WITH SUMMER ENTERTAINING THE FOCUS OF MOST WEEKEND ACTIVITIES...here are a few fun ways of incorporating the pineapple motif into your decor ideas; after all it is the *symbol of hospitality!
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The rise of the pineapple as a symbol of hospitality in
Colonial times no doubt came about because of its rarity. But the tropical
fruit had a long journey before it found its present-day purpose as a refreshing
cocktail or the ever-popular upside-down
cake.
Introduction of Pineapples To Europe The first
recorded encounter between a European and a pineapple occurred in November of
1493, when Christopher Columbus, on his second voyage to the Caribbean region,
went ashore to inspect a deserted Carib village. Among dense foliage and wooden
pillars carved with serpents, his crew came upon piles of freshly gathered
vegetables and strange fruits. The European sailors ate, enjoyed and wrote
about the curious new fruit, which had an abrasive, segmented exterior like a
pinecone and a firm interior pulp like an apple.
Refined cane sugar and fresh fruit were expensive
rarities when Columbus returned to Europe and introduced the sweet pineapple.
It was an instant hit among the royal court, but it took almost two hundred
years before gardeners were able to perfect a hothouse method for growing a
tropical pineapple plant. Even in the late 17th century, the pineapple
remained so uncommon and coveted that King Charles II of England posed for an
official portrait in an act that was symbolic of royal privilege -- receiving a
pineapple as a gift.
Across the Ocean In the small towns and sparse
communities of the American colonies, two things worked together to solidify
the pineapple’s reputation as a status symbol: sparse supply and high demand.
Trade ships brought in preserved pineapple sweetmeats--pineapple chunks
candied, glazed and packed in sugar, while the actual whole fruit was even more
costly and difficult to obtain. Most of the fruit rotted during the hot, humid,
and slow sea voyage from the Caribbean to the colonies. Only the speediest
ships, aided by the best weather conditions, could deliver ripe, wholesome
pineapples to the confectionery shops of cities such as Boston, Philadelphia,
Annapolis and Williamsburg.
The Tradition The ability of a hostess to have a
pineapple adorn her dining table for an important event said as much about her
rank in society as it did about her ingenuity. These beautiful fruits were in
such high demand, but so hard to get, that colonial confectioners would often
rent them to households by the day. Later, the same fruit was sold to other,
more affluent clients who actually ate it. While fruits in general--fresh,
dried, candied and
jellied--were in great demand, the pineapple was the true celebrity. Its
rarity, expense, and striking beauty made it the ultimate exotic fruit.
Visitors confronted with pineapple-topped food displays felt particularly
honored by a hostess who obviously spared no expense to ensure her guests'
dining pleasure. In this manner, the image of the pineapple came to express the
sense of hospitality characteristic of gracious home gatherings.
The Legend The sea captains of New England traded
among the Caribbean Islands, returning to the colonies bearing their heavy
cargoes of spices, rum, and a selection of fruits, which sometimes included
pineapples. According to the legend, the captain would drop anchor in the
harbor and see to his cargo and crew. Once his work was done, he would head
home, stopping outside his house to spear a pineapple on a fence post. This
would let his friends know of his safe return from sea. The pineapple was an
invitation for them to visit, share his food and drink, and listen to tales of
his voyage.
As the tradition and legend of the pineapple grew,
colonial innkeepers added the pineapple to their signs and advertisements, and
bedposts carved in the shape of a pineapple were a common sight at inns across
the colonies. It is not surprising that this symbol of friendship and
hospitality became a favorite motif of architects, artisans and craftsmen.
The Shirley Plantation of
Virginia, a bastion of Southern hospitality since 1613, has a pineapple
finial atop its roof, and the motif appears as an architectural element
throughout the home. This tradition continues today, for pineapples are still
popular motifs for gateposts, door knockers, and beautiful serving pieces.
Pineapples share a colorful piece in the social history
of our country. So which story do you prefer? Do you like the story of a proper
Colonial hostess honoring her guests with an elaborate food display anchored by
the elusive pineapple? Or perhaps you prefer the story of a swashbuckling sea
captain returning from a voyage, nonchalantly spiking a pineapple worth a small
fortune on his gatepost, signaling his friends to stop by for a pint and some
stories?
Credit: Southern Living, By Patricia S. York
UNTIL NEXT TIME "WORK IT" ERB
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