According to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, tasting this type of pineapple is a “once in a thousand years opportunity.”
The Telegraph (UK) reported that in 2012, a pineapple made its way onto the list of the world’s most expensive fruits, valued at £10,000 (nearly 350 million VND at that time). This pineapple is grown at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England.
Why is the pineapple at Lost Gardens of Heligan so expensive?
The special pineapple grown at Lost Gardens of Heligan.
The gardeners at Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, located in the southwest of England, have meticulously cultivated this special variety of pineapple using traditional royal methods dating back to the 19th century. According to the information on the Lost Gardens of Heligan website, this rare and difficult-to-grow pineapple variety was often regarded as a symbol of high status and wealth during the reign of Queen Victoria. The presence of a pineapple on the dining table was a demonstration of style and affluence.
At Lost Gardens of Heligan, there is a system of pineapple pits heated with manure and horse urine. This is currently the only system of its kind in England.
According to DNA India, this pineapple variety was introduced to England in 1819; however, gardeners soon realized that the climate in England was not suitable for growing pineapples. Hence, they devised a clever method of designing special wooden pit-shaped containers, then added fresh manure and horse urine to provide heat, similar to a heating system.
This pineapple uses traditional Victorian growing methods.
Although the pineapple pits are warmed with manure and horse urine, the fruit itself never comes into direct contact with manure or urine at any stage of the growing process. Manure is placed in a trough behind and in front of the pit.
Lost Gardens of Heligan further explains that they use traditional Victorian methods for growing pineapples. This method is quite unique, albeit more time-consuming and costly.
Controlling temperature and humidity during the pineapple growing process is crucial, especially to avoid overwatering the plants. Regularly replacing fresh horse manure is essential to maintain temperature during colder weather.
James Stephens, a spokesperson for Lost Gardens of Heligan, stated that the pineapples grown here have a flavor that is “sweet, not fibrous, and bursting with flavor. Anyone who tastes this pineapple will be left speechless by its wonderful taste. They will have to thank those who worked hard to cultivate such a delicious fruit.”
Each pineapple at Lost Gardens of Heligan has a total cultivation cost of up to £1,200.
The costs of labor, transporting fertilizers, and maintaining the pineapple pits mean that each pineapple at Lost Gardens of Heligan has a total cultivation cost of up to £1,200 (nearly 40 million VND). Approximately 90 tons of horse manure are used throughout the year, and the supply and transport are not cheap. When high-quality horse manure is unavailable, the center is forced to use electric heating.
“Only the staff at Lost Gardens of Heligan are allowed to taste the pineapples here as a thank you for their hard work.”
It can take between 1 to 2 years to grow a single pineapple. With the unique cultivation process, the pineapples at Lost Gardens of Heligan can fetch up to £10,000 at auction. Where else can you find a pineapple in Cornwall grown under such similar conditions?” – Mr. Stephens said.
