Schools and hidden food danger (unripe pineapple).
A rant/warning to share...
I know that not all modern kids are keen on fruits and veg but ours is and this didn't work out when our local school had served them unripe pineapples for desert.
We all know that fresh pineapples have that mouth tingling effect when eaten. This is due to the enzyme bromelain contained in pineapples and it attacks proteins. Ripe pineapples have little of it left with higher does still concentrated in the central core, cooked or frozen pineapples have pretty much none. High concentration of this enzyme is present in unripe pineapple's flesh and the most in the core. The school has served green pineapple quarters with core bits still on them. So, for the pineapple eater who had no clue this was a bad experience to be had. Stomach cramps and mildly loose stool (this is clearly different to stomach bugs when you know the difference).
So, if your kids are fruit lovers, do let them know that what looks unripe is better not be eaten and especially so for pineapples.
I know that not all modern kids are keen on fruits and veg but ours is and this didn't work out when our local school had served them unripe pineapples for desert.
We all know that fresh pineapples have that mouth tingling effect when eaten. This is due to the enzyme bromelain contained in pineapples and it attacks proteins. Ripe pineapples have little of it left with higher does still concentrated in the central core, cooked or frozen pineapples have pretty much none. High concentration of this enzyme is present in unripe pineapple's flesh and the most in the core. The school has served green pineapple quarters with core bits still on them. So, for the pineapple eater who had no clue this was a bad experience to be had. Stomach cramps and mildly loose stool (this is clearly different to stomach bugs when you know the difference).
So, if your kids are fruit lovers, do let them know that what looks unripe is better not be eaten and especially so for pineapples.
