pineapple

[loopey]

i've just had a fresh pineapple and my tongue feels sort of sore and prickly, why is this?

[beerbelly]

your supposed to eat the inside bit ,
not the outside !!!!!

[WeeAngie]

very good ..I was gonna say that too ha ha

[loopey]

rofl!

[buttons]

i have no idea of the answer but when i eat fresh pineapple the same happens to me.  Never happens with the tinned stuff.

[spk]

You are probably a bit allergic to it. Take an antihistamine and it will go away

[Kazzarooney]

It is an allergy and antihistamines do work.  I suffer from hayfever quite badly and I can't eat any fruits during the summer especially pineapple, it actually makes my mouth and lips bleed.

[gen2]

It might be an allergy, but this is also a possible explanation:-

Pineapple contains enzymes that break down some proteins.  These enzymes may be attacking your lips, gums and tongue.  It is these enzymes that were the original reason for having a slice of pineapple on a gammon steak.  It helps to tenderise the meat.

[gen2]

This website "all about Pineapples"  names the enzyme.

In the second paragraph it says:
Fresh pineapple contains a digestive enzyme called bromelain that breaks down the protein in products such as milk, gelatin, and meat.

[alan30]

Just out of interest when my wife got a sea urchin spine embedded deep in her foot the locals (south of france) told her to put fresh pineapple on it as the juices would digest the damaged flesh and allow the spine to come out.  It worked.

[suzanneb]

....... i get the same when i eat fresh pineapple, however i also get it worse when i eat bananas!  so i try and avoid both !! why it happens?  i dunno

[WendyS]

Another thing to remember with fresh pineapple - don't ever try to set it in jelly.  The enzymes in the juice counteract the gelatine and it simply won't set.  I wasted three fruit jellies on one occasion before I discovered this fact.  Other fruits, (strawberries, raspberries, grapes, etc) are fine but give the pineapple a miss if you want to avoid disappointment with your fresh fruit terrines !

[gen2]

For your information, kiwi fruits and papaya are also rich in protein digesting enzymes and will also prevent gelatin setting as well as irritating the mouth of eaters when taken raw.