Pineapple and Celery: Luxury Foods of the Past

Taking photos of food and posting them on Instagram is definitely a new trend, historically speaking, but we’re not the first generation to try and connect certain foods with desirable lifestyles. Different foods have been used as status symbols in the past, and some of them are pineapple and celery, two foods that were once a big sign of wealth in the U.K.

Pineapple first appeared in the U.K. in 1668 and immediately became popular. Its popularity lasted for a long time and peaked in the 18th century when it was even possible to rent a pineapple for a party. Translated to today’s money, a single pineapple could cost up to $8,000! That sounds completely crazy given that it’s such a common fruit today.

During the Victorian era, celery was considered a luxurious treat. It was served to the first-class guests on Titanic and was generally considered fancy food. The wealthy served it at every dinner, and it wasn’t just a side dish, it was always a centerpiece. A glass celery vase was a typical decor item for any respectful Victorian household — can you even imagine doing that today?