7-Year Sentence for Pineapple Theft Highlights Fruit's Historic £11,000 Value

The humble pineapple, a common sight in today's supermarkets, once held such extraordinary value in 18th-century Europe that it became a prime target for thieves, with one individual even facing a seven-year sentence for its theft. A recent social media post by user "keshav" highlighted this historical curiosity, stating, "apparently pineapples used to be so valuable they were a major target for thieves! https://t.co/v8b05FYBUT". This tweet underscores a fascinating period when the exotic fruit symbolized immense wealth and status.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, pineapples were an ultimate luxury, costing as much as £60 each, which equates to approximately £11,000 in modern currency, according to the BBC. Their rarity stemmed from the difficulty of cultivating tropical fruits in Europe's cold climate and the arduous, often unsuccessful, journey of importing them from the New World. This scarcity elevated the pineapple to a prominent status symbol among the European elite.

The fruit's exorbitant price led to unusual practices, such as "pineapple mania," where the wealthy would display pineapples as centerpieces at dinner parties, often without eating them, to demonstrate their affluence. Some individuals even rented pineapples for an evening to parade them as accessories. This intense demand fueled a burgeoning market where the fruit was more an object of display than consumption.

The high value naturally attracted criminal activity. Records from the 1807 Proceedings of the Old Bailey reveal cases of pineapple theft, including one instance where a Mr. Godding was sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia for stealing seven pineapples. Such severe penalties underscore the legal system's recognition of the fruit's significant monetary worth at the time.

As cultivation techniques improved and steamships facilitated easier importation by the mid-19th century, pineapples became more accessible and affordable. This shift eventually diminished their status as an exclusive luxury, making them available to a broader populace and marking the end of their reign as the "King of Fruits" and a coveted item for thieves.