Vazhakulam pineapple belongs to Queen Cultivar suited for table purpose and cultivated from Vazhakulam in Ernakulam District, Kerala. This fruit is locally known as 'Kannarachakka' and comes under the species Ananas Comosus. Vazhakulam pineapple surpasses all other pineapples grown from India owing to its characteristics such as delicious taste and unique aroma and flavour.
The average fruit weight is 1300-1600gms. The fruit is having a pleasant aroma, have a slightly conical shape, fruit ‘eyes’ deeply placed, fruit flesh is crisp and golden yellow in colour, juice is sweet. It is a good source of carotene, vitamins minerals and energy.
Image credit: vazhakulampineapple.in
Pineapple cultivation in Kerala is not recorded properly. It is believed that Pineapple cultivation started due to Portuguese voyagers since 1548. In Kerala pineapple is grown mainly as an intercrop in rubber and coconut, and also as pure crop in garden land and in converted paddy fields.
Pineapple fruits are produced round the year in Kerala. Vazhakulam Pineapple cultivation is spread across 116 Grama Panchayats apart from Vazhakulam in Ernakulam District, Idukki District, Kottayam District and Pathanamthitta District.
Due to the unique and complex combination of agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the region, pineapple produced are having distinctive and naturally occurring characteristics, which have won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers all over Kerala, India and world. If it is grown in some other regions the characteristic qualities get diluted and affect the keeping quality.
Due to Low pest and disease incidence, less chemical pesticides are used. Farmers are following cultivation practices as per FLO Standards which does not permit the use of chemical pesticides banned by World Health Organization. This indicates that Vazhakulam pineapples are almost free from Hazardous chemicals.
The pineapple cultivated by the farmers of Vazhakulam is the sweetest pineapple available in India. Hence Vazhakulam is also known as the city of Pineapple. Mauritius is the main variety cultivated in Kerala and Kew variety is rarely grown.
The juice of pineapple fruit is considered as a ‘health drink’ that contains several vitamins, minerals and medicinal properties. Pineapple is the only source of bromelain, a complex proteolytic enzyme used in pharmaceuticals and as a meat-tenderising agent. The stem of the plant can be used for bromelain and starch extraction.
Its fibrous leaves are used in some countries for paper and cloth making and to make silage for cattle feed. The fruit processing wastes such as peel, core and centrifuged solids from juice production can be used as cattle feed, biogas production and compost making. Wine can be made from fruit juice.
GI Tag Registration Date : 04 September 2009
GI Tag Number : 130 & 141
Certificate Number : 112
Geographical Area : Kerala
Special Cover Release Date : 19 February 2022
Cancellation : Vazhakulam 686 670
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : KL-5/2022
Enlarged View of Illustration
Enlarged View of Cancellation
Back Side Scan
India post has also issued commemorative postage stamps on Vazhakulam Pineapple. Details of the same is furnished below.
No comments:
Post a Comment