Eat Local Spotlight: Pineapple

There’s a new pineapple in Hawaii, and it’s creating quite a stir in our stores! Called the Meli Kalima or “Honey Cream,” this patented fruit was developed by Frank Sekiya, owner of Frankie’s Nursery in Waimanalo.  Meli refers to the fruit’s rich sweetness, while kalima describes the light yellow flesh color and creamy texture.  Round in shape with an average size of 3 pounds, this unique fruit with crisp texture is truly something to taste and behold.

Here’s more you might like to know about these delicious, sweet, creamy summer treats:

Cream of the Crop: The Honey Cream is a cross between the “Dry Sweet” and “Hilo White” pineapple varieties. Frankie planted all the seeds from the original hybrid plant and came up with about 50 selections he thought were good.  As it turns out, lucky number 13 produced the sweetest and best fruit, and Frankie’s Nursery began growing and marketing it as the Meli Kalima.

Where’s the Top?: Frankie’s Nursery sells the Honey Cream with the crown removed in an effort to protect its patent.  Since pineapples can be regrown from their spiky, leafy tops, removing these crowns is one important way to prevent unauthorized propagation.

Don’t Let the Color Fool You: Frankie’s only picks its pineapples at the peak of perfection. So while the outer skin of the Honey Cream may still be green, rest assured that the pale, creamy fruit underneath is as sweet as can be. Honey Creams are not only sweet throughout the year, but they are lower in acid and less fibrous than other pineapples.







All About The Brix: Farmers and wine makers measure sweetness in a measure called Brix.  The higher the Brix, the sweeter the food. The average pineapple comes in around 14 on the Brix scale; apples, bananas, peaches and strawberries average a score of 10; honey has a Brix count of 32, and a score of 20 is considered very good. That Frankie’s Meli Kalima has a Brix score of 28 —  and only drops to 21 for a few months in the winter — is a clear indication of just how sweet it is!



Good For You Too: Considered a sweet treat that’s good to eat, pineapple is also known for its many health benefits. Not only do pineapples have the ability to improve respiratory health, digestion, oral health, eye health, heart health, and the immune system, but they can also help you lose weight, strengthen bones, reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, fight off infections and parasites, and increase circulation. So eat up and feel good about it!