Market Basket
Kahili Farms pineapples perfectly sweet

By Joan Namkoong
Advertiser Food Editor

Sugar Loaf pineapples, grown on Kaua'i, are sugary and low-acid. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Sugar Loaf pineapple, in markets this week, is also fiberless — no little bits of pineapple in your teeth. Grown on Kaua'i at Kahili Farms, these 5- to 6-pound, white-fleshed pineapples differ significantly from the more familiar Cayenne variety with its golden flesh. That's because the Sugar Loaf is a sport, a keiki thrown off from the main plant that's just a bit different from its parent. For the past 20 years, farmer Mike Strong has been cultivating and selecting these sports and now has 50 acres planted. Strong and his wife, Candace, along with partner Paul Huber, are proud that their pineapple is among the selections of the premium fruit mail-order house, Harry and David.

"We don't use any pesticides," Strong pointed out. "The warmer, sunnier climate of Moloa'a on the east side of Kaua'i makes for sweeter fruit. During the summer the brix (a measure of sugar content) is 17-20, in the winter its 16-18. The higher the number, the sweeter the fruit."

Eat this pineapple when the eyes are yellow but the skin is still green, advised Strong. "It's not good if the fruit turns completely yellow. Once picked, the fruit has about a four-week shelf life."

Kahili Farm pineapples are in most grocery stores; specially priced at Foodland (89 cents a pound on O'ahu; 99 cents a pound on Neighbor Islands).

Popcorn for pop

Jade Street Productions, makers of Volcano Popcorn, has come up with Da Best POP Corn just for Father's Day, a gallon-sized jar of popcorn packed in a palaka print shirt with coconut buttons gift tag. The special packaging is available through Saturday at We're Best of Friends at 1223 Koko Head Ave.; $8 a jar. Orders: 734-3693.

Send shopping queries and product information to: Market Basket, The Ho-nolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: jnamkoong@honoluluadvertiser.com or phone 525-8069.