The Pineapple That Took 15 Years To Perfect Is Finally Coming To Stores

From the caramelized rings found on pineapple upside-down cake (a very underrated dessert, in my humble opinion) to the effervescent and fabulously funky flavors found in tepache, a fermented pineapple beverage from Mexico, there are so many ways to enjoy the scaly, sweet fruit. Baked, grilled, fermented, stir-fried, or fresh, pineapple is a versatile fruit that can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. It’s a key component of teriyaki sauce, tacos al pastor, and piña coladas. Speaking of piña coladas, is it just us, or did the tropical cocktail single-handedly prove that pineapple and coconut were made for each other?

Perhaps no one believes in this pairing more than Dole. The produce giant has been trying to create a piña colada-inspired pineapple for over a decade—and now, it’s finally achieved it.

Dole Debuts New Colada Royale Pineapple 

Dole needs no introduction. The Irish-American brand is one of the world’s largest producers of fruit and vegetables. Now, after more than 15 years of research and development—and just in time for the brand’s 125th anniversary with the pineapple—Dole has successfully introduced a new, non-GMO pineapple variety through methods of “conventional breeding,” according to the brand’s website. Introducing the all-new Colada Royale pineapple.

True to its name, the new variety was developed to embody the taste and aroma of a piña colada. The research project was led by Dr. Roberto Young, Dole’s director of natural pineapple breeding in La Ceiba, Honduras, which is also home to the company’s largest farm in Latin America.

“I’m proud of my work at Dole and being able to help bring a pineapple like the Colada Royale to the world,” said Young in a press release. “As a pineapple breeder, I do much of my work quietly since it can take 10, 12 or even 15 years to create a new hybrid through natural processes—and only a very small percentage of the thousands we try ever make it to market. So, the Colada Royale is special.”

If you’re wondering whether the new Colada Royale tastes like a tropical vacation in a fruit, then you’re in luck. According to Dole, the new variety contains all the tanginess and sweetness you’d typically find in a common pineapple, except it’s juicier, lighter in color, and slightly more delicate, with subtle notes of creamy coconut and vanilla. Despite its beige hue, the new variety is bolder and more flavorful, offering shoppers a novel and unique fruit that stands out from the regular yellow pineapple. It also has a smaller core, which means more of the fruit is edible, thereby minimizing food waste.

The new Colada Royale Pineapple debuted at this year’s International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, and will roll out to major grocery stores nationwide in October. A percentage of Colada Royale proceeds will go towards building a new community center for farm workers and their families in La Ceiba.

Whether you’re looking for a bright new snack to carry you through the dark days of winter or just can’t resist a piña colada, keep your eyes peeled for the new Colada Royale pineapple. If its trajectory is anything like that of its golden yellow counterpart, something tells us it’s bound to become a household name.