Pineapple!

In Costa Rica, pineapple is eaten often. In my Tica house, pineapple is primarily served raw at breakfast with other fruits such as mango or watermelon. However, I have seen it in stores as a fruit filling in pastries, similar to the way the apple is in the US. At McDonald's, they don't have apple pie, rather it is filled with pineapple filling. Pineapple flavored things are normally eaten at breakfast, but sometimes pineapple-flavored things are eaten at dessert. Pineapple is also consumed in batidos, rebandas, and Hawaiian pizza, which is very popular here. If I had to compare it to a fruit in the US, I would compare it to apples because it is very popular and consumed in many forms. 

Currently there are two different kinds of pineapple being sold. These are the white and yellow pineapples. The white pineapples are sweeter, but the yellow ones are more common and consequently cheaper. So far, I have only seen yellow pineapple served in my house, but it is still significantly better than any pineapple (white or yellow) than I have ever had in the United States. 

Pineapple is important to Costa Rica economically. Ticans realize that it is a major export and are happy that it can help their country. However, when talking to a younger Tican, he said that cultivating pineapple has had a serious negative effect on the environment. He didn't go into detail, but he seemed very annoyed about it. Other than the effect on the environment, he really does believe that the pineapple is a good thing for Costa Rica. 

To Ticans, the pineapple symbolizes an economic export. They do not have the same sentiments connected to the pineapple as they do to coffee or bananas. Pineapple did not put Costa Rica on the map and does not bring tourists to Costa Rica. However, they do seem to understand and believe that it is important for the economy. Beyond that, many Ticans today do not see any symbolism in the pineapple. 

PHOTO:  Take photos of pineapples and/or some food with pineapple in it.  Also, observe pineapple in its many forms, particularly in the supermarket.  What sort of foods have pineapple or pineapple flavor in Costa Rica as compare to the U.S.?

From what I have seen in Mas por Menos and AM/PM, pineapple flavors are prominent in candies, pastries, and juices. As I stated earlier, the food that I compare most to the pineapple is the apple in the United States. The apple is also very prominent in New York so it is a staple there and therefore more common than other fruits.