These spiky-skinned tropical fruit are a wonderful sweet treat – the perfect way to take your tastebuds on holiday. Cylindrical in shape, pineapples have tough, spiky skin and a cluster of spiny green leaves. Their flesh is sweet, tangy and very juicy. Available all year round, pineapple is delicious enjoyed fresh on its own, or used in sweet and savoury cooking.

To Buy

Look for pineapples with fresh-looking leaves, with no soft spots on their skin. They should feel relatively heavy for their size, and have a slightly sweet smell.

To Store

Store pineapple at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, or place whole pineapple into a plastic bag, leaving leaves exposed, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To Prepare

Slice off the top and base of the pineapple then stand on a chopping board. Slice away the skin in strips then cut the pineapple into quarters, lengthways. Cut a thin triangle from the centre of each quarter to remove the woody core, then slice or chop as required.