Tipsy Cake (c.1858) Extract from Historic Heston: “Ironically, it was also developments in technology that finished off the home-grown pineapple. In 1864, orange groves in the Azores succumbed to disease and the plantation owners started producing pineapples instead. The Azores were much nearer to Britain than the West Indies, and by using modern steamships for transportation, the fruit could be brought over in just a few days. Within twenty years, they were the principal exporter of the fruit to Britain. Freshness had always been the edge that the home-grown pineapple had over its tropical rivals, but once this was removed it could no longer compete, particularly since the beneficial climate and conditions on islands like the Azores meant pineapples could easily be produced on an industrial scale, making them far cheaper. As they became common, pineapples came to seem commonplace. The fruit lost the sense of wonder that had once surrounded it. As if to confirm this, Netscher's portrait of the very first pineapple ever to be grown in Britain now hangs in an awkward space high above a doorway in the Fitzwilliam Museum, largely ignored by visitors as they pass by.” Heston Blumenthal OBE 🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍 #hestonblumenthalteam #heston #hestonblumenthal #dinnerbyheston #dinnerbyhestonblumenthal #dbhb #michelin #michelinguide #michelinstar #michelinrestaurant #michelinchef #michelinstars #photography #ukphotography #photooftheday #instagood #thefatduck #pineapple #londonlife #londonfood #cheflife #chefsofinstagram #hospitality #50bestrestaurants #foodporn #foodie #foodphotography #foodlove #foodphoto #foodinsta Photography by @dimitri.andreas.photography