Here’s Why You Should Soak Pineapple in Salt Water
Updated: May 27, 2022
Salty and sweet were made for each other.
We’ve all got our favorites when it comes to fruits and veggies. I’ve always been a massive fan of pineapple. That’s why summer truly is the perfect season for my palate! Pineapple upside-down cake and pineapple sheet cake are just a few of my go-to recipes, but sometimes I just like to enjoy it as-is. To me, nothing tastes better after a long, hot day than fresh, juicy pineapple.
So color me interested when I heard about soaking pineapple in salt water, a hack that I definitely had to learn.
Why Should You Wash Pineapple in Salt Water?
Pineapple, along with its many health benefits, has an incredibly distinct taste. Some stay away while others (like me) can’t get enough. The physical effects—a tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth and throat—are a big reason people prefer not to eat this golden fruit. They’re caused by bromelain, a protein in pineapple that breaks down other proteins while it’s active. If the flavor isn’t doing it for you, that odd feeling can be hard to overcome.
That’s why soaking or washing pineapple in salt water is such a great hack. Salt will actually activate the bromelain before it even enters your body, so by the time you eat it, the protein will have gone inactive. This is a produce mistake I’m definitely going to fix.
Here’s How to Do It
TikTok user @metemgeeblog has a simple breakdown on how to salt your pineapple.
@metemgeeblog Do you wash your pineapple with salt before eating? #guyanese🇬🇾 #metemgee #pineapple #peelingapineapple #howto ♬ original sound – Metemgee
Start by cutting pineapple as usual. This includes removing the tough skin and all the eyes. Then spiral-cut it around the core to create lots of surface area. Once that’s done, take a good amount of salt and rub it into every nook and cranny of your pineapple. Then give it a good rinse. The salt should have activated the bromelain protein, so you don’t have to worry about the weird mouthfeel anymore. Finish cutting it as usual and enjoy!
You can also take individual pineapple slices and dip them in a solution of 1 teaspoon kosher salt and about a cup of tap water. It may be a little salty, but it’ll make pineapple’s sweet taste even better.
Next Up: Learn how to clean fruits and veggies.
Try These Pineapple Recipes
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Pina Colada Grilled PineappleDuring a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
Caramelized Pineapple SundaesWhenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla's nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi PopsKiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.—Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Southwestern Pineapple Pork ChopsThis quick entree will instantly transport you to the Southwest. Salsa plays lively counterpoint to the juicy pineapple-sweetened pork chops.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Pineapple Pie with Coconut CreamYou’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Grilled Peach & Pineapple SangriaGrill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Banana-Pineapple Cream PiesMy mother gave me this simple and delicious recipe years ago. The recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a potluck. I've never met anyone who didn't like it! —Robyn Appenzeller, Portsmouth, Virginia
Pig Pickin' CakeA pig pickin’ cake is a southern delight that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Fresh Fruit SalsaThis salad has all the bright colors and fresh flavors of summer. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York.
Pineapple Upside-Down MuffinsFor a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top. —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan
Scalloped Pineapple CasseroleMy family can't get enough of this sweet and satisfying side dish. This casserole disappears quickly whenever I prepare it.—Judy Howle, Columbus, Mississippi
Pina Colada Molded SaladMy gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Shrimp Fried RicePineapple shrimp fried rice is a quick one-bowl meal that can be customized with your favorite vegetables. You can even serve it in a pineapple!
Creamy Pineapple PieCreamy pineapple pie is a light and refreshing dessert that's quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-FryI found the original recipe for this dish on a can of pineapple slices in the 1980s. After making it for a number of years, I lightened the ingredients and adapted it to a quick skillet meal. My family gave it a big thumbs-up, and we've enjoyed it this way ever since! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Dump CakeOur crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!
Pineapple Cheesecake-Topped CakeMy brother-in-law asked me to make a cheesecake version of pineapple upside down cake, and after many attempts, I created one. It’s a yummy twist on a classic.—Rebecca Everett, Kansas City, Missouri
Tropical Cranberry CobblerThe sunny island flavors of pineapple and orange go so well with the tart cranberries in this dessert. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a tasty treat. —Jeanne Holt, St. Paul, MN
Pina Colada Zucchini BreadPina colada zucchini bread is a fun new take on the usual quick bread loaf. This recipe is filled with tons of summery flavors, from tropical pineapple and coconut to heady rum and vanilla.
Coconut-Pineapple Sherbet TorteI made up this torte one afternoon, and when I served it that night, it vanished within minutes. That's when I knew I'd struck gold. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Teriyaki Pineapple DrumsticksWe have a large family and throw big parties, so I look for ways to free my husband from the grill. Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
Frozen Hawaiian PieCool summer pies are one of Mom's specialties. This version offers pineapple, maraschino cherries and walnuts that are folded into a fluffy filling. It's an easy yet tempting no-bake dessert. —Jennifer Mcquillan, Jacksonville, Florida
Cream Cheese-Pineapple PieI've made this pie many times for friends, relatives, guests, church suppers and bazaars, and I'm always getting requests for the recipe. I've lived on farms all my life—we used to have a potato farm on Long Island, and now my son farms his own land and manages mine here in Delaware, growing soybeans and wheat. —Elizabeth Brown, Clayton, Delaware
Pina Colada Icebox CakeThis icebox cake has all the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Hawaiian WafflesI created this waffle recipe to recapture the memorable tropical tastes we enjoyed while visiting Hawaii. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Island Breezes Coffee CakeWith the island flavors, this simple pull-apart bread is perfect for a spring brunch. —Debra Goforth, Newport, Tennessee
Originally Published: May 27, 2022
