The pineapple industry is hoping for a spike in sales during the winter flu season, promoting the fruit as the ideal replacement for cold tablets.
The industry has enlisted high-profile Masterchef contestant Skye Craig to pitch the tropical fruit's properties.
According to Choice magazine, Australians spend more than $250 million a year on cold cough and flu remedies.
Ms Craig, who's working with Tropical Pineapples to promote the Queensland grown product, says she prefers fresh food rich in natural Vitamin C to popping a pill.
"I prefer to look at preventative measures in terms of taking care of your body," she said.
"One cup of fresh pineapple gives you 100 per cent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C, so for me that's certainly a preference - and that's the way I like to live my life.
"I really believe that with the right amount of fresh healthy food plus rest and exercise your immune system becomes really strong and you don't need to go to the pharmacy as much."
The MasterChef contestant said pineapples could be used creatively, such as in puddings with coconut sorbet, or on kebabs.
Joe Craggs, from Tropical Pineapples, said there's a bumper crop of King of Fruit pineapples this winter, but many people did not realise this type was grown specifically for this time of year.
"I think that's one of the big confusions in the market, as people have traditionally not eaten so much pineapple in winter because in years gone by it may not have been so sweet," he said.
"But these are just as good as any other time of year, if not better."
Front page
RSS Feed