovely hue.
- Pink Garlic – a rosier, slightly sweeter take on traditional garlic.
If you find pink pineapple, don’t expect to see it often at farmers markets. If you do try it, have fun and share what you make—tag me on Instagram @danielagerson; I’d love to see your photos.
There’s a wide world of colorful fruits and vegetables out there. I hope this inspires you to bring more color into your kitchen and experiment with new flavors and presentations.
Let’s make waves in the kitchen.