In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers first encountered pineapples. Pedro de Magalhães de Gândavo described its flavor as unrivaled by any fruit in Portugal. Fast forward to the mid-19th century. Pineapples were introduced to the Azores, initially as ornamental plants in wealthy households. José Bensaúde, the first pineapple cultivator in the Azores, began experimenting with growing pineapples in greenhouses and pots. With citrus crops affected by disease, farmers sought new export products. Pineapples filled this gap, with the first export occurring on November 12, 1864. Enthusiasm grew, and greenhouses were built across São Miguel, including Ponta Delgada, Fajã de Baixo, and Vila Franca do Campo. By 1874, Azorean pineapples gained recognition in English markets for their superior quality. In 1913, pineapples were exported to England, Germany, and Russia, with about 2 million pineapples producing revenue of 200,000 pounds. World Wars I and II severely impacted exports. Despite attempts to find new markets, the industry never fully recovered due to high production and export costs. Today, pineapple cultivation in the Azores remains a unique part of its agricultural heritage, though on a smaller scale than its heyday.