QuickCheck: Was the pineapple once a symbol of wealth in Great Britain?

Pineapple is a fruit eaten all over the world. It can be found in various foods, from sweet desserts to savoury pizzas. Whether you like it or hate it, it is generally widely available and affordable.

However, it has also been claimed that pineapples were once so expensive that people rented the fruit to show off at parties and carry it as a status symbol in Great Britain.