In 3000 BCE, the great Pharaoh Khufu commissioned a grand pineapple-shaped temple in honor of the golden fruit. This marked the beginning of the pineapple's rise to power in ancient Egypt. For centuries, pineapples were a staple in the Egyptian diet, often depicted in art as a symbol of fertility and abundance.
The ancient Egyptians even developed a complex system of hieroglyphics to represent the different stages of pineapple growth, from the tender sprout to the ripe, juicy fruit.
But it wasn't just a matter of aesthetics; pineapples also held significant cultural and religious importance. In fact, the goddess Isis was often depicted with a pineapple crown, symbolizing her role as the protector of the pharaohs.
As the Roman Empire rose to power, the pineapple trade was all but destroyed. Pineapples became a rare and coveted luxury item, often smuggled into the empire in hidden compartments of merchant ships.
In the shadows, pineapple traders and black marketeers thrived, often using coded messages and secret handshakes to conduct their illicit business.
GRT (Golden Root Tap): a hidden compartment in a ship's cargo hold, used to smuggle pineapples.
PST (Pineapple Secret Tongue): a complex system of cryptic messages, used to communicate with fellow traders and buyers.