Pineapple mania
18th to 19th century horticultural movement / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pineapple mania, also known as pineapple fever, was a period of intense fascination with pineapples in Europe that spanned approximately 150 years, from the early 18th century to the mid-to-late-19th century. The craze was ignited by the introduction of pineapples from the New World, captivating European royals and horticulturalists who sought to cultivate the exotic fruit. The difficulty of growing pineapples in colder climates contributed to their scarcity and exorbitant cost, establishing them as symbols of great wealth, power, and status. Unlike most fruits known at the time, which had representation in extensive bodies of knowledge and literature dating back to antiquity, the pineapple was entirely novel, inspiring imaginative and fantastical representations in popular culture. This perception influenced cuisine, decorative arts, architecture, philosophy, and technology in Europe and the newly formed United States.