A Piña Colada-Flavored Pineapple With Added Nutritional Benefits? Count Us In

It might be winter in the northern hemisphere, but many of us are already dreaming of summer 2026. We’re thinking about beach days, barbecues, vacations, and sipping cocktails with friends during warm evenings. If you can’t wait a few months, though, Dole has an idea for you: why not enjoy a pineapple that tastes just like a piña colada while you dream of days in the sun?

It’s more than just an idea—it’s a reality. The global fresh produce company has created its own Colada Royale pineapple. The GMO-free fruit was developed over the course of 15 years in Honduras and is said to taste just like the summery cocktail, with hints of coconut and banana.

Dole

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Those who have tried it say it’s incredibly juicy and flavorful. “It had the flavor of the ripest and juiciest pineapple I’d ever tasted, but with undertones of coconut and possibly a little banana or another tropical fruit I couldn’t quite identify but absolutely loved,” wrote Good Housekeeping reporter Alyse Whitney.

Laurel Randolph of Simply Recipes even declared it potentially “the best pineapple I’ve ever eaten.” She added: “My husband agreed, and he loves pineapple. It still has a wonderful pineapple flavor, with extra tropical notes and a lovely sweetness.”

Is the Colada Royale pineapple healthy?

Pineapple is packed with nutrients. Just one cup contains nearly 90 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, along with vitamin B6, copper, potassium, magnesium, and iron. It’s also rich in antioxidants, fiber, digestive enzymes, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

In other words, it’s a healthy addition to your diet. But how does the Colada Royale stack up? Pretty well, it turns out.

Dole

According to Dole, the new pineapple variety offers all the same nutritional benefits as traditional pineapple, with one added bonus: it contains two-and-a-half times more vitamin B6. This boost is the result of careful cross-pollination carried out over many years. The fruit was developed by Roberto Young, PhD, a Honduran native and expert in plant breeding and crop and soil sciences.

“As a pineapple breeder, I do much of my work quietly since it can take 10, 12, or even 15 years to create a new hybrid through natural processes – and only a very small percentage of the thousands we try ever make it to market,” he said in a statement. “The Colada Royale is special. It will be my legacy.”

The Colada Royale pineapple is currently available at grocery stores across North America.