1 ripe pineapple, peeled, core removed, chopped into 8 equal-sized pieces
4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
200²µ/7¼´Ç³ú caster sugar
1 cinnamon stick, broken
10 fennel seeds
8 black peppercorns, left whole
small pinch saffron strands
3 star anise
good quality vanilla ice cream, to serve (optional)