Pineapple

Description:

Called Kuwish by the Achuar and Chiu by the Shuar, this is a short plant with very stiff leaves edged with many spines. They grow up to 3-4 feet tall. The fruit grows out of the middle on a center step, tipping over as it grows.

Habitat:

These are cultivated in the jungle villages here in the Amazon rainforest of SE Ecuador. Most of the villages in which we see it have fairly sandy soil. I don't know if that is necessary or even ideal, but it seems to do well in all villages.

Notes:

There are varieties with the meat of some being bright yellow and others being almost white. There is a difference in acidity also. Some, after eating it for a couple days, your tongue gets so sore you can't eat any more. Others don't seem to bother.