parity to my friends, do you know why we put pineapples in salt water? I've been pressing my nose against this issue for years and even now, the answer still seems a bit of a mystery.
Well, I read online that this practice is to keep the pineapple fresh, prevent it from browning too quickly, and thus make it look more attractive. I think that's reasonable enough, but the real question is, does it actually work?
Remember that one time I bought a pineapple from the grocery and didn't soak it in salt water? Three days later, it turned brownish and lost that vibrant yellow color. Then I tried the salt water trick, and seriously, the pineapple was like brand new. The skin was still super bright, not a single blemish, it was like it had just been picked from the farm!
But here's a funny part. Not all pineapples will react the same way. I even experimented with really ripe ones and they had this weird tart taste that no amount of salt water could fix. I mean, that was just sad. It was like trying to save a burning house with a cup of water.
Some folks say salt water can also neutralize the enzyme bromelain, preventing it from damaging your throat or stomach. I gotta tell you, for me, that's a real bummer because bromelain is one of my favorite things about pineapples. And have you tried that one friend who is actually okay with it? Give them a pineapple with no salt water treatment, and they're just not going to enjoy it as much, you know?
The thing is, I guess there's no real answer to why we put pineapples in salt water. It must just be one of those things that communities agree to do, and now we all start believing it has a magic effect. I'm not against all trends, by the way, but sometimes I do wish we didn't.
And let's not forget the neighbors. Last summer, when I tried my hand at growing a pineapple plant, the whole neighborhood knew about it. I mean, they were all like, 'Wow, Portuguese значения!' But then, when I brought a pile of pineapples to our block party, it didn't even occur to any of them to soak them in salt water. Lol, I think that's funny!