August 17 is National Pineapple Juice Day and an exciting time to celebrate the natural citrusy sweet taste of pineapple juice! Join us as we raise our glass to this tropical juice full of flavorful facts deserving of a celebration.
Pineapple juice is a tropical drink that delivers a refreshing boost of hydration and Vitamin C. With its beautiful bright flavors, one sip of pineapple juice instantly transports your taste buds to the tropics. Today, we join millions of people across the globe to hold a celebration and start their day differently on National Pineapple Juice Day.
Native to South America, pineapple arrived in Hawaii courtesy of the Spanish sometime in the 18th century. However, the truly juicy story of pineapple juice unfolds there with a man named James Dole playing a pivotal role.
In 1899, James Dole moved to Hawaii with $1,000, a Harvard degree in business and horticulture, and a love of farming. Dole began growing pineapples on his newly purchased 60-acre pineapple plantation and quickly realized he had a sweet opportunity to provide the juiciest pineapples to the world.
After his first harvest, Dole started shipping pineapples to people on the mainland in the United States. However, there seemed to be an issue of keeping the freshness of the pineapples. Dole wanted to make the sunshine and taste of Hawaiian pineapples available for everyone. As a result he developed a canning technique to preserve the delicious taste of the pineapple fruit and juice.
“On this National Pineapple Juice Day, we are thrilled to celebrate the unique and tantalizing pineapple juice that consumers have been loving for many years. Serving a revitalizing change of pace for consumers, Dole® 100% Pineapple Juice is a naturally sweet, refreshing choice for juice drinkers without needing added sugar. Plus, it’s packed with Vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals. So, over 90 years since Dole first put pineapple juice in cans, raise a glass of sunshine and cheers to the naturally delicious taste of pineapple juice!”
In 2023, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC and National Day Calendar began a collaboration to create National Pineapple Juice Day. During the entire month of May, Dole called for all pineapple juice lovers to sign a petition and take the charge to make National Pineapple Juice Day official. To sweeten the deal, Dole made a donation for each signature to Feeding America® (up to $5,000) to support programs to end hunger as part of the Dole Promise. National Calendar Day unanimously approved Dole Packaged Foods, LLC’s request to establish National Pineapple Juice Day to be celebrated annually on August 17.
About the Founder
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, is a world leader in distributing, growing, marketing fruit and healthy snacks and sourcing in four core categories:
Beverage
Snacks
Frozen
Pantry
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC also sells a full line of packaged shelf stable fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit and juices focusing on supporting four pillars of sustainability:
Water management
Carbon footprint
Soil conservation
Waste reduction
Visit dolesunshine.com to learn more information about Dole and their products.
Perfectly Pineapple
Pineapple juice is a versatile ingredient in the culinary world. With plenty of ways to use it, pineapple juice adds sweetness, slight acidity and a savory balance to any recipe.
Sipped Solo – As an excellent source of Vitamin C, pineapple juice is a great choice for a morning beverage.
Marinade – Pineapple juice is great for tenderizing poultry, especially on chicken and pork. In fact, it also creates a delicious glaze for grilled food, too.
Vinaigrette – Pineapple juice mixed with honey, olive oil, and lime or lemon juice adds delicious elements to any vinaigrette salad dressing.
Baking – Substituting pineapple juice for water adds moisture and an additional touch of sweetness to cake and quick breads. You can also use pineapple juice to add a touch of the tropics to frostings.
Cocktails – Pineapple juice also adds a fresh, citrus, and sweet flavor to several tropical-flavored cocktails, including Piña Coladas and blended pineapple margaritas.
National Pineapple Juice Day brings about many ways to celebrate. From learning about the history to savor the early beginnings to implementing it into your daily diet, pineapple juice deserves a time to shine. Show us how you celebrate National Pineapple Juice Day by sharing your photos or pineapple juice recipes on social media using #NationalPineappleJuiceDay and #NationalPJDay.
We celebrate National Passion Fruit Day each year on August 9. Join us today as we celebrate the delightful sweet and tangy flavor of the tropical fruit known as passion fruit. We also want to promote and honor the hard working farmers and growers that provide passion fruit to consumers in the United States.
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit belonging to the Passifloraceae family, which is a combination of flowering plants that has over 750 species. Passion fruit is native to South America, specifically in regions of Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The fruit grows abundantly in South America because of the tropical climate, where warm temperatures and rainfall attribute to the abundant growth of the fruit. South America has extremely fertile soil, which provides essential nutrients that promote healthy growth. Interestingly, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds also contribute to the successful growth of passionfruit in the region. However, passion fruit does grow in other parts of the world, including central America, Africa, Australia, and even Hawaii.
A Story About Passion Fruit
There is a legend in Hawaiian mythology about the goddess Pele, the deity of volcanoes and fire, and the passion fruit vine. According to the legend, Pele had a sister named Hi’iaka, who was a hula dancer and a healer. One day, Hi’iaka went on a journey to fetch Pele’s lover, Lohi’au, from a distant island. On her journey, Hi’iaka encountered many obstacles and temptations. During her travels, she came across a beautiful passion fruit vine laden with ripe, delicious fruits. She was drawn to the vine’s enchanting aroma and decided to take a short break to enjoy the fruits. However, this delay caused her mission to be prolonged, which angered Pele when she finally returned. To this day, it is said that Pele, in her jealousy and rage, turned the passion fruit vine into lava rocks and scattered them across the Hawaiian islands. The legend serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and staying focused on one’s goals, as even a brief distraction can lead to undesirable consequences. These legends add depth and cultural significance to the humble passion fruit, making it more than just a delightful tropical fruit. The stories tie the fruit to themes of sacrifice, love, and perseverance, adding a touch of mystique and wonder to its allure.
What is Passion Fruit? Passion fruit is a small, round or oval-shaped tropical fruit with big flavor. The outer portion of the fruit is either purple or yellow and has a wrinkly skin. Inside, you will find a jelly-like pulp with tons of little black seeds. Don’t worry, the black seeds are very edible! Purple passion fruit is more common and has a tarter flavor. Yellow passion fruit is larger than the purple fruit and is also sweeter.
Eating passion fruit provides high amounts of nutrients. For example, passion fruit contains vitamins C and A, calcium, and iron. All of which promote a healthy immune system, heart health, and assist with digestion.
The pulp of passion fruit can be used in juices, smoothies, salads, and even desserts. In fact, passion fruit is often used as a sauce and topping for a variety of dishes.
When Spanish missionaries named the passion fruit flower. When they first saw a passion fruit plant, they were amazed by the beautiful flowers and the way they appeared. To them, the flower structure was a symbolic element of the crucifixion of Christ, which included the crown of the thorn and the nails.
Passion fruit tastes best when it’s skin is slightly wrinkled. This means the inside is ripe and juicy. Eating passion fruit before the skin is wrinkly will result in the fruit tasting a bit tart or sour.
A passion fruit plant is a climbing vine that grows upwards extremely fast to get full sunlight. An average passion fruit plant can grow up to 20 feet high.
A PASSION FRUIT CELEBRATION
Passion fruit adds delicious flavor to a variety of food and drinks. You can add passion fruit and a little sweetener to a glass of ice water to create a refreshing summertime drink. If you enjoy homemade ice cream or sorbet, consider adding it to your recipe. Our favorite is passion fruit salad dressing. Simply add the pulp to your vinaigrette recipe and turn your salad into a tropical paradise for your taste buds.
Trying new food is always exciting. If you have never tried passion fruit, it’s time to visit your local fruit market or grocery store and pick a few up to sample.
Make National Passion Fruit Day a family celebration by hosting a tropical-themed party. Have platters of passion fruit and other various tropical fruits to eat, along with other foods native to tropical islands. Label each different platter so your guests know what you are eating.
We love to hear stories and see photos of people celebrating National Passion Fruit Day. Tag #NatinalPassionFruitDay on social media to share your photos, videos, and recipes with the world!
On March 26th each year, National Spinach Day reminds us of the health benefits packed into this leafy green vegetable. Not only are there so many delicious ways that you can enjoy spinach, but it is also incredibly good for you!
An annual plant, spinach grows natively in central and southwestern Asia. Thought to have originated in ancient Persia, Arab traders carried spinach into India and then later introduced into ancient China. There it was known as “Persian vegetable.” The earliest available record of the spinach plant was found in Chinese, saying that the spinach plant was introduced into China via Nepal.
During her reign as queen of France, Catherine de Medici enjoyed spinach so much, it was served at every meal. To this day, dishes made with spinach are known as “Florentine” reflecting Catherine’s birth in Florence.
Spinach is:
eaten raw or cooked and is available fresh, frozen or canned.
one of the best sources of iron.
an excellent source of calcium, folic acid, fiber, protein, calcium and vitamins A, C and K.
loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants
believed to help improve cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.
Types of spinach:
Savoy: dark green color with curly leaves; usually sold in fresh bunches. Flat or Smooth Leaf: broad, smooth leaves; mostly grown for canned and frozen spinach as well as soups, baby food and processed foods. Semi-savoy: a hybrid variety with crinkly leaves: is sold fresh and processed.
Following China, the United States produces the world’s second-largest crop of spinach.
California, Arizona, and New Jersey are the top spinach-producing states in the United States.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSpinachDay
Many of us enjoy spinach that celebrating is easy! Shake up your vegetable routine and mix up your greens. Experiment with some spinach.
Fresh spinach salad
Spinach pizza
Spinach dip
Cream spinach
Spinach lasagna
Add spinach to scrambled eggs
You can also plant some spinach in your spring garden. Not only will you reap the benefits of a lush green salad, but spinach doesn’t require much space.
Spinach grows in pots on a sunny balcony or in a small garden space.
Use fertile soil.
Plant in cool weather.
Keep moisture levels consistent.
Harvest and enjoy!
You can plant again in the fall. Double the bounty!
Share your favorite ways to add spinach to your meals. Use #NationalSpinachDay to post on social media.
On March 16th, National Artichoke Hearts Day offers a tasty option to add flavor to any dish.
According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, artichokes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. The antioxidants in artichokes are very good for your liver and help promote healthy skin. Artichokes are also high in fiber, calcium, and protein while low in calories. These reasons, plus being fat-free and cholesterol-free, make artichokes a healthy and delicious food to celebrate!
The total antioxidant capacity of an artichoke flower head is one of the highest reported for vegetables.
The fleshy base of the artichoke is perhaps the most enjoyably edible part of this oddly-shaped vegetable.
California is known as the artichoke capital of the world. They supply nearly 100% of North American fresh artichokes.
While artichokes may be a little difficult to prepare, you can find artichoke hearts packed in vinegar, oil, or marinade. Don’t let the artichoke heart fool you. They’re more versatile than they seem. Eat them as a snack or add them to dips or sauces. They also make excellent toppings on pizzas and flatbread. Toss them into the skillet for a savory sauté or infuse them into a broth. Artichoke hearts just might turn into a healthy addition to your cooking routine!
Pick up some fresh artichokes or canned artichoke hearts to make your favorite recipes. You can even test out a few new recipes with friends and family. Be sure to save and share your best ones. We offer a few techniques for you to try with your artichoke hearts, too.
Roast artichoke hearts with your potatoes and carrots. Season them lightly with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Try grilling fresh artichoke hearts for a smoky addition to your meal.
Create an artichoke salad or an artichoke dressing.
Make an artichoke heart and grilled cheese sandwich with smoked provolone.
March 1st was made for National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. Ah, peanut butter. One day is not enough to recognize peanut butter. The goober has been paired, blended, and added with many tasty results!
The creamy, nutty goodness known as peanut butter is so amazingly delicious that when we pair it with creamy and dreamy chocolate, we almost have bacon.
We digress. Another great love is peanut butter ice cream. Blended smooth with a few chopped nuts and a drizzle of peanut butter syrup is a peanut butter lover’s dream come true.
The slang term for peanut butter in World War II was “monkey butter.”
A monkey visited the lab at Kellogg’s one day and dipped his banana in a jar of peanut butter, and he’s been ape over the combination ever since. Actually, banana slices with peanut butter sandwiched between them and dipped in chocolate make a terrific snack.
Peanut butter and bananas were a combination even fit for a king. Elvis Presley loved a peanut butter and banana sandwich or two.
Then peanut butter got its passport and traveled the world. It paired up with some shrimp and got a little saucy. The result is a Thai peanut butter shrimp that is so yummy it had to be true love.
Things heated up a little when peanut butter jumped into the stew pot to sweat it out with a spring chick seasoned with some cayenne. African Chicken Peanut Stew tastes better than ever.
One of the best times peanut butter has ever had is with marshmallows. Fudge enjoys a satisfying dessert status to be envied.
It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
C.H. Sumner first sold peanut butter in the United States at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis. He sold $705.11 of the “new treat” at his concession stand.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was introduced to America in 1928.
The oldest operating manufacturer and seller of peanut butter has been selling peanut butter since 1898.
Mr. Ed TV’s used peanut butter as a secret ingredient to get a horse talking.
Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter.
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day first made its appearance in 1990 commemorating the anniversary of when peanut butter made its commercial debut in the United States. Promoted by both the Adult Peanut Butter Lovers Fan Club and the National Peanut Board, the day found full cover peanut butter spreads in newspapers across the country. An un-named doctor was given credit for first providing peanut butter to his patients. In March of 1890, he began providing the spread to those patients who had difficulty chewing. More than 100 years later, we continue to celebrate the benefits of peanut butter, and its history, too.
