Nothing says “Welcome” like a pineapple. The story behind our pineapple themed cutting boards and why a pineapple is the symbol of hospitality.

In our house the etymology of a word is always a question we seek to answer. So when we were talking about designing a unique cutting board with a pineapple theme we had to know where that word came from. As it turns out the word “pineapple” in English was used to describe the reproductive organs of a conifer tree (what we now call pine cones). The Europeans, when first seeing this fruit, started calling them “pineapples”. In Spanish the pineapple is called piña which translates to “pine cone”. This brings us to the piña colada drink which in my opinion is one of the best things that you can make from a pineapple! Click here for a recipe.

If you have ever been to the south you know the pineapple shape is used to decorate the inside and outside of the home. From architectural elements, door knockers and planters to napkins, wall hangings and holiday décor, the pineapple is everywhere. Back in the day a pineapple was hard to come by so only the affluent hostess would adorn her table with the much sought after and hard to get tropical fruit. As the main centerpiece of the table at social gatherings it came to represent hospitality, welcome, warmth, friendship and good cheer.

We live in the south, we love to eat pineapples and decorate with them so it was only natural to come up with custom cutting boards and a trivet with a pineapple theme. Check out our custom cutting board with pineapple cut out, our newly designed pineapple cutting board where the pineapple shape is the “O” in HOME and trivet with pineapple cut out.

How to pick the perfect pineapple:

To pick the perfect pineapple, look for ones that are heavy for their size, Then turn it over and smell the bottom. If it smells fragrant and sweet you have a winner. If it doesn’t, put it back, there isn’t enough sugar so it won’t be sweet or juicy. Even if you’re desperate for pineapple, if it doesn’t pass the sniff test it will not taste good. Try the canned or frozen section of the store for your pineapple fix.

Fun fact: Pineapples don’t ripen more once harvested but they will rot so you have to eat it fast. You can refrigerate it to keep it longer, or cut pineapple can be frozen.

How to cut a pineapple:

1. Lay it on a cutting board and cut the top (crown) and bottom off. Then cut it in half (I think it’s easier to cut off the peel when you are working with 2 halves).
2. Set one half at a time on its cut base on the cutting board and trim off the peel, just deep enough to remove the eyes.
3. Cut each half lengthwise, then halve each halve.
4. Cut into chunks and enjoy!

Our pineapple inspired cutting boards and trivet are sure to be a keepsake that will do double duty as home décor. A unique wedding gift, house warming gift, hostess gift, thank you gift or holiday gift.

All of our custom cutting boards and trivets are cut by hand on a scroll saw. They are then hand-sanded and oiled in small batches in food-grade mineral oil.

Made with love in Baltimore, MD

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