Ananas Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ
Add to dictionary

ananas

[ษ™หˆnรฆnษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

food, fruit

Ananas, commonly known as pineapple, is a tropical fruit with a unique sweet and tangy flavor. It has a spiky exterior and a juicy, yellow interior. Pineapples are rich in vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants, making them a popular choice for consumption both fresh and in various culinary dishes. They can be eaten raw, juiced, or grilled, and are often used in desserts, salads, and beverages.

Synonyms

anana, pine, pineapple.

Examples of usage

  • I love adding fresh ananas to my fruit salad.
  • The ananas smoothie was refreshing on a hot day.
  • Grilled ananas makes an excellent dessert.
  • You can find ananas in tropical regions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Uses

  • Ananas is used in a variety of dishes, from savory salads to sweet desserts, and is a popular choice for tropical smoothies.
  • The enzyme bromelain found in pineapple helps tenderize meat, making it a common ingredient in marin marinades.
  • Fresh ananas is a key ingredient in many cultures' cuisines, including Hawaiian pizza, Thai curry, and tropical fruit salads.

Cultural Significance

  • In Caribbean cultures, ananas is often used in festive decorations and traditional dishes, celebrating its sweet and vibrant nature.
  • The pineapple has become a symbol of hospitality, often used in home dรฉcor, especially in the southern United States.
  • Ananas is associated with exotic locations and is a popular motif in art and design, representing warmth and tropical beauty.

Health Benefits

  • This fruit is rich in vitamin C, making it great for boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
  • Eating fresh ananas can aid digestion due to its content of bromelain, enticing those dealing with digestive issues.
  • Ananas is low in calories yet high in nutrition, making it a delicious and healthy snack option.

Botanical Facts

  • Ananas grows close to the ground on a hardy plant; it is not a tree but rather a rosette of long, pointed leaves.
  • The plant produces a single fruit per plant, which takes about 18-24 months to mature.
  • After the fruit is harvested, the plant can produce smaller โ€˜suckersโ€™ that can grow into new plants, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Origin of 'ananas'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'ananas' comes from the Tupi-Guarani language, where it means 'excellent fruit.'
  • In many languages, such as French and Spanish, the word for pineapple is very similar, highlighting its universal recognition.
  • The term 'pineapple' originated in England in the 17th century, referring to the fruit's resemblance to pine cones.

The word 'ananas' comes from the Tupi-Guarani language, spoken by indigenous people of South America. The term 'nanas' means 'excellent fruit', reflecting the high regard in which they held this tropical delicacy. The Portuguese explorer Vicente Yรกรฑez Pinzรณn is credited with introducing the word to the European lexicon in the early 16th century. Through trade and colonization, the term spread to various languages including English, where it is known as 'pineapple'. The fruit itself has a rich history, including cultivation by the indigenous peoples of Paraguay, Brazil, and beyond. It was later brought to Europe and the rest of the world, becoming a symbol of hospitality and luxury.