Pineapple question

RavensGryf · Jul 30, 2015

Although I love tropical fruits, and love a good pineapple, it is one I only rarely buy. I never think of it I guess, and just pass it by. This year though, I thought I'd try it. After cutting the skin off and core out, you sure waste a lot of the total weight!

Anyway, my question - if you're familiar with pineapple, you might know that characteristic uncomfortable "stinging, burning" sensation (the best I can describe it) that permeates your mouth? Last night's pineapple, although delicious, was exceptionally bad with that 'burning' or whatever that is, that literally lasted hours after I'd eaten it. It wouldn't wash away.

I assume it has to do with the acid particular to this fruit? Does anyone know of a way to reduce this effect?

Mariar · Jul 30, 2015

Tums. Lol.

Christinenc2000 · Jul 30, 2015

I hate that feeling. No way to get rid of it as far as I know. I ate to much one day and it happened. Like a tingle in your mouth

RavensGryf · Jul 30, 2015

Tums mariar? I mean for the sensation in my mouth, not stomach

!

Allee · Jul 30, 2015

Julie, an enzyme called bromelain is the reason for your lasting discomfort after eating fresh pineapple. Bromelain readily breaks down proteins, it's so good at it's job it can be used as a natural meat tenderizer. The only other reason I can think of is you may be mildly allergic.

RavensGryf · Jul 30, 2015

Thank you Allee! Bromelain

. I tried eating it with a bite of my chicken at the same time to buffer the effect, but it didn't work. By the end of the meal I was suffering lol.

Right now, I'm having more in my salad... so far it hasn't happened. I may need to research to find what neutralizes Bromelain... or else stay away from fresh pineapple

.

Meat tenderizer huh? I should have cooked it WITH the chicken breasts which were tough even though not over cooked lol.

ToMang07 · Jul 30, 2015

Sounds like a mild allergic reaction to me.

JerseyWendy · Jul 30, 2015

ToMang07 said:
Sounds like a mild allergic reaction to me.

Ditto, those were my initial thoughts, too.

labell · Jul 30, 2015

Unless you cut it too close or into the core I would also say you are allergic.
The core is really where most of the Bromelain is.

RavensGryf · Jul 30, 2015

labell said:
Unless you cut it too close or into the core I would also say you are allergic.
The core is really where most of the Bromelain is.

That's interesting! Nope. It wasn't close to the core at all. I asked Don if it happens to him, and while he knows what I'm talking about, it's not bad enough for him to complain about, so I guess I am mildly allergic to it, or at least more sensitive.

Strangely, I risked having the same amount in my salad just now, and it didn't bother me at all. Maybe when it's freshly cut, the bromelain is more potent, rather than when it sits cut in the fridge overnight?

Kiwibird · Jul 30, 2015

Pineapple also contains a lot of citric acid, which was my first thought. Do you have issues with other foods that contain it? I know if I eat too much fruit high in citric acid, I get a bit of a burning sensation in my mouth (from the acid). However, in the winter when I drink large amounts of citrus juice daily, I quickly build up a tolerance to it. Perhaps you just ate too much after a long time not eating any?

A long long time ago (when I was a young tween/teen) I ate copious amounts of pineapple because I heard it made certain parts of you develop bigger:54: When I really overdid it, I would get lingering, burning small "bumps" in my mouth. It was worth it though

RavensGryf · Jul 30, 2015

Kiwibird said:
Pineapple also contains a lot of citric acid, which was my first thought. Do you have issues with other foods that contain it? I know if I eat too much fruit high in citric acid, I get a bit of a burning sensation in my mouth (from the acid). However, in the winter when I drink large amounts of citrus juice daily, I quickly build up a tolerance to it. Perhaps you just ate too much after a long time not eating any?

A long long time ago (when I was a young tween/teen) I ate copious amounts of pineapple because I heard it made certain parts of you develop bigger:54: When I really overdid it, I would get lingering, burning small "bumps" in my mouth. It was worth it though

ROTFL :18::18:!!!! That's hilarious April!! ...urban legend?

No, other citrus or juice does not do it. Only pineapple

. The amount of pineapple was not much. I can't tell you how many ounces, but it wasn't a big serving.

Scott · Jul 31, 2015

I know several people with mild reactions to pineapple; most grin and bear the sting as they love the flavor.

OTOH, there's the magic of asparagus!

. Seems you either have the reaction or not..... not much variation!

RavensGryf · Jul 31, 2015

Well, this is interesting. It only did that to me the first time (when it was fresh cut). After eating it 2 more times, the next day after sitting cut in a tupperware, it was fine. Maybe I'll have to experiment next time to see if the bromelain sort of neutralizes out of the fruit once it's cut and exposed to air for some time??

Ximichi · Aug 1, 2015

Have you tried washing it in salt water? I used to get that stinging sensation on my tongue, but a family friend told me to just soak it in some salt water and rinse after 10 or so minutes.

RavensGryf · Aug 1, 2015

Ximichi said:
Have you tried washing it in salt water? I used to get that stinging sensation on my tongue, but a family friend told me to just soak it in some salt water and rinse after 10 or so minutes.

I've actually never heard of that

. So it doesn't alter the flavor? I would think it would not be easy to wash the salt completely off. I honestly think maybe just letting it sit cut for a day or so helps, or maybe a clean fresh water wash, but thank you for the additional tip!

chris-md · Aug 1, 2015

I'm in the allergy category, if this is a pins and needles feeling. It's often a sign that your actually allergic to something else that the chemical in the pineapple is structurally similar to. Same thing happens with me and kiwi. I'm a little distracted so I can't go into it. But google something like "kiwi pins and needles mouth" and you'll learn more. It's common with some tropical fruits.

Ximichi · Aug 1, 2015

RavensGryf said:
Ximichi said:

Have you tried washing it in salt water? I used to get that stinging sensation on my tongue, but a family friend told me to just soak it in some salt water and rinse after 10 or so minutes.

Click to expand...

I've actually never heard of that . So it doesn't alter the flavor? I would think it would not be easy to wash the salt completely off. I honestly think maybe just letting it sit cut for a day or so helps, or maybe a clean fresh water wash, but thank you for the additional tip!

I think it's an Asian thing. Anyways, I haven't noticed a big difference in flavor. I use a big bowl of water and maybe 1 tablespoon of table salt. Just make sure you rinse the pineapples well after

RavensGryf · Aug 1, 2015

chris-md said:
I'm in the allergy category, if this is a pins and needles feeling. It's often a sign that your actually allergic to something else that the chemical in the pineapple is structurally similar to. Same thing happens with me and kiwi. I'm a little distracted so I can't go into it. But google something like "kiwi pins and needles mouth" and you'll learn more. It's common with some tropical fruits.

When I googled this about pineapple, the best I could find was similar to what Allee said earlier in the thread, about the enzyme bromelain being responsible for irritating your mouth. That would make sense 'why' it happens, which would lead one to believe that it isn't necessarily an allergy, but that does not explain why it DOESN'T happen to some people.

DexMom · Aug 1, 2015

I have a similar reaction to fresh pineapple if it's eaten fresh cut and raw, yet if my husband tosses it on the grill briefly (just enough for some grill marks), or I toss it in as a last minute addition to a stir fry, I have no reaction at all. I'm assuming the heat breaks down something in the pineapple that my body is responding to.

Pineapple question

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Oh dear... hubby wants one of THESE

Blue Moon tonight

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