Message from Maggie:  A friend recently told me that she doesn’t buy pineapples because cutting them is intimidating! Before I get to that, here is a quick tutorial on how to pick the perfect pineapple.

Instructions:

1. Smell: Smell the pineapple from the bottom.  You are pursuing a sweet and fresh scent.
2. See: Choose a pineapple that is golden on the bottom.  Some green on the sides is okay but don’t choose one that is totally green.
3. Feel: Press on the pineapple- it should be firm, but give a little to pressure.
4. Check the crown: Pull at one of the middle leaves- it should be relatively easy to remove.