Honey Malang Pineapples
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Honey Malang pineapples are smaller in size than common pineapples and have a round to slightly cylindrical shape with tall, dark green leaves. The leaves are thick and sharp with serrated edges and grow in a tuft, also known as a crown. The tough rind is golden yellow to light brown and is firm, dense, and rough with many small eyes centered in hexagonal ridges scattered across the surface. Underneath the rind, the bright yellow flesh is juicy, smooth, and crunchy. Honey Malang pineapples are aromatic with a sweet flavor and mild acidity.
Seasons/Availability
Honey Malang pineapples are available year-round in Southeast Asia.
Current Facts
Honey Malang pineapples, botanically classified as Ananas comosus, are the fruits of an herbaceous, perennial plant that has long, waxy, and pointed green leaves and is a member of the Bromeliaceae family. Also known as Nanas Madu in Southeast Asia, Honey Malang pineapples are a small, compact variety that is highly favored for its juicy flesh and sweet flavor. Honey Malang pineapples get their name from Malang, which is the second largest city in East Java, Indonesia where the pineapples are commonly grown, and the fruits are predominately consumed fresh, out-of-hand.
Nutritional Value
Honey Malang pineapples contain vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Applications
Honey Malang pineapples are best suited for raw applications as their juicy, crunchy flesh, and sweet flavor is showcased when used fresh, out-of-hand. The fruits are commonly consumed as a snack, sliced and layered over desserts, sliced and mixed into fruit salads, or occasionally stirred into a curry. Honey Malang pineapples can also be juiced as a fresh, sweet drink, or juiced and blended with liquors to make tropical cocktails. The sweet flavor pairs well with grapefruit, apples, pears, bananas, coconut, mangoes, peaches, and oranges. Whole fruits will keep 3-5 days when stored in the refrigerator while sliced pieces of the flesh will keep up to one week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Honey Malang pineapples can also be frozen for up to one year.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Indonesia, Honey Malang pineapples are highly valued and are sold along roadsides at small fruit stands where the fruits are hung on ropes and are displayed in large quantities to attract consumers. When purchased, the crown of the fruit is sliced off leaving a bare, thick stem and the rind and tough eyes are removed by slicing in a diagonal pattern. Pineapples are an important economic export item in Indonesia, and the fruits are also heavily favored by tourists. To increase consumption, there are many different pineapple festivals held throughout Indonesia to celebrate the sweet fruit and showcase the different varieties. These festivals also include pineapple eating contests, live music and entertainment, and fruit sampling.
Geography/History
Pineapples are native to South America, specifically the tropical climates of Paraguay and Brazil, and were spread to the rest of South and Central America via plant cultivation of migrating peoples. The fruits were also introduced to Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and Europe via explorers and trade routes. While the exact origins of the Honey Malang pineapple are unknown, today the fruit is found at fresh markets and is primarily localized to Indonesia and other select regions throughout Southeast Asia.
