At a time when most summer fruits are reaching their peak, pineapple springs eternal. A main player in tropical drinks, fruit salads and barbecue marinades, pineapple tends to evoke carefree, sunny memories—the kind most of us are hungry for right now, and will be long after pumpkin spice takes over. But hey, even if you can't get away, you can almost always get fresh pineapple. And with this one easy hack, you can enjoy it more, too.
Science hasn't nailed down any numbers, but for some people, eating this sweet and spiky fruit brings with it a mild tingling. You may have chalked it up to the acid or extreme sweetness of the fruit, but the real culprit is bromelain, a protein found in pineapple (and in practically no other foods we eat). "Bromelain breaks down proteins, and some people find that sensation unpleasant," says Michael Tunick, Ph.D., an assistant clinical professor of culinary arts and food science at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Often, he says, people who experience the sensation may not even realize they're feeling anything abnormal.
Bromelain is what makes pineapple juice a great ingredient for marinades, since it helps tenderize meats, and a terrible ingredient for Jell-O. "It breaks down the gelatin so you're left with just a gooey mess," says Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D., a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine in Orono, and a past president of the Institute of Food Technologists. Papain, a protein found in raw papaya, has a similar effect, which is why it's often an ingredient in meat tenderizing powders.
There is an easy solution (literally) to your pineapple problems, though: salt water. Salt triggers bromelain to begin working, so by the time the pineapple reaches your mouth, the enzyme has been inactivated, says Tunick. Dipping fresh pineapple briefly in a saltwater solution is the best way to maximize contact between salt and bromelain. While there hasn't been a lot of scientific research into the best kind of salt, the ideal ratio of salt to water, or how long pineapple should soak in the brine, my own informal tests with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt in a cup of tap water for a minute worked just fine. You don't want to go much longer than that or you'll risk affecting the taste and texture.
And yes, as you would expect, this makes your pineapple a tad salty. But salt balances the sweetness and acidity nicely. "It's a long-standing culinary tradition to salt sweet things," says Camire. "A little bit of salt helps intensifies the sweet flavor."
If you're not a fan of salted fruit, high heat also inactivates bromelain, so baking or grilling pineapple will prevent that tingling sensation (and tastes amazing in general). It's also not an issue with canned pineapple because the heat required for the canning process has the same effect, says Camire. But if you like piña coladas, this could be the trick to enjoying them even more.
FAQs
According to Dr Choi, salt helps inactivate the bromelain enzymes, and even adding a small amount of salt can enhance the fruit's sweetness making it even more delicious, she said. How to add salt? *Soak for around one minute and enjoy!
How to get rid of tingly feeling after eating pineapple? ›
Sheehan recommends to help improve the stinging:
- Try cooking the pineapple to 135°F. This kills off the enzymes that cause burning, Dr. Sheehan says. ...
- Combine it with dairy. That allows bromelain to focus on the whey and casein proteins in it instead of the ones in your mouth. The dairy will also help neutralize the pH.
Answer. bromelain can alter the taste of foods and beverages. When you drink water after eating pineapple, bromelain can interact with the proteins in your mouth, briefly changing your perception of the taste of water and giving it a slightly odd or metallic flavor.
How do you keep pineapple from eating your tongue? ›
If your tongue is still a burning fire, there's hope yet: Cooking the pineapple (grill it, roast it, or even blanch it) can remove most of the enzymes. Or pair the fruit with a creamy dairy product (yogurt, ice cream, crème fraîche).
Why should I eat pineapple before meeting him? ›
Yes, ladies — and men too, for that matter — drinking a good sized glass of pineapple juice a couple of hours before the deed can help make your bodily fluids taste and even smell better. Fruits in general are good because they contain acids and sugars. But, Paget cautions, avoid some vegetables, like asparagus.
Why soak pineapple in salt water? ›
Salt triggers bromelain to begin working, so by the time the pineapple reaches your mouth, the enzyme has been inactivated, says Tunick. Dipping fresh pineapple briefly in a saltwater solution is the best way to maximize contact between salt and bromelain.
Why do I feel weird after eating pineapple? ›
Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a proteolytic enzyme , meaning that it breaks down proteins. When coupled with pineapple's acidic content, this can cause mild irritation in a person's oral mucosa (tongue, mouth, and throat).
Does adding salt to pineapple make it sweeter? ›
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.
What neutralizes pineapple acid? ›
Salt doesn't just neutralize the bromelain — it also manages to keep any bitter flavors that might be lurking in the pineapple at bay, leaving your fruit possibly sweeter than you expect.
Why shouldn't we drink water immediately after eating? ›
Gulping down huge amounts of water after eating can affect proper digestion and it's important to drink water moderately post a meal. One must wait for 30-60 minutes before consuming large amount of water.
According to experts, nearly 10 per cent of your daily fibre needs can be met with just one cup of pineapple! Fibrous foods have multiple health benefits - they can improve digestion. They can also aid in weight loss as they help you feel full.
Can dogs have pineapple? ›
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat pineapple. Pineapple is just one of the many "human foods" that dogs can eat. Raw pineapple is packed with nutrients that benefit both you and your canine companion. Frozen pieces of pineapple are also a delicious way to beat the heat.
Why do pineapples eat you back? ›
See, pineapple contains a substance called bromelain. It's like a co*cktail of different mouth eaters because it contains a bunch of enzymes that breaks down things like cellulose and proteins. And it's those protein-breaking enzymes, or proteases, in particular that wreak havoc for your mouth.
What does pineapple mean in girl code? ›
The prickly but sweet 🍍 signifies a “complicated” relationship, but this fruit-filled code has many other ingredients in the mix: : Single. 🍎: Engaged. 🍒: Committed relationship.
How long does it take pineapple to make sperm taste better? ›
Changes in the taste of sem*n from ingesting certain foods and liquids take days to weeks to manifest. Prostate secretions make up a large portion of the sem*n produced a few days before ejacul*tion, so drinking a pint of pineapple juice today won't sweeten sem*n tonight.
What does pineapple do before bed? ›
1. Pineapple. The consumption of melatonin (a hormone found in a few foods, including pineapple) may increase the concentration of melatonin in your blood. Melatonin doesn't magically make you feel sleepy, but it can help reset your circadian rhythm, also known as your 24-hour sleep and wake cycle.
How do you stop irritation after eating pineapple? ›
Dr. Husain recommends rubbing salt on pineapple or soaking it in salt water (and rinsing before consumption). Cooking pineapple can also reduce the irritation caused by enzymes. Lastly, she says pairing the acidic fruit with dairy-based products, like cream or yogurt, can help neutralize the acid.
How do you get rid of pineapple allergy? ›
Your doctor may recommend avoiding pineapple altogether, and they may also prescribe an antihistamine or EpiPen as a precaution. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, avoid pineapple and any product that may contain the fruit. If you eliminate your exposure to the fruit, you won't experience any symptoms.
How to deactivate bromelain? ›
Boiling pineapple can deactivate bromelain . The thermal inactivation kinetics of bromelain in pineapple juice were studied, and it was found that bromelain follows first-order kinetics and is deactivated by heat .
Can pineapple cause numbness? ›
One contributing factor to the tingly-ness and numbness that occurs after eating pineapple is the acidity of the fruit which is due to its high Vitamin C content. The main cause is a group of enzymes called bromelain that are found in pineapple juice and the stem.
