Their pulp tastes wonderfully sour and refreshing. It makes sense to assume that pineapple is a citrus fruit. You can find out what the actual botanical classification is here.
Is pineapple a citrus fruit?
Pineapple is not a citrus fruit because it belongs to the bromeliad family, while citrus fruits are part of the rue family. Further differences include growth, fruit type, reproduction and flowering behavior of the plants.
Five reasons why pineapple is not a citrus fruit
No botanical expertise is required to recognize the serious differences between a pineapple and a citrus fruit. Take a look at the profile of a pineapple, where the first clues reveal themselves. Below we have put together five significant arguments that support a differentiation between pineapple and citrus fruits:
- Pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family – citrus fruits are a member of the rue family
- Pineapples are rooted in the ground – citrus fruits thrive on the branches of trees or bushes
- Pineapple is a fruit association – citrus fruits thrive as individual berries with a wax-covered skin
- Pineapple flowers are self-sterile - citrus flowers only fruit after pollination
- A pineapple plant only blooms once – citrus plants bloom every year again
It is not least the unique property of rooting in the leaf axils that clearly distinguishes pineapples from citrus plants. Clever hobby gardeners take advantage of this fact by quickly growing a new pineapple plant from the cut leaf crown.
Five similarities that connect pineapple and citrus fruits
In view of the following analogies, the frequent equation of pineapple and citrus fruits is hardly surprising:
- they come from the tropical regions
- as non-climacteric fruits they do not ripen
- they are rich in vitamin C and other minerals
- Growth from flowering to harvest takes an average of 6 months
- they have a short storage time of a few days
With regard to cultivation, both pineapple plants and most citrus plants are extremely popular as decorative potted plants for large living rooms and winter gardens. They place similar demands on their location, as well as on an adequate water and nutrient balance. Temperatures below 16 degrees Celsius cause problems for them, as does hard water or low humidity.
Tips & Tricks
In culinary terms, pineapple and citrus fruits offer a consistent culinary experience. They are excellent for cooking and eating as a delicious compote, refreshing cake topping, invigorating juice or sweet spread.
