Lakpura® Dehydrated Pineapple Slices are rings of Sri Lankan pineapple dried whole, so each one keeps the fruit's familiar shape, from the scalloped outer edge to the pale core in the middle. They come sealed flat in a clear 100g pouch, and you can see the golden-yellow slices through the film before you open it.
The fruit is Ananas comosus, and the ingredients panel names the pineapple slices as the only ingredient. Drying concentrates the flavour into something tangy and sweet at once, with a chewy texture that sits somewhere between fresh fruit and a sweet.
Most people eat them straight from the pack or mix them into a trail mix, but they are just as useful in the kitchen. Chop them into cakes, cupcakes and other baking, scatter them over fruit salad or yoghurt with granola, or use them in tropical dishes and stews. A whole ring also makes a bright garnish for cocktails, mocktails and smoothies.
They can go into a cup, too. For pineapple tea, the pack suggests simmering one or two slices in boiled water for five to seven minutes, straining, and adding honey or sugar if you like. The slices also lend a tropical note to infused water.
The slices are produced by Lakpura Solutions in Moratuwa and packed and shipped from Sri Lanka. Keep the pouch in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as the label advises.
