The article gives a brief description of the most popular tropical fruits from around the world.
Longan ("dragon's eye")
The small beige longan fruits have a thin, rough skin. The pulp is milky white, pleasant and refreshing in taste. There is a shiny brown seed inside.
The appearance is similar to a large green orange. The peel is thick. The core is orange, more or less saturated in color. The taste is reminiscent of grapefruit, but sweeter, without bitterness.
Tender, fresh in taste, milky cream The core of the lychee is covered on top with a rough, reddish skin. There is a bone inside that can be eaten. The size of the fruit is 2.5-4 cm.
A bright red, plum-shaped fruit. The pulp is juicy, yellow-orange. There is a small flat bone inside. The skin is not eaten, but is cut off in a thin layer. Sweet, but not cloying, quite dense in consistency.
A sweet and sour fruit the size of a walnut. Grows in clusters on trees. The outer beige skin is peeled off. Inside there are slices of milky pulp that are eaten.
Miniature copy of an orange. The fruit can be eaten fresh, whole (along with the skin), or in the form of marmalade, jams, or added to tea. Rich in vitamins. It is highly valued as a folk medicine.
It has the shape of a bell. The structure is reminiscent of an apple: thin skin in red tones and dense, crispy light flesh. The taste and aroma is similar to rose.
The unique smell and taste of coconut is recognizable in every corner of the world. In Thailand, coconut is often used to quench thirst: a hole is made in the upper part of the fruit into which a straw is inserted. Coconut milk has a delicate and light taste. Fresh coconuts themselves are green on the outside and the usual white on the inside.
It is important to eat this juicy exotic fruit when ripe. Pineapple has thick brown skin and bright yellow flesh. The shape is oval, with a small bunch of hard leaves at the top. In Thailand it is eaten with salt.
A very controversial fruit. It has excellent taste, but an intolerable aroma. The tender pulp is located in the core of the round, spiky fruit. Gourmets claim that if, despite the unappetizing smell of either gasoline or rotting food, you still try an unusual fruit, you will not be able to think about anything else.
A huge fruit weighing up to 50 kg is the “progenitor” of Juicy Fruit chewing gum produced by the Wrigley company. The pulp of jackfruit consists of pieces that look like yellow bell peppers. The top of the fruit is covered with thick green-brown peel. The taste is sweet, the fibers are slippery and juicy. It is eaten raw or cooked.
There are two types: golden passion fruit and the so-called “passion fruit” with purple-violet peel, which is considered slightly poisonous. The pulp is jelly-like, with many seeds, and has a sweet and sour taste.
A small fruit covered on top with a dense, smooth peel of rich eggplant color. The white core of the fruit, consisting of segments, like a tangerine, is eaten. Taste sour-sweet, nice.
The fruits of the plant are small, up to 6 cm, round. The top is covered with a bright crimson peel with long shoots curved towards the end. The pulp is milky, juicy, fresh. The taste is similar to sweet white grapes.
Pitahaya (in Russian version “Eye of the Dragon”)
The fruit resembles kiwi in taste, but not in appearance. Thick, dragon scale-like skin of rich pink-raspberry The color is hidden by white flesh, with many tiny black seeds.
The juicy and sweet floral flavor of carambola and its unusual star shape make the fruit unique. Ripe fruits are yellow in color and are eaten whole.
Cherimoya (noina)
A fruit with a green, thick and lumpy inedible skin. The inside is sweet, with many hard seeds, similar to beans. Ripe fruits are soft, easy to cut or even break in half.
Exotic berries of Thailand: names, photos, description for the game
Jujube (jujube)
The berries have a round, oblong shape. The skin color is greenish, turning into red-brown. The core is white, dense. There is a hard bone inside. It tastes like an apple.
The structure of papaya is similar to melon. Thin but rough skin, juicy pulp and a cluster of black seeds in the core. The taste is peculiar, sweet. Echoes the taste of pumpkin and carrots.
Watermelon, not exotic for our latitudes, can surprise you in Thailand. Here it is not only the usual red, but also orange and yellow. There is a seedless variety.
Goji berry, which has become incredibly popular due to its healing properties bright coral colors, slightly elongated. It is consumed mainly in dried form. When fresh, the fruits can cause stomach upsets.
The small green berries are somewhat reminiscent of unripe plums in appearance. The skin is thin and edible. There is a dark green seed inside. They grow on trees, directly on the bark. They are believed to have unique anti-aging properties. Contains a large amount of vitamin C.
Popular tropical fruit from South America
Fruit of the Brazilian palm. Externally it resembles blueberries. It is consumed in the form of juices, purees, and as an additive to muesli. The taste is similar to grapes.
The fruit is the size of a large apple. The peel is lumpy, rough, green. The pulp may be yellow or reddish in color. The taste depends on the variety: from sweet to sour.
A distant relative of the familiar tomatoes. Oblong shape, orange and red shades. The skin has an unpleasant aftertaste, so it must be removed before eating. The taste is similar to tomato, but with hints of passion fruit.
Small physalis fruits are located inside a box of dry leaves. A bit like a big one yellow cherries. The taste is juicy and sweet.
Cashew fruits, which in our latitudes are mistakenly considered nuts, consist not only of dense seeds. Part of this fruit is juicy and sweet in taste. Externally, the cashew fruit resembles a pepper pod red-orange colors.
oblong fruit creamy-greenish shade with purple longitudinal stripes. The pit is inedible. They eat the juicy, melon-like pulp.
Large, up to 30 cm in diameter, breadfruit fruits are similar in shape to melons. The peel is green, hard, with small tubercles. The core is creamy yellow, sticky, and sweetish in taste. It is most often used in cooked form, but can be eaten raw.
Tropical fruits photos, names, descriptions
Snake fruit (salak)
The fruit is drop-shaped and the size of a medium pear. The skin resembles snake scales and is a shiny brown color. Easy to clean. The pulp is white. Different varieties taste may vary.
Tamarind (Indian date)
The fruits of the plant are often called “pod fruit”. Externally, the fruits resemble light brown beans. Sauces and mousses are prepared from the seeds inside the pod. They can also be eaten raw. The taste is sweet and pleasant.
Children's fantasies about chocolates growing on trees have a basis in reality. The fruits from which chocolate is obtained grow on the trunks of tropical trees. Outwardly they resemble a very elongated pumpkin. Depending on the variety and degree of ripening, they may be yellowish or red.
Sapodilla
A fruit whose pulp structure resembles a persimmon. When unripe, it knits. Round, covered with brown skin on top. The pulp is dark, with small, easily separated seeds.
Sirsak (soursop)
Large, up to 7 kg, fruits. The outside is covered with a greenish, dense and rough peel. The pulp is white, airy, with a pleasant taste of strawberry and lemon.
Video: 10 RARE EXOTIC FRUITS
We invite you to meet ten exotic fruits, popular in the world, but practically unknown here.
Akebia
You can find this unusual lilac-purple fruit in gardens in northern Japan. Many local residents grow it on their plots like our wild grapes, entwining the supports with a thick carpet of leaves. When the akebia fruit reaches maturity, one of its walls “opens.” This happens only once a year - at the very beginning of autumn. The sticky, slightly sweet flesh is eaten like a fruit, while the thick, bitter peel is more reminiscent of some kind of vegetable. However, the Japanese, without sharing these tastes, eat the whole akebia.
Cherimoya
You may have seen these green balls, freed from hard skin, on the shelves of Spanish or Asian markets, and in Egypt, the unpeeled, slightly smaller fruits are sold under the name “eshta”. Cutting into the fruit reveals a few dark seeds that are best removed (because they are considered an excellent emetic), while the flavor of the tender, aromatic pulp (which reminds some of creamed melon, others of papaya) is commendable. For example, Mark Twain called cherimoya “the most delicious fruit known to man.”
Cupuacu
The large (up to 25 centimeters long!) cupuaçu fruit can be found in the tropical rainforests of Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Northern Brazil. It grows on trees and when ripe turns red-brown in color. Beneath the hard shell is a soft, chocolate-pineapple-smelling pulp that is eaten raw, made into jams and drinks, and added to yoghurts and ice cream. From light seeds, similar to cocoa grains, you can make “chocolate” that will not melt in your hands.
Aki
This relative of the lychee was born in the tropical forests of West Africa, where its green fruits are traditionally used as a soap substitute, and then spread throughout the world. Aki made his most successful “career” in Jamaica, where they even began to prepare one of his national dishes, despite the fact that the fruit is poisonous and can only be eaten after boiling it in boiling water for at least 10 minutes. It's worth the risk because ackee contains a ton of beneficial nutrients and fatty acids.
Annato
In the tropical regions of North and South America, as well as in Southeast Asia, large red-brown spiny fruits with round crimson seeds inside can be found on trees. It’s hard to say what they taste like, because, unlike other fruits we’re talking about today, annatto is inedible. But its bright ruby seeds are magnificent food coloring, which you've probably seen in everything from lipstick to cheddar cheese.
Kiwano
Kiwano, sometimes called African cucumber and horned melon, has long been native not only to its native Africa, but also to California, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. It looks strange: the outside of the fruit is covered with an orange peel with spikes, and when you cut it, you will see green pulp with whitish seeds inside. The taste reminds many of a cucumber crossed with zucchini and banana. You can eat kiwano raw or add it to milkshakes and other drinks. It will especially appeal to ladies who are always on a diet, because, like cucumbers, it has almost no calories.
Yangmei
Next on our list is Chinese strawberry or yangmei. It grows primarily in China, and is therefore also called the Chinese strawberry tree. Its fruits are juicy and sweet and have a rather specific taste.
Yangmei is an excellent antioxidant. Juices and fruit salads are made from Miriki fruits. When dried, Yangmei resembles a fleshy, slightly sour raisin.
Azimina
Paw paw or paw paw or paw paw is a close relative of papaya, this plant is also called Indian banana, Hoosier banana, poor man's banana, Indiana banana, and in Australia these exotic fruits are called tropical papaya. Pawpaw is a very healthy exotic fruit. In the pawpaw berry more calories than in apple, grape and peach. The exotic fruit of the pawpaw contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Pawpaw seeds are toxic, have a narcotic effect, cause nausea and vomiting. Pawpaw crushed seeds remove hair lice. Ripe pawpaw is eaten only fresh. Exotics can only be stored frozen or canned. Pawpaw fruits are very aromatic, the taste resembles a mixture of banana, pineapple and mango. Fresh and juicy pawpaw fruit perfectly tones and saturates. The juice and pulp of pawpaws are used in making cocktails, baby food, and desserts. Wherever bananas can be used in cooking, pawpaw is also used.
Annona
Sugar apple is cultivated in the countries of South and Central America: India, Indonesia, countries of tropical Africa, the Philippines, Australia, and Polynesia. Annona is a popular delicacy in the Antilles and Southern China.
Inside the fruit there is white, fibrous, creamy, fragrant, juicy, sweet pulp and from 20 to 60 black shiny seeds. Before consumption, the rough skin of the fruit is usually opened, then the pulp segments are eaten and the hard seeds are spat out. Opening a ripe sugar apple is very easy: either break it in half or open the skin flakes. The ripe fruit can be eaten with a spoon, after cutting the fruit in half. When ripe, the fruits become very soft, the skin becomes thin, so ripe fruits can be easily damaged. The overripe noina fruit opens, revealing sprouted seeds. Noina pulp is used to make desserts and soft drinks. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, amino acids and calcium. In Lanta (Thailand), Annona is sold very ripe and large (300-350 grams), for 60-80 baht/kg. The harvest season is from June to September.
Snake fruit Salak
The homeland of the exotic is Indonesia, Malaysia and Sumatra.
Salak received the name “snake fruit” due to its scaly skin of red (rakum) or brown (salak) color; oval, oblong or pear-shaped. Each scale of the fruit ends with a spine. The thorns are often cleaned off before sale.
The “snake” skin of Salak can be easily removed with a knife. The beige-colored pulp has several segments, inside there are one or more inedible brown seeds. The taste of the tropical fruit is pleasant, refreshing, reminiscent of a mixture of pineapple and banana with the addition of nuts. Unripe fruits have a viscous taste. Oblong or round fruits of small size (about 5 cm in length) of red (Rakum) or brown (Salak) color, covered with dense small spines.
Salak is harvested from April to June. This delicious fruit is grown in Thailand all year round, but the most delicious Salak ripens in June-August. Salak costs from 30 baht/kg in season.
Monstera Delicatessen
There are 30 species of monstera in nature.
Small monstera flowers form inflorescences - a spadix, which is wrapped in a large light green leaf. The large inflorescence of Monstera resembles spathiphyllum in shape. Monstera deliciosa has purple fruit. The core of the fruit ripens 10-12 months from the beginning of flowering. Despite the pungent odor, the core tastes like a mixture of banana and pineapple. The delicious, long-awaited fruit is a real delicacy. However, unripe monstera fruit can burn your mouth.
Sapodilla (Chiku)
Sapodilla (sapodilla, chicu) is common in Guatemala, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, the Yucatan Peninsula, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Jamaica, El Salvador, Cuba. Various varieties of Chiku are cultivated in Thailand and India.
This exotic fruit looks like kiwi or brown lemon. The taste of Sapodilla is like sweet honey, quite sugary - it is a mixture of the flavors of persimmon, figs, and dates. The pulp is light to dark brown. Inside there are elongated black seeds that are very easily separated from the pulp. Sapolilla is not very easy to clean, even if it is absolutely ripe. Ripe Sapodilla is distinguished by its softness; the softer it is, the more ripe the exotic fruit will be.
In Thailand, Sapodilla is harvested all year round. Philippine Sapodilla differs from Thai Sapodilla both in appearance and taste. They are larger, and not elongated, but rounder, and the color is lighter than the Thai ones. There is a pear note in the taste. The sapodilla tree is also grown to produce milky juice - latex, from which chewing gum (chicle) is made in Mexico. After eating a medium-ripe fruit, latex may remain on the lips.
The unripe fruits are rich in tannin and are used as a remedy for diarrhea. A decoction of the bark has an antipyretic and antidysenteric agent. Liquid extract of crushed seeds is a sedative. Chika is eaten fresh, put into pies, stewed with ginger and lime juice, and fermented into wine.
Mammea americana (American apricot)
Mammea americana is an evergreen tree native to South America and artificially planted in other regions of the world, including West Africa and Southeast Asia. American apricots are actually berries that are about 20 cm in diameter. The berry has a thick outer skin and soft orange pulp inside, usually there is one large seed in the center, however, large berries have about 4. The pulp is sweet and fragrant.
Platonia is wonderful
Platonia is a large tree (reaching a height of up to 40 meters) growing in the tropical forests of Brazil and Paraguay. The fruit grows to the size of an orange, and when pressed, a yellow liquid begins to ooze from it. Inside the fruit there is white pulp enveloping several black seeds, which has a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
Dacriodes edible (African pear)
A woody plant growing in the equatorial tropics of Africa. The fruits are shaped like eggplants, but are tiny in size. The analogies are the same with color. Inside is pale flesh, rich in fat. Currently also grown in Malaysia.
Marula (Sclerocaria ethiopica)
Distributed in southern and western Africa. It has a very thin skin and white juicy pulp, very rich in vitamin C. Much more than most citrus fruits. Disadvantage: it smells like turpentine.
Kaimito (chrysophyllum or star apple)
Central America is considered to be the birthplace of the star apple. Widely found in West Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. The very juicy, sweet white flesh is hidden by a shiny bluish-brown or green skin. A cross section shows a star made of seed cells inside.
Bunkhosia silver
Silver bunchosia is a close relative of the Barbados cherry. Although the flesh inside is not so juicy, it is very sweet, reminiscent of dried figs in taste with a hint of peanut butter. They eat it fresh and make jelly and jam. Especially paired with a milkshake. Grows in Central and South America.
Sweet pitaya
Sweet pitaya is a relative of the cactus. The flesh is slightly fresh. It tastes best chilled. Grows in tropical America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Oceania. Overeating can be fraught with incidents.
When traveling abroad, especially in warm countries, a Russian tourist encounters completely unknown fruits that he has never seen before. I, too, often don’t even believe my eyes what wonders of nature can be found on fruit stands. And so, in order not to bulge my eyes out of surprise next time at the sight of another amazing fruit, I decided to make a list for myself of what you can buy and try in foreign countries.
But I had no idea how much I would have to type! It turns out that there are so many exotic fruits on our wonderful planet that, most likely, few people will be able to try them all in their lifetime. So now on my list 85 exotic fruits , and these are not just photos with names, but descriptions and interesting information. I definitely plan to update it periodically, so if you want to learn about all the fruits, check back from time to time!
In addition to the name and common synonyms, for each fruit there is also a description of its appearance, a photograph and, if possible, the taste qualities are characterized in comparison with the tastes known to most people. Because I tried ( as it turned out) is only a small part, then I will talk about the taste of many exotic fruits based on reviews of the lucky ones who actually ate them, and, in many cases, I had to look for information on the bourgeois Internet.
I immediately warn botany experts that in the article the concepts are given at an everyday, understandable level. That is, there is no need to be indignant that in science the concept “ fruit" is absent, but there is only a general term " fetus" Here, by “fruit” I will mean delicacies that grow on trees, bushes or vines, usually sweet or sour-sweet, which can be bitten several times before it is finally eaten. And we will consider “berries” to be small fruits that can be eaten whole in one bite or even eaten by a handful and do not need to be peeled.
By the way, the article does not only cover tropical fruits, because even a representative of temperate latitudes can easily turn out to be exotic.
For ease of navigation through our very voluminous article, use the alphabetical index:
Abakashi(Abacaxi) is mainly grown in Brazil. Most readers, looking at a photo of the fruit, will say that it’s just a pineapple and it’s no longer exotic. But there is no need to rush! Yes, "abakashi" ( word from the Tupi-Guarani Indian language) is one of the varieties of this prickly fruit, but it is called differently for a reason. Strictly speaking, in Portuguese " abacaxi" And " pineapple" - these are synonyms, but with this second, familiar word, they mean a fruit familiar to us. At the same time, in markets in Brazil and Portugal, people prefer to buy “abakashi”, which many consider to be a separate fruit altogether.
Abakashi is rounder, yellower, sweeter, juicier than a regular pineapple ( translated from the words of the Portuguese and Brazilians) and its price is higher. I repeat, this information was taken from the “natives”, that is, from people who know the differences not in theory, but in practice, but for some reason in some articles you will find the opposite statement that abakashi is larger than a pineapple and has an elongated shape...
Like other types of pineapples, abakashi is rich in sucrose, vitamin C, minerals ( potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine), it contains B vitamins and provitamin A.
With your permission, I won’t add a simple, familiar pineapple to the article; we’ll make do with the more exotic abakashi.
Avara(Avarra, Tucum, Awara, Wara, Awarra, Tucum, Tucumã-do-Pará). This palm tree is actively cultivated in the north of the South American continent in countries such as Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and Guiana. A tree of medium height (up to 15 meters) is notable for being covered with thorns ( both trunk and leaves) and the fruits grow in bunches.
The oval-shaped fruits are similar in size to a regular chicken egg and range in color from reddish brown to orange ( this one is more typical). The pulp is quite juicy, aromatic, its taste is most often compared to apricot, although in fact there is little pulp in them, since most of it is occupied by the pit.
Of course, the fruit contains both carbohydrates and proteins, but a particularly valuable component is fats, or rather oils with a high content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ( for example, Avara is rich in Omega 3, 6 and 9). Avar also contains a lot of vitamin A ( about three times more than carrots) and B2.
Actually, as an independent product in its raw form, avar is almost never consumed. Residents of the region where it is actively grown prefer to eat the fruits steamed as a side dish or make a kind of paste out of it, which is used as a base for other dishes. In addition, oil is extracted from Avara ( more from the seeds than from the pulp), which, due to its composition, has found application not only as ordinary palm oil, but also as a cosmetic product.
Avocado(Avocado, Perseus americana, Alligator pear). For many, it is no longer an exotic plant at all, but a very frequent guest of salads; it was included in this list simply because it was the first one that came to mind with the letter “A”. Avocados are originally from Mexico, and nowadays they are grown in almost all countries with a suitable tropical and subtropical climate. There are more than 400 varieties that have their own characteristics; I think that even true avocado connoisseurs will not be able to try them all.
The length of the avocado is up to 20 centimeters, the peel is inedible, the flesh is dense, yellow-green or greenish, with one large seed.
Ripe avocado slightly oily with a slight nutty flavor. Avocado is a favorite of nutritionists around the world due to its many beneficial properties. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, which is very useful for the prevention of many cardiovascular diseases and has a positive effect on skin health, and also helps fight insomnia.
Aguage(Aguaje, Aguaje, Ita, Buriti, Canangucho) grows in the humid tropics of South America, where it is so incredibly popular that there are concerns for the plant population. Its popularity is due to the supposedly special properties of the fruit, thanks to which girls who consume it regularly maintain a slim figure without any effort; in addition, it is believed that aguage is a strong aphrodisiac.
The oval fruits are covered with reddish-brown scales, and underneath there is yellow flesh and one large seed. The taste of aguaja is characterized as pleasant, reminiscent of... carrots. In addition to eating fresh, it is used to make juices, jams, ice cream, and interesting wine is obtained from fermented fruits.
Contains a lot of vitamins A, C, as well as phytohormones that imitate female hormones.
Azimina(Nebraska banana, Mexican banana, Asimina, banana tree, Pawpaw, Paw-paw) native to North America, more precisely from the southern states of the USA. But this amazing, seemingly heat-loving plant is able to withstand extreme cold down to −30 Celsius! And thanks to such persistence, one of the ten species is “ Pawpaw three-lobed"- grown by amateur gardeners in our country.
The fruits are collected in inflorescences of up to 8 pieces; they have an oblong oval shape and reach up to 15 cm in length and up to 7 cm in diameter. The thin skin of the fruit changes color from greenish as it ripens ( in unripe ones) to yellowish and even dark brown. The pulp is juicy, light, sweet and very aromatic, often compared to custard. Up to 10 large flat bones are hidden inside. The disadvantage of pawpaw is the poor preservation of the collected fruits, so most often they are eaten freshly picked or various jams are prepared.
Pawpaw is rich in amino acids and microelements, sucrose, vitamins A and C. The fruits do an excellent job of normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and strengthening the immune system.
Akebia quintuple (Climbing cucumber). A very exotic plant can be found in Japan, China and Korea.
The length of the oblong fruits is about 8 centimeters, they are fleshy and colored purple-violet. Outwardly, it may seem completely unattractive - an oblong fruit of a violet-lilac color with pulp falling out. But appearance is deceiving - the pulp tastes like raspberries with a very pleasant aroma.
Aki(Ackee, Bligia is delicious). This tree is native to West Africa and is now also found in Central and South America and the Caribbean islands.
Reddish pear-shaped fruits up to 10 centimeters in length. The pulp of the ripe fruit is creamy in color and tastes like walnuts with cheese.
Ambarella(Cythera apple, Otaheite-apple, Tahitian quince, Polynesian plum, Yellow plum, Spondias dulcis, Mombin sweet – not to be confused with Mombin purple). The homeland of this tree is numerous islands of the Pacific Ocean in Polynesia and Melanesia, from where the plant spread west to the tropical regions of America, as well as east to Australia, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, India and a little to Africa; later, ambarella began to be grown on the islands of the Caribbean and was brought to the tropical countries of the Atlantic coast of America.
Ambarella fruits are oval ( the shape resembles a plum, hence the pair of “aliases” of this fruit - Polynesian plum or yellow plum), not very large, from six to nine centimeters in length, grow in clusters. The skin is smooth, thin and tough; in unripe fruits it is green, in ripe ones it thickens and becomes golden-yellow, the flesh is the same color.
The pulp is fibrous, juicy, crispy, sour, and to some people the aroma and taste slightly resembles an unripe pineapple. Particular care should be taken with seeds! They are simply studded with bent spines, up to 1 centimeter long, so that sometimes they penetrate into the pulp of the fruit, and there are from 1 to 5 such “surprises” in each fruit.
Ambarella makes excellent jams, jellies, marmalade and juice, but it is best eaten raw. You can use it still green, then there will be more sourness. In addition to fruits, leaves are eaten - raw ( like a street snack) or boiled/stewed with meat/fish, as well as in soups.
Ambarella is rich in proteins and fats, supports the immune system in tone, is very beneficial for the digestive system and even promotes faster healing of wounds.
Araz(Arazza, Arazá, Araçá-boi, Amazonian Pear or Amazonian Pear; in Latin - Eugenia stipitata). At first, this heat-loving tree grew in the forests of the Amazon River basin, later the plant began to be actively cultivated in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, as well as in Central America and the Caribbean. This fruit does not tolerate transportation very well, so you will not find it outside the regions where it grows.
Fruits in diameter can be from 4 to 12 centimeters ( such large ones reach a weight of 750 grams). Their peel is yellow, thin and, depending on the variety, can be smooth or slightly velvety. The juicy, aromatic yellow pulp is very sour, so arazu is rarely eaten just like that, raw, but is actively used for compotes and jellies. Inside the fruit there are several large elongated “seeds”.
Thanks to the huge amount of vitamin C, as well as the high content of microelements (potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus) and the macronutrient zinc, araza is excellent as a general strengthening product.
Watermelon-cucumber, cucumber-watermelon – (Melotria rough, Melothria scabra, Mouse watermelon, Mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkins, Sandita, Cucamelon). A very strange subject on our list... Decide for yourself what to classify him as - a fruit or a vegetable. The external color is very reminiscent of a watermelon, and the inside has an easily recognizable cucumber texture, while the size of the fruits growing on the vine is more reminiscent of grapes: only up to 2 - 4 centimeters in length. The homeland of this strange plant is part of America from Mexico to Panama; it is not a hybrid, but an independent plant, known in pre-Columbian times. Abroad, it is better known as “Cucamelon”, which, as in Russian, is formed by adding two words: cucumber and watermelon, that is, “cucumber + watermelon”.
The skin of the fruit is thin, but quite hard, and the pulp is very juicy. The taste is described as more like a cucumber with a slight citrus sourness; those who managed to try “cucumber-watermelon” liked the taste. They can be eaten just like that, but more often they are added to salads, French fries, various salty dishes, and watermelon cucumbers are also pickled. In addition, the vine has edible tubers!
The composition is rich in lycopene ( antioxidant that improves heart function), beta-carotene ( Helps maintain healthy eyes and youthful skin), minerals and vitamins K, E, C and fiber.
Atemoya. This is a hybrid of two plants of the Annonaceae family - cherimoya and noina, and many people confuse them. Like its “parents,” Atemoya appeared in the tropics of South America.
The fruits are, conventionally, heart-shaped (up to 10 cm in length and up to 9 cm in width). The pulp of the fruit melts in the mouth like cream or ice cream, and the taste is a combination of mango and pineapple. Due to the tenderness of the flesh, it is best to eat atemoya with a spoon. There is often a statement that atemoya is the most delicious of exotic fruits. We must remember that its seeds are poisonous!
Bail(Bael, Wood apple, Egle marmalade, Stone apple, Bengal quince, Stone apple, Limonia acidissima, Feronia elephantum, Feronia limonia, Hesperethusa crenulata, Elephant apple, Monkey fruit, Curd fruit). Widely cultivated in Southeast and South Asia.
The ripe fruit is brown in color and up to 20 centimeters in diameter. Ripe pulp is brown, mushy, divided into segments by seeds. The peel of the fruit is very hard, without a hard and heavy object at hand it will not be possible to get to the pulp (that’s why one of the names is “stone apple”). The taste is usually sweetish and astringent, but can also be sour.
Vani(lat. “Mangifera caesia”, White mango, Wani, Belunu, Binjai, Yaa-lam, White mango, Bayuno, Mangga wani, sometimes the name Jack appears, that is, Jack, but should not be confused with Jackfruit!) is actively cultivated in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei ( these three states share the island of Borneo, which is considered the birthplace of Vanya), Singapore, Papua New Guinea and the Philippine Islands.
The name is certainly misleading, because this fruit has only a distant relationship with all the familiar mangoes, since they both belong to the same family “Anakrdiaceae” (Sumacaceae), but ordinary mango belongs to the genus “mango” of the same name, and Vani belongs to genus "Anacardium" and is a species of cashew! So “White Mango” is just a trick, it’s better to use one of the local names, the most common being the Indonesian version “Wani” ( emphasis on "and") and Malay "Binjay".
It is important that the fruits are ripe for consumption, since the juice of unripe fruits can cause irritation on the skin and serious consequences if ingested. Unripe fruits are green in color and hard to the touch. When ripe, white mango fruits are quite large, they have an oval shape and reach a length of 15 centimeters and a diameter of 8 cm. The peel is very thin, dark with even darker spots, it is difficult to clean. The pulp is white, juicy, very tender and fibrous in consistency, and inside there is one large seed. Ripe fruits are very aromatic, and everyone who has tried it is delighted with the sweet taste of the pulp. The most interesting comparison is with the taste of ice cream ( it's not the same for everybody…).
In addition to eating it raw, Vani is also consumed dipped in chili and soy sauce... The local population also uses it as a base for the spicy sambal sauce.
From the sweet taste of this fruit it is clear that it is rich in various sugars, but in addition, it contains many vitamins (A, B, D, E and especially a lot of C), essential amino acids, and, of course, micro- and macroelements.
Guava(Psidium, Guayava, Guayaba). Originally from South America ( approximately from the territory of modern Peru), nowadays, in addition to the tropics of America, it is cultivated in Asia, Israel and Africa.
The completely edible fruit can be round, oblong, or pear-shaped. Diameter up to 15 centimeters. The taste of guava does not coincide with the expectation of something exotic - it is completely inexpressive, slightly sweet, but the aroma is pleasant and strong. In the countries where guava grows, they often like to eat it slightly unripe, as it seems to help cool the body on a hot day. You can also often see how such unripe guava is eaten, dipped in a mixture of salt and pepper, they say it is very tonic.
In addition to the usual one, there are also such varieties: red-fruited (“ strawberry guava") and yellow (" lemon guava"). The red-fruited pulp is juicy, translucent, and has a pronounced strawberry flavor. Yellow fruits and inside are the same color, have a lemon aroma. The name guava is often found, which is one of the most common varieties of guava in cultivation.
Guanabana(Guanabana, Annana muricata, Soursop, Annona prickly, Graviola, Soursop). A relative of noina, cherimoya, and custard apple, it is therefore easy to confuse them at first, and just like them, Guanabana is originally from Latin America, but is now grown in many countries with a suitable climate.
A ripe, round, irregular heart-shaped fruit can reach 12 kilograms. The seeds are large and there are many of them. The fruit looks prickly, but in reality it will not be able to prick you, since the spines are more fleshy than hard. The ripe pulp is fibrous and creamy white in color with a taste unlike anything else. The aroma may be slightly reminiscent of pineapple.
Dacriodes(Safou, Sappho, African pear). This evergreen tree can mainly be found in the north of Nigeria and the south of Angola; in the Asian region it is so far cultivated only in Malaysia.
Oblong fruits of blue and purple shades ( similar to eggplant). The pale green pulp is very fatty - up to 48% fat, and contains a large number of various substances useful and necessary for the body. Those who have tried this fruit say that it has a pleasant, delicate taste.
The fruits, which range in color from deep blue to purple, are also known as African pears and are oblong in shape with pale green flesh inside. These fatty fruits were claimed to have the potential to end famine in Africa, as the fruit is made up of 48 percent essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and triglycerides. It is estimated that from one hectare planted with Safu trees, 7–8 tons of oil can be obtained, and all parts of the plant can be used.
Jaboticaba (Jabuticaba, Brazilian grape tree). From the name it is clear that this plant comes from South America, but sometimes it can be found in Southeast Asia, if not on the shelves, then at least in botanical gardens ( I definitely saw it in Singapore). The tree grows slowly, so difficulties arise with its cultivation.
The way the fruits grow is also interesting: they grow directly on the trunk, and not on the branches of the tree. The fruits are small (up to 4 cm in diameter), dark purple in color. Under a thin dense skin ( inedible) there is a soft, jelly-like and very tasty pulp, somewhat similar to grapes, with several seeds.
Jackfruit(Eve, Khanoon, Jackfruit, Nangka, Indian breadfruit). A relative of the Polynesian breadfruit and Malaysian cempedak.
These are the largest fruits growing on trees. The official record for jackfruit is a fruit with a girth of 1 meter 120 centimeters and weighing approximately 34 kg.
The peel of the jackfruit smells unpleasant, but underneath there are several pieces of very tasty sweet yellow pulp. The taste is difficult to describe - some combination of banana, melon, marshmallow.
Durian(Durian). Even if you have never seen this fruit, you have certainly heard it more than once. He became famous throughout the world thanks to his amazingly disgusting smell.
But in the world, especially in Southeast Asia, there are a lot of durian connoisseurs, they even called it the “King of Fruits.” Everyone who has tried durian pulp claims that it is extremely tasty. I take your word for it, but I personally can’t overcome myself and eat even a small piece.
Yellow watermelon. A hybrid of wild watermelon, the flesh of which is naturally yellow, and the familiar watermelon with red flesh. This was necessary because it is impossible to eat a wild watermelon, but as a result of crossing it, a watermelon that tasted quite pleasant, similar to the usual one, but with yellow flesh, was obtained. Although the yellow watermelon is much inferior in sweetness to the red one and the taste is not as pronounced.
Figs(Fig, Fig tree, Fig, Wine berry, Smyrna berry, Ficus carica). I think you have come across it more than once on the fruit stands of your city and if you haven’t tried it yet, be sure to do so. The color of fig skin can vary from yellow-green to purple. The red pulp with small seeds is juicy and sweet. The undoubted advantage of figs is that nutritionists consider them to be among the foods that can help you lose excess weight!
Kaimito(Abiu) - do not confuse with the other Kaimito ( Chrysophyllum or Star Apple). Originally from the upper reaches of the Amazon River, it is cultivated in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Trinidad.
The fruits are round or oval with a smooth, bright yellow skin. The white translucent creamy pulp is very sweet. The aroma is vaguely reminiscent of caramel with cream. Before eating fresh Kaimito, it is recommended to wet your lips, otherwise they may stick together due to the latex in the pulp.
Kaimito fruits contain a lot of phosphorus, calcium, iron, amino acids, vitamins A, C, PP and various useful organic substances.
Kanistel(Kanistel, Tiesa, Egg Fruit, Yellow Sapote). The region of origin is the south of Mexico and Central America, in addition it is also grown in the Antilles and the Bahamas, and can often be found in Southeast Asia.
The fruits can be up to 7.5 cm in width and up to 12.5 in length, their shape is very diverse, there are spherical, oval, ovoid, and twisted. The peel color of ripe fruits is yellowish-orange. The pulp is mealy, yellow with 1–4 large seeds. It's funny that the aroma of the pulp is similar to fried pies, but the taste is very sweet due to the high sugar content.
Kanistel is rich in delicate fiber, nicotinic acid, carotene, amino acids, calcium, phosphorus.
Carambola(Starfruit, Kamrak, Ma Phuak, Carambola, Star-fruit). “Tropical Star” or “Tropical Star” this fruit is called simply because in cross-section it looks like a star. The fruit is edible entirely, and if the taste of its juicy pulp does not seem bright enough to you, the aroma is unlikely to leave you indifferent.
Kasturi(Kasturi, Kalimantan Mango, Mangga Cuban, Pelipisa, Mangifera casturi). Endemic plant of the island of Borneo ( Kalimantan).
Without going into biological details, we can say that this is a wild mango. However, the orange, fibrous pulp of kasturi has a more pronounced flavor and a milder aroma than regular mangoes, although not as sweet as mangoes.
Kiwano(Kiwano Melon, Horned Melon, African Cucumber, Antillean Cucumber, Horned Cucumber, Anguria). Originally from Africa, and most widely grown in Central America, New Zealand, Israel.
This is a vine with oblong fruits of yellow, orange or red color. The flesh is green and really looks like a cucumber. The flavor is described as a mixture of cucumber, banana and melon. The dense peel is not peeled off; the fruit is simply cut into slices and eaten like a melon or watermelon.
Kiwano is rich in vitamins (A, groups B and C), macroelements (sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium), and also contains many microelements (iron, copper, zinc and manganese).
Cocona(Nightshade) grows in South America in mountainous regions.
Oval or spherical fruits (up to 4 cm in length and up to 6 cm in width) resemble tomatoes and have three variants of fruit color; yellow, orange and red. The pulp is jelly-like yellow in color with many small seeds. Some say it tastes like lemon and tomato, while others say it tastes like cherries.
Cocoon fruits are rich in B vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and citric acid.
Coconut I don’t even know if it’s worth mentioning here, because even though it’s an exotic plant for Russian residents, even children know what it is. In the growing regions ( everywhere in the tropics) coconuts are consumed in their entirety, from eating the pulp and juice, to making crafts from the shell and using the peel as fuel. There, in the south, coconuts are sold green on the outside, but inside they have soft translucent flesh and delicious coconut water (or "milk"). In our stores they are already at a different stage of ripening - with a fibrous peel on the outside and a thick layer of pulp inside with a small amount of liquid.
Sea Coconut (Coco de mer, Double nut, Seychelles nut) grows exclusively on the Seychelles islands, and only on two.
In shape, it is very different from a regular coconut and is most similar to... a woman’s buttocks. The fruits are very large, on average about 18 kilograms, specimens over 25 kg are often found. And even 40 kg! Each coconut collected is numbered and a certificate is issued upon purchase. In terms of taste, it is clearly inferior to ordinary coconuts, but you should definitely try it if possible.
candy tree (Hovénia dúlcis, sweet govenia, is known abroad as Japanese raisin tree or oriental raisin tree, that is, Japanese raisin tree or Oriental raisin tree). Historically it grew in Japan, Eastern China, Korea and up to 2000 meters in the Himalayas. Due to its beautiful spreading crown, it was introduced into some countries as an ornamental plant, and as a result, for example in Brazil, it is considered one of the most common “invaders” of subtropical forests.
The fruits of the candy tree are small, like large peas, and it is not for them that the plant is valued, but for what the fruits are supported on. The fleshy stalk, although it looks very strange, is actually very aromatic and sweet, it is edible raw. But more often the stalks of the candy tree are dried, then they become similar to raisins - both in taste and in appearance ( This is where the Western name "Japanese raisin tree" comes from.). An extract from seeds, twigs and young leaves is used as a honey substitute and is used to make local wine and for sweets.
Among the useful substances, it is worth noting the high content of potassium, antioxidants, vitamins, protein and saccharides ( sucrose, fructose, glucose). In China, candy tree extract has been used for several hundred years to combat hangover symptoms. And so, scientists from the University of California at Los Angeles isolated an active substance from this extract, which they called dihydromyricetin (DHM). It allows you to sober up very quickly and even reduces the craving for alcohol! There are already drugs. The main component of which is dihydromyricetin, in fact, this is the path to creating a “sobriety pill” that not only relieves the symptoms of intoxication, but also helps to overcome alcohol addiction. What a wonderful Candy Tree!
Cream apple (Annona reticulata, Buddha's head, Ox's heart, Cream apple) There can be some confusion here, as the name "cream apple" is often applied to the related plant, cherimoya. Originally from the regions of Central America and the Antilles group of islands, it can now often be found in Southeast Asia.
The fruits (from 8 to 16 cm) are similar in shape to a heart ( hence one of the names), the outside may be yellow or brown with a reddish tint. Inside there is sweet white, almost creamy pulp that melts in the mouth and inedible seeds. There is no consensus on what the smell is like, but it is certainly pleasant.
Kumquat(Kumquat, Fortunella, Kinkan, Japanese oranges). The homeland of the kumquat is China, but nowadays it is grown everywhere where the climate is suitable for other citrus fruits.
This representative of citrus fruits has long been common on supermarket shelves, however, many still have not decided to try it, but in vain. Small oblong fruits (up to four centimeters in length and up to two and a half in width) look like small oranges, but their taste is still different. The main feature of kumkawat is that it is eaten directly with the peel, it is very thin; Only the seeds are inedible.
Lychee(Litchi, Chinese plum, Litchi). Originally from Southern China, it is now actively grown in many countries with a subtropical climate. One of the most popular fruits in Southeast Asia.
The fruits are round (up to 4 cm in diameter) with a reddish tuberous skin, sweet, juicy jelly-like pulp and one seed. Many people confuse it with Longan; they are indeed similar in shape, pulp consistency, and taste, but in lychee it is more pronounced.
Contains a lot of carbohydrates, pectin substances, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and a very high content of vitamin PP.
Longan(Lam-yai, Longyan, Dragon's Eye, but also sometimes called a completely different fruit “pitahaya”) is a close relative of the above-described lychee, also native to China, and currently cultivated throughout Southeast Asia.
Round small fruits with a brownish peel inside have juicy, sweet, translucent pulp and one inedible seed. The pulp is very aromatic and, in addition to sweetness, has a unique, recognizable shade.
Longkong(Langsat, Lonkon, Duku, Lonngkong, Langsat) originally from Malaysia, and is now grown in most countries of Southeast Asia, India, Hawaii.
The round fruits (up to 5 cm in diameter) are covered with a brownish peel and in appearance they can be confused with Longan, however, inside Longkong has not whole, but segmented pulp, reminiscent of garlic in shape. But the taste, of course, is not at all garlicky, but pleasant sweet and sour. The variety called Langsat may have a slightly bitter taste.
Lucuma(Pouteria lucuma) is native to South America and is currently grown there as well as in Mexico and Hawaii.
The oval fruits (up to 10 cm in length) are covered with a thin skin of brownish-green color with a reddish tint, and the yellow flesh is sweet and has up to 5 seeds. Lucuma belongs to the Sapotaceae family, among which there are many very tasty and unusual fruits, which you will also learn about in our article ( for example, until recently I myself did not know that one of my favorite fruits, “Sapodilla,” turns out to be also sapote).
Lulo(Naranjilla or Naranjilla, Quito nightshade, lat. Solanum quitoense) comes from the foothills of the Andes, that is, from South America, and is currently cultivated there, as well as in the countries of Central America and the Antilles.
The yellow-orange round fruits (up to 6 cm in diameter) most closely resemble tomatoes, but are covered with white hairs. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour, very interesting; they say it is similar to a mixture of pineapple, strawberry and passion fruit. They are eaten both raw and in the form of juices and desserts. A very healthy fruit - it tones, cleanses the blood, and even helps restore hair and nails.
Magic fruit (Wonderful berries, Puteria sweetish, Miracle fruit) this representative of the extensive Sapotaceae family grows in West Africa.
Small red oblong fruits (up to 3 cm in length) themselves do not have an unusual taste, but nevertheless, they are very unusual. The protein contained in the magic fruit turns off the taste buds that perceive bitter and sour tastes, and after eating it, absolutely everything you eat within an hour will seem sweet to you.
The magic fruit, of course, is not considered as an independent dish, but it is great for gastronomic experiments, so that you can surprise a person with the unusual taste of the most ordinary dishes.
Mammea americana (American apricot, Antillean apricot, Mammea americana) originated from tropical America and is now cultivated throughout the world in areas with suitable climates.
Round fruits (diameter up to 20 cm) with orange pulp and one seed are similar in taste to apricot, hence the second name.
Mame(Mamey-sapote, Mamey, Mamey-sapote, Marmalade fruit, Pouteria, Pouteria sapota). Originally from the southern regions of Mexico, it is also grown in the tropical zone of the Americas and Southeast Asia.
The fruits can be spherical or oblong, often very large (up to 20 cm in length and weighing up to 3 kg), covered with a thick reddish-brown peel. The color of the pulp can be pink, reddish, orange or gray, and its consistency is similar to marmalade ( which is reflected in the title), and the taste reminds some of caramel, while others find creamy shades. The fruit usually contains one large seed.
Jujube fruits are rich in vitamins A, C, carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, as well as iron, calcium and potassium.
Mango(Mango) is one of my favorite fruits, and many people around the world consider mango the most delicious fruit. On the one hand, of course, it’s difficult to call it exotic, because you can buy it in any large supermarket in Russia, but anyone who has tried mango in the places where it grows will say that store-bought fruit is absolutely not the same as fresh. Mango is originally from India, and is now grown literally all over the world, wherever there are suitable conditions. And in each country, mango will have its own flavor notes!
Classic color ripe mango– yellow, but among the 35 mass-grown varieties there are other colors, such as purple, green or black. Therefore, when buying a green mango, you need to clarify whether it is this variety and the fruit is already ripe.
In addition to its amazing aroma and rich, easily recognizable taste, mango has very useful properties, for example, it has a very good effect on the organs of vision and perfectly strengthens the immune system.
Mangosteen(Mangosteen, Mangosteen, Mangosteen, Garcinia, Mankut) the homeland of this plant is Southeast Asia, from where it spread further across the planet, all the way to Africa and Latin America.
The round fruits (up to 7.5 cm in diameter) are covered with a thick dark purple peel, and the pulp is segmented ( like garlic) into slices with seeds. The taste is sweetish, with a slight sourness, which many people like ( but I still couldn’t “get into it”...). Unfortunately, you often come across diseased fruits that you can’t distinguish from healthy ones in appearance until you peel them; the flesh of such fruits will not be white, but creamy and unpleasant in taste ( We've seen these quite often).
passion fruit(Passion fruit, Passion fruit, Edible passionflower, Edible passionflower, Purple granadilla) is native to South America, and is currently grown in many countries with tropical climates.
Round fruits (up to 8 cm in diameter) can have different colors - yellow, purple, pink, red. In general the taste is more sour than sweet, especially yellow ones ( Personally, they remind me very much of sea buckthorn), therefore, in its pure form, the fruit is not for everyone, as a rule, they consume passion fruit juice mixed with others. The seeds are small and edible, but they may cause drowsiness.
And passion fruit received its other name “Fruit of Passion” because of its supposedly inherent aphrodisiac properties, although there has been no serious research on this topic.
Marula(Marula, Sclerocarya birrea) - except in Africa, in the south and west of the continent, you will not find this tree. It is almost impossible to buy fruits outside the dark continent, since ripe fruits very quickly begin to ferment inside, so that you can easily get mildly intoxicated from eating overripe fruits.
The oblong fruits are covered with a thin yellow skin, and underneath there is white, juicy, tart flesh and one seed. Despite the astringent taste, marula is a completely edible fruit, but more often it is used to make various desserts and the signature African liqueur “Amarula”. And from the peel they brew a drink that resembles tea, but with an unusual taste.
The fruits appear twice a year, in March-April and in September-October. Thanks to its rich composition with a large amount of vitamins ( especially high in vitamin C) and minerals, marula is very good for a general strengthening effect on the body, it perfectly removes heavy metal salts and metabolic products. Marula is also suitable for the prevention and treatment of diseases of such body systems as cardiovascular, nervous and genitourinary.
Mathis(South American Sapote, Matisa, South American Sapote) - there is very little information about this fruit, since it is not widespread beyond the region of its origin, that is, beyond the tropical zone of South America.
The fruits are round, ovoid or oval, large (up to 15 cm in length and up to 8 cm in width) with a thick, velvety skin of greenish-brown color. The pulp is orange-yellow, soft, juicy, sweet with a pleasant aroma and from 2 to 5 large seeds.
Mafai(Burmese grape, Mafai, Baccaurea ramiflora, Baccaurea sapida) grows in most South Asian countries, but most commonly in Malaysia and India.
It has nothing in common with grapes except the second name, well, wine is also made from mafai. Round fruits (from 2.5 to 4 cm in diameter) with a peel of different colors, depending on the variety, from yellowish-cream, red and purple. The white pulp, slightly gelatinous in consistency, tastes sweet and sour, is very refreshing, each fruit contains one inedible seed. By the way, the taste of fruits with different peel colors may differ slightly, so if, for example, you tried yellow mafai and were not impressed, then perhaps you will like the red one better.
Mafai does not tolerate long-term transportation very well; ripe fruits are not stored for longer than 5 days. Burmese grapes are full of useful elements, especially a lot of vitamin C and iron, so they are very useful for anemia and as a general tonic.
Mombin purple (Mexican plum, Spondius purpurea, Spondias purpurea, jocote, Hog Plum, Makok, Amra, Siriguela, Ciriguela, Ciruela). Mombin is native to tropical America from Mexico to Brazil and the Caribbean, and was later naturalized in Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
One of the names of mombin purple is “ Ciruela", sometimes used in Latin America, is literally translated from Spanish as "plum", and, in fact, is also used to refer to the common plum. And the Spaniards themselves use a different name for mombin - “ jocote" So look, don’t be surprised by possible confusion with this cleverly hidden fruit! In general, in addition to those I have listed, it has a bunch of local names, listing which would actually take another paragraph...
The fruits are oval, oblong, up to 5 cm long, with thin skin, which can be red, yellow, purple or orange ( the last option looks very much like a kumquat...). The yellow pulp has a fibrous structure; it is aromatic, juicy, and tastes sweet and sour. Inside there is one large bone with grooves.
Contains many B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper.
Monstera(Monstera deliciosa, Monstera attractive, Monstera delightful, Monstera, lat. Monstera deliciosa) comes from Central America, and is also cultivated in India and Australia for its delicious fruits.
By the way, many Russian housewives grow Monstera at home as an ornamental plant, but fruits from flowers are obtained only in suitable climatic conditions. The fruits themselves are similar to corn, they are long, up to 30 cm, and wide, up to 8.5 cm, under a thick peel they hide juicy, aromatic pulp, which tastes like a combination of banana and pineapple.
Loquat japonica (Lokva, Eriobothria japonica, Shesek, Nispero, Nispero) - originally from Japan and China, this plant at one time spread quite widely in the Caucasus, and in earlier times, medlar fruits were quite common, but over time, for some reason, they were forgotten.
Orange-yellow round fruits up to 5 cm in diameter with juicy pulp and one large seed. Some people taste like pear and cherry, others like apple and apricot, but always sweet and sour. I tried Medlar for the first time in Hong Kong, and before that I didn’t even know about its existence; really very nice fruit, it seemed to me that its taste was absolutely independent, easily recognizable. Many beneficial properties, especially for people suffering from hypertension, arrhythmia, dropsy, and heart failure.
Noina(perhaps the most common name in Asia is Sugar apple, Annona scaly, Sugar-apple, Sweetsop, Noi-na). It really resembles an apple in shape and size, but has an original appearance with peculiar “scales”. This lumpy green fruit is widely cultivated in countries with tropical climates - from South America to Polynesia. ( Many people often confuse it with the Guanabana fruit; they are indeed similar, as they are “close relatives,” but they are not the same thing! Guanabana is also often called “sugar apple”, but again, by mistake.)
Under the lumpy skin there is a sweet pulp that tastes very pleasant and hard, inedible seeds (up to 60 pieces). A ripe fruit should be soft when pressed, its pulp will be really tasty, tender and can be safely eaten with a spoon. If you come across an unripe specimen ( hard to the touch), then it’s better to just let it sit for a couple of days and ripen.
And the benefit of noina lies in its rich content of vitamin C, various amino acids and calcium.
Noni(Noni, Morinda citrifolia, Morinda citrus folia, Greater moringa, Indian mulberry, Healthy tree, Cheese fruit, Nonu, Nono). The homeland of this plant is South Asia, and due to its ease of care and soil quality, it is currently actively grown in most countries with a suitable tropical climate.
The oval fruits are to some extent reminiscent of potatoes in their shape, only green and with pimples, and inside there are many small seeds.
Absolutely, you will not forget this fruit if you try it, but you are unlikely to be delighted with the pungent smell of moldy cheese and bitter taste. That is, noni is definitely not popular among tourists... But the population of the countries where it is grown actively consumes it, often as a main everyday product, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, but has a very low calorie content.
Prickly pear(Indian fig, Indian fig, Indian fig, sabr, prickly pear, tsabr). Cactus! The real one, but not the kind of decorative one that might grow in your home, but a large tree-like plant. The main place of growth ( remember westerns) – America ( both continents). Don’t be embarrassed that some versions of the name contain the adjective “Indian”; if you remember your school history course, you understand that it is only indirectly related to India ( Columbus sailed to open the route to India, hence the confusion).
They eat, of course, not thorns, but fruits ( although they are also prickly...) small sizes (up to 10 cm), which can be of different shades ( green, red or yellow). Their flesh is sweetish-sour ( they say it looks like a persimmon), it is eaten with a spoon, but to get to it, you must first soak the fruit for 20 minutes in cold water, then remove small spines and cut the peel.
Of course, this is one of the most exotic fruits that not every tourist will be able to try.
Pineberry(Pineberry, Pineapple strawberry). It is a hybrid of the South American Chilean strawberry and the North American Virginia strawberry.
Pineberry berries are small, from 15 to 23 mm, have a light color, from white to orange, and have a taste and aroma like pineapple, which is why it got its name.
It is almost impossible to find for sale in Russia, since pineberry is extremely barren, is highly susceptible to rot in rainy weather and does not tolerate transportation well. Pineberries are grown in relatively large quantities in greenhouses in Europe.
Pandanus(Pandan, Screw Palm, Wild Pineapple). Some of the readers are probably very familiar with this plant, since some of its species are ornamental house plants.
The round fruits are shaped like a pineapple and have an orange-red color when ripe. The fruits of only some types of pandanus are conditionally edible. That is, you can chew the juicy pulp and enjoy the taste, similar to pineapple, but then you have to spit it out ( although I have never come across information about any complications if eaten...). Pandanus is mainly used to make juice and essential oil to flavor various dishes or even soap.
Papaya(Papaya, Melon tree, Breadfruit tree). It is originally from Central and South America, and nowadays it is cultivated in almost all tropical countries. It should not be confused with other “Breadfruit Trees” ( Jackfruit and Breadfruit Artocarpus altilis), there is nothing in common between these plants, it’s just that if papaya is baked over a fire, it will begin to smell like bread.
The fruits grow directly on the tree trunk, they are large, have an elongated shape and can reach a length of 45 cm and a diameter of 30 cm. The color of unripe fruits is green, and the color of ripe fruits is yellow-orange. The taste of ripe papaya is not super exotic and memorable, but still very pleasant, in some way it really resembles melon.
Unripe fruits are also used as food for the most variety of dishes. Medicines are also made from papaya to treat osteochondrosis and improve digestion. A very useful plant, but the abundance of milky juice in all its parts makes you be careful, as this juice can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Pepino(Melon pear, Sweet cucumber, Solanum muricatum) this shrub is native to South America, where it is mainly grown, and is also cultivated in New Zealand.
Quite large round fruits weighing up to 700 g. They can vary significantly in shape and color, mainly shades of yellow predominate, sometimes with purple or violet streaks. The pulp is very juicy, yellowish in color, the sweet and sour taste resembles melon, and the aroma is a cross between melon, pumpkin and cucumber. Small seeds in the axils of the pulp are edible. Pepino is used as a dessert, added to salads, sauces, and can be preserved or made into jam. Unripe fruits are used as regular vegetables.
Pepino is very rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, C, PP, as well as iron, potassium pectin. Ripe ones can be stored in the refrigerator for several months, and unripe ones can also be stored for a long time and at the same time ripen.
Pitanga(Eugenia brasiliensis, Grumichama, Brazilian cherry, Southern cherry, Suriname cherry) with the help of one of the names it is clear that the homeland of this plant is South America, in addition, it is cultivated in the Philippines and in African French Guinea.
From the second name it is also clear that pitanga tastes most like cherries, sometimes with a slight bitterness; its red flesh is very juicy with one seed. The round fruits can be various shades of red and even black. But their main feature, which immediately catches the eye, is that they are ribbed.
You can eat it like regular cherries - from eating raw, to juices, mousses, jams, etc. Pitanga contains a lot of vitamins A and C, phosphorus, calcium, anthocyanins, antioxidants and carotene.
Pitahaya(Pitaya, Long Yan, Dragon fruit, sometimes Dragon Eye). Only when I started preparing this article did I learn that pitahaya is a cactus. It is originally from America, but is now grown everywhere in regions with a suitable climate, especially in Southeast Asia.
Large oblong fruits are easy to recognize, as they look very distinctive. The color of the peel can be red, pinkish or yellow, and the color of the pulp is white or red.
The pulp is juicy, with many small edible seeds, the taste is a little sweet, but nothing outstanding, it can hardly be called exotic and memorable. Despite the inexpressiveness of taste. For some reason, the fruit is quite popular and is grown on huge plantations all year round.
Pitahaya has a high content of phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins B, C, E. This fruit will be useful for diabetes mellitus or stomach pain.
Platonia is wonderful (Platonia insignis, Bacuri, Bacury, Pacuri, Pakuri, Pakouri, Packoeri, Pakoeri, Maniballi, Bacurizeiro). This tall (up to 25 meters) tree comes from South America and trying it somewhere other than in the countries of this region (Brazil, Guyana, Colombia, Paraguay) is very difficult.
The spherical or oval fruits can be up to 12 cm in diameter. The thick yellow-brown peel hides aromatic white pulp and several large seeds. The sweet and sour pulp is eaten both fresh and in the form of desserts, marmalade, and jelly. Platonia fruits contain a lot of iron, phosphorus and vitamin C.
Pluot(Plumcotte, Aprium) - a hybrid of plum and apricot, with predominant characteristics of plum, obtained in California.
The shape is similar to both a plum and an apricot, but the skin is still smooth and elastic like a plum; the color depends on the variety, it can be from green to burgundy. The juicy pulp is a bit like an apricot, but much sweeter, and the color is closer to purple.
Pluot is used in the same way as its “parents” - whether you just eat it, or make jam or compote, or dessert, even wine is made from it.
Rich in potassium, vitamin C, glucose, excellent during colds, as it has antipyretic properties and the ability to strengthen the immune system.
Pomelo(Pomela, Pamela, Pomelo, Pummelo, Pumelo, Som-o, Pompelmus, Shaddock, Citrus maxima, Citrus grandis, Chinese grapefruit, Jabong, Jeruk, Limo, Lusho, Dzhembura, Sai-seh, Banten, Zebon, Robeb tenga). The birthplace of this citrus fruit is Southeast Asia, it is currently grown in many countries, it is quite a common product in our supermarkets, but many still have not tried it, so for them it is definitely still exotic.
The fruits are spherical, large, sometimes even very large, up to 10 kilograms; It may indicate green or yellow. Under the thick peel, the pulp, like most citrus fruits, is divided into segments; it is not as juicy as that of “relatives” such as orange or grapefruit, but tasty, sweet-sour, refreshing.
If you see this fruit in the nearest store, but have not yet bought it, then in vain, know that pomelo is a very healthy citrus, a dietary fruit, it contains microelements, vitamins B1, B2, B5, C, and beta-carotene. Pomelo is perfect for strengthening the immune system and preventing colds.
Cancer(Salacca wallichiana) is the closest relative of Snake Fruit (Salacca zalacca), which is discussed below. They are very often confused, but the fruits of Rakam ( emphasis on the second “a”), unlike Rakum ( Snake fruit, description and photo below in the text) are more elongated, colored red and have a more pronounced taste. But the rest is the same - scales and spines on the peel, and one growing region in Southeast Asia.
Rambutan(Rambutan, Ngo, "hairy fruit"). The funny appearance of rambutan is immediately remembered. The red round fruits (up to 5 cm in diameter) are truly “hairy”; they are even named so from the Indonesian word “Rambut”, that is, “hair”. In addition to red, rambutan can be yellow or reddish-orange.
These fruit trees are cultivated throughout Southeast Asia ( Rambutan is especially popular in Thailand), as well as in Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean.
The peel is soft, very easily removed by hand, and underneath there is very juicy translucent pulp, aromatic and sweet, often with a slight pleasant sourness. The gelatinous pulp may be red or white in color.
It is better to eat the seed raw, as it can be poisonous and does not have much of a taste, but the roasted seeds can be safely eaten. Jams and jellies are also made from rambutan; it can often be bought in our stores in canned form.
Rambutan fruits contain protein, carbohydrates, phosphorus, iron, calcium, nicotinic acid, vitamins C, B1 and B2.
Rose apple (Syzygium iambosus, Malabar plum, Chompu, Chmphū̀, Rose apple, Chom-poo). It is actively grown in the region of its origin - in the countries of Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand.
The shape of the chompu is not at all similar to an apple, but rather looks like a pear or a bell. The color of the fruit may be red ( more often), pale pink or light green. The peel is thin, inside there is juicy pulp and several small seeds, so the chompa can be eaten whole ( Don't forget to wash all fruits thoroughly!).
The taste of the crispy pulp cannot be called expressive and memorable, which is why the fruit is not very popular among tourists. The aroma and taste of chompu vaguely resemble a rose (but I, for example, didn’t catch it at all), but, in my opinion, the Rose Apple is more like an apple. So don’t expect an extravaganza of flavors from the chompu, but with its help you can perfectly quench your thirst.
Rum berry (lat. Myrciaria floribunda, Rumberry, Guavaberry) - often found in nature in Central and South America, on the Caribbean islands, also grown in the USA (Florida and Hawaii) and the Philippines.
The berries are yellow-orange to dark red and almost black, very small, half the size of a cherry ( from 8 to 16 millimeters). The pulp is aromatic, sweet or sweet and sour, translucent, but there is very little of it, since the round seed takes up a lot of space inside.
The berries can be eaten just like that, but more often they are used to make jams and drinks, usually alcoholic, for example “ Guavaberry liqueu r" is a rum-based drink that is a popular Christmas drink among Caribbean islanders.
Contains a lot of iron, vitamin C, amino acids, pectin substances, organic acids, flavonoids.
Buddha's hand(Buddha's Fingers, Finger Citron). This strange fruit with its very unusual shape immediately attracts attention. But you don’t need to buy it to try; you’re unlikely to be happy that it consists almost entirely of a dense peel, like a lemon, and a small amount of inedible pulp.
Despite this, Buddha's Hand is on all fruit counters in Southeast Asia, as it is used in cooking, to flavor baked goods, and to make jam, drinks, and candied fruits.
Salak(Salak, Salacca, Rakum, Snake fruit, Salacca zalacca). A very popular fruit in Southeast Asia.
The teardrop-shaped fruits (up to 4 cm in diameter) are covered with a brown scaly skin, which really resembles snake skin to many. The peel is relatively easy to remove, but it is covered with sharp small spines that easily dig into the skin of your hands, so you need to peel it carefully, preferably with a knife.
Under the prickly skin there is beige flesh, which is segmented into several fragments, and several inedible seeds.
You will remember this fruit not only for its unusual appearance, but also for its bright sweet and sour taste, in shades of which some feel persimmon, others pear, others pineapple or banana with a nutty flavor, that is, you must try it, You can't explain it in words.
Salak contains calcium, vitamin C, beta carotene, so it regular use has a positive effect on the condition of hair and nails, improves vision, and also has a good effect on the gastrointestinal tract and brain activity.
Santol(Katon, Sandoricum koetjape, Santol, Kompem rich, Kraton, Krathon, Graton, Tong, Donka, Wild mangosteen, False mangosteen). It is actively grown in the countries of Southeast Asia.
The spherical fruits (up to 7.5 cm in diameter) are covered with a thick velvety peel, which can be yellowish or reddish-brown. The white flesh is segmented into several lobes, each with one seed. The sweet or sour taste of santol is reminiscent of the more common mangosteen, giving it one of its names. There is no need to eat bones, as they lead to intestinal disorders.
Santol contains many vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, thanks to this composition, it has general strengthening properties, is useful for weakened immunity, diseases of the cardiovascular system, and strengthens bones and teeth.
Sapodilla(Capotato tree, Tree potato, Butter tree, Ahra, Sapodilla, Prang khaa, La-mut, Naseberry, Chiku) originally from Mexico, is now grown almost everywhere in the tropical countries of America and Asia.
Mostly oval, sometimes round fruits (up to 10 cm in length) are covered with a thin skin of brown shades from light to dark; ripe fruits should be dark and soft. The pulp is very tender, juicy, brown in color, sometimes with a pink tint. It tastes like caramel, one of my favorite fruits. Inside the fruit there are about a dozen seeds, each with a hook, so you need to be careful not to accidentally swallow them, otherwise they can get caught in the throat with this hook ( but the seeds are very easily separated from the pulp and I have not had any problems with them).
It is a pity that such a delicious fruit can be stored for no more than 3 days, because of this it can only be tasted in the growing regions or the countries closest to them ( Russia, as you understand, is not one of them).
Sapodilla contains potassium, a lot of vitamin C, calcium, iron, healthy carbohydrates, and, of course, fiber.
Sapote white (White Sapote, Matasano, Casimiroa edulis, Mexican apple, Mexican apple). To the representatives of the Sapotaceae family described above ( sapodilla, lucuma) is not related, since it is part of another family - Rutaceae. The plant comes from the central regions of Mexico and is cultivated in Central and South America, on some Caribbean islands and the neighboring Bahamas, in India, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean.
Round fruits (up to 12 cm in diameter) with thin, smooth yellowish or green skin and creamy white pulp. It tastes like vanilla cream or pudding. There is no need to eat the seeds (up to 6 pieces), as they are considered to be poisonous and have narcotic properties.
Sapote green (Green Sapote, Red faisan, Achradelpha viridis and Calocarpum viride). Originally from Central America, the territory of Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Also grown in Australia and Polynesia.
The oval-shaped fruits (up to 12.5 cm in length and up to 7.5 cm in diameter) are covered with a smooth thin peel of olive or yellow-green color, maybe with red-brown speckles. The pulp fits tightly to the peel, it is red-brown in color, very tender, sweet and juicy. Each fruit has 1 or 2 dark brown seeds.
Sapote black (Black Sapote, Diospyros digyna, Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Chocolate Persimmon, Black Persimmon, Chocolate persimmon, Black apple, Barbacoa). Neither to the Sapotovs ( sapodilla, lucuma), nor to the Rutovs ( White sapote) has no relation, despite the name, since it belongs to a completely different family - Ebony, and the closest relative of the black sapote known to us is the persimmon. The region of origin is Central America and southern Mexico, and is also grown on islands such as Mauritius, Hawaii, the Philippines, the Antilles and Brazil.
The spherical fruits (up to 12.5 cm in diameter) when ripe become dirty green on the outside, and their flesh is black ( hence the name). The pulp is jelly-like, glossy, even unpleasant in appearance, but very tasty, tender, sweet and reminiscent of chocolate pudding. It is eaten simply fresh, and is actively used as an ingredient for confectionery and cocktails. The pulp contains up to 10 flat seeds, which are easily separated from it.
TamarindSweet (Sweet Tamarind, Indian Date, Assam, Sampalok, Chintapandu). This tree of the legume family is native to East Africa and is now cultivated throughout tropical countries.
The fruits are long, up to 20 cm, as befits legumes, they look like beans ( or peas), they are light brown on the outside, and the flesh ( more precisely, the pericarp or pericarp) dark brown. The fruits are very sweet and tart, but you need to eat them carefully, because unlike the legumes we are used to, tamarind has hard, large seeds hidden in its pulp.
It is also used fresh, but is much more widely used in cooking in the form of spices and sauces.
Sweet tamarind contains a lot of vitamin A, C, B vitamins, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and is rich in carbohydrates, organic acids and protein.
Tamarillo(Tamarillo, Tomato tree, Cyphomandra betacea). The countries of the west coast of South America are considered the homeland; grown in almost every country in South America, as well as in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti and New Zealand.
The oval-shaped fruits (up to 10 cm in length, up to 5 cm in diameter) really resemble tomatoes, covered with a smooth, dense peel that tastes bitter. The color can be yellow, orange-red, sometimes purple. The pulp is golden-reddish, with many small seeds, it tastes sweet-sour-salty, similar to a tomato with a flavor of passion fruit or currant. Usually it is eaten with a spoon, simply cutting the fruit in half.
Contains little fat and carbohydrates; rich in potassium, A, B6, C, thiamine, riboflavin.
Umari(Umari, Guacure, Yure, Teechi) native to the Brazilian Amazon; grown in Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
The fruits are oval (from 5 to 10 cm in length and from 4 to 8 cm in diameter), covered with a thin, smooth peel of yellow, red, black or green. You can eat it with the peel, and the layer of pulp is only 2–5 mm, it is yellow in color, oily, sweet, with a strong characteristic pleasant taste and aroma. There is one hard, large seed inside the fruit; they are fried and eaten. Umari is consumed simply like a regular fruit, and also due to its fatty, oily texture, literally like butter spread on cassava bread.
Umari contains fats, carbohydrates, proteins, zinc, calcium and vitamin A.
Feijoa(Feijoa, Pineapple Guava, Akka Sellova, Akka Feijoa, Feijoa Sellova). Originally from South America, it is now grown everywhere in regions with a suitable subtropical climate (including Russia).
Small oval-shaped fruits (up to 5 cm long and up to 4 cm in diameter) are covered with either a smooth yellow-green peel or a lumpy dark green peel; it tastes sour, so it is better to eat without it. The color of the ripe berry is white or cream, it is juicy, jelly-like and divided into several sections and contains several edible seeds. The sweet and sour taste is reminiscent of a mixture of strawberries, pineapple and kiwi.
Feijoa contains a lot of sugars, organic acids, iodine, and vitamin C.
Physalis(Physalis, sometimes called Emerald berry or Earth cranberry, Peruvian gooseberry, Bladderberry, Dog cherry, Marunka, Strawberry tomato) - you've probably seen it many times, it is very often used to decorate confectionery products, although it is also found simply on sale. It looks like a small tomato, and its main feature is an openwork, airy “box”, which is obtained from dried physalis flowers.
Orange small fruits are juicy, sweet with slight sourness, depending on the specific variety ( and there are a lot of them) there may be various shades of strawberry in the taste and aroma, for example, strawberry in Strawberry Physalis.
It contains a fairly high content of vitamins A, C, group B, tannin, polyphenols, glucose; fiber, antioxidants, fruit and organic acids, tannins.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Breadfruit, Pana). The same name is sometimes used for Jackfruit and Papaya, so don't get confused! New Guinea is considered to be its homeland, from where this plant spread across the islands of Oceania and to the countries of Southeast Asia. The very productive breadfruit tree is a staple food in some countries.
The fruits are very large, round-oval (up to 30 cm in diameter and weight up to 4 kg) covered with a rough peel, which is green when unripe, but in the ripe fruit it is yellow-brown. The wild variety of breadfruit contains many seeds in the fruit, but the cultivated variety has no seeds.
Unripe pulp is white, fibrous, starchy, and ripe pulp becomes soft and changes color to cream or yellow. The ripe fruit is sweetish, but overall the taste is not particularly attractive, rather reminiscent of potatoes and bananas. Unripe fruits are consumed as vegetables, and when they are cooked, you can feel the bready taste.
Breadfruit is very nutritious and contains ( dried) 4% protein, 14% sugars, 75-80% carbohydrates ( it's mostly starch) and contain virtually no fat.
Chrysophyllum (Star apple, Star apple, Cainito, Star apple, Milkfruit, Kaimito) NOT TO BE CONFUSED with Kaimito ( or Abiu). Originally from Central America, today it is cultivated in the tropics of South America, India, Southeast Asia, West Africa and Tanzania.
The spherical or oval fruits (up to 10 cm in diameter) are covered with a smooth, inedible green or purple-brown skin, depending on the variety. The pulp can be white to purple in color, it is juicy, jelly-like, sweet and very sticky with milky juice. The fruit contains up to 8 shiny dark brown inedible seeds. If the fruit is cut crosswise, the cut pattern will look like a star. The ripe fruit is wrinkled and soft and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks, making it a great gift for friends and family from your tropical vacation.
Contains a lot of phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin C, amino acids and protein; has low glucose content.
Chempedak(Artocarpus champeden, Chempedak or Cempedak). Originally from Malaysia, where it is mainly grown, it is also cultivated in neighboring Brunei, Thailand, and Indonesia. A relative of Marang, Breadfruit and Jackfruit.
The fruits are elongated, large (up to 45 cm in length and up to 15 cm in width), covered with a yellow-brown rough peel, and smell pleasant. The peel can be easily removed by hand, but it is worth remembering that due to the latex it secretes, it is very sticky. The pulp is divided into segments, it is dark yellow in color, juicy, sweet and tender, with round seeds ( they are also eaten). The taste of Chempedak is similar to its relative - Jackfruit.
Chempedak contains B vitamins, vitamin C, carotene, calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, that is, a very useful fruit, in particular for strengthening the immune system, bones and teeth, and is also very good as a general strengthening product.
Cherimoya(Annona cherimola, Cream apple, Ice cream tree, Graviola, Tzumux, Anona poshte, Atis, Sasalapa and a whole bunch of other possible names...). Native to the foothills of the South American Andes, it is widely grown in regions with suitable subtropical climates throughout the planet.
Cherimoya has many close relatives, so sometimes it is easy to get confused, for example, Custard apple is also called Annona reticulata, and there is also Annona spiny ( Guanabana or Soursop), Annona squamosus ( Noina or Sugar Apple).
The fruit is heart-shaped (up to 20 cm in length and up to 10 cm in width), covered with a green peel with characteristic irregularities. The pulp is white, fibrous-cream in consistency, with a pleasant aroma and complex taste from a mixture of passion fruit, banana, pineapple, strawberries and cream. The seeds are very hard and small, so cherimoya must be eaten carefully.
Cherimoya has a lot of useful things: proteins and carbohydrates, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, organic acids.
Jujube(Real jujube, Unabi, Chinese date, Pectoral berry, Chapyzhnik, Jujuba, Jujube). Cultivated in Southeast and Central Asia, Japan, Australia, the European Mediterranean, and the Caucasus.
The fruits are ovoid or round, although in fact they vary greatly in shape. The smooth, thin, shiny peel is also distinguished by a variety of colors, which can be green, yellowish, dark red, brown and combinations thereof. The pulp is dense, white, sweet juicy ( looks like an apple), eaten with the peel; There is one bone inside.
Jujube is rich in vitamins C, B, A, beta carotene, amino acids, microelements, proteins, sugars and many other useful substances, the names of which are difficult to pronounce.
Yangmei(Mountain Peach, Yangmei, Chinese Strawberry or Chinese Arbutus, Red Wax). Originally from China, where it has been mainly grown for more than two thousand years, but is also found in neighboring countries.
The fruits are “rough” balls (up to 2.5 cm in diameter) and can be colored in various shades from reddish to purple or violet. The pulp is tender and juicy, red in color with one large seed. Yangmei's taste is sweet and tart, even tart, with hints of cherry, blackberry and strawberry.
Yangmei is rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, and ascorbic acid.
How many exotic fruits have you tried? And which of those listed in the article did you learn about for the first time?
It’s strange why I didn’t try this fruit in Spain. Apparently the title confused me - nisperos. I didn’t know the translation, and there was no one nearby who could tell me what kind of exotic it was.
This time I bought it and tried it. And I was not disappointed - tasty, juicy, refreshing. The fragrant and fleshy fruits caused an explosion of taste sensations. Out of surprise, I even coughed, as the juice jumped out of the fruit in splashes, like from a bottle of gas. Now I will no longer miss an opportunity to enjoy a fruit I have discovered to my heart’s content. That’s how you live forever, and you won’t try everything.
Nisperos ( Nisperos) in Spanish (emphasis on first syllable) or Japanese medlar is an Asian fruit that has existed on earth for several millennia. The birthplace of this tree is China, its subtropical regions. Medlar has taken root well in Japan and hence its name.
Until the 19th century, loquats did not grow in Spain or other Mediterranean countries. It was brought to Spain by sailors about two thousand years ago. The warm coastal areas of the Mediterranean are ideal for the tender tree, and it grows in the same area as citrus trees.
There are many varieties of loquats, each with some differences. As a rule, it has a pear-shaped fruit up to 8 cm in diameter, with smooth skin from yellow-orange to dark orange. It has soft yellow, very juicy pulp with a sweet and sour taste, similar to the taste of a mixture of apricot, apple, and plum. In appearance, medlar is very similar to apricot.
The fruit contains 2-4 large seeds that can be dried, roasted, ground and brewed as coffee for cores. It is better not to eat raw seeds, as they contain small amounts of toxic substances. But a decoction of the seeds can be used to treat the gastrointestinal tract.
In Spain there are 2 most common varietiesArgelino And Tanaka. The evergreen tree begins flowering in the fall, and the harvest ripens from May to June. The flowers resemble the scent of almonds.
The fruits are consumed raw. Can be served with cheese or cold meat, jamon. And those with a sweet tooth can experiment by combining nisperos with bananas, ice cream, and yogurt. Due to the high content of pectin, medlar is especially suitable for making preserves or jam; you can prepare juice, compote, and sauce. 
This low-calorie product contains a lot of carbohydrates and fiber, and is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. It contains carotene, vitamin C and B vitamins. And you get tired of listing the number of minerals: selenium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, zinc, calcium, sodium - and that’s not all.
Therefore, this amazing fruit can be safely consumed when losing weight and treating the urinary tract, relieving pain from kidney stones, normalizing intestinal function, cleaning the liver and blood vessels from toxins and waste, and reducing sugar. Loquat helps control blood cholesterol and blood pressure.
But we should not forget that you need to follow moderation when dieting: a fasting day can only be 1 time per week and don't eat anymore 1 kg per day. 
For bronchial asthma and respiratory diseases, the pulp of the fruit along with the seeds is prepared alcohol tincture. Grind 5 pieces of medlar, add 2 tablespoons of honey and 100 ml of alcohol or vodka. Mix everything and leave in a dark place for a week. Take 30 g after straining 3 times a day before meals. There is relief from cough, removal of mucus from the lungs and improvement in general condition. Lovers of exotic plants have learned to grow medlar from seeds and admire it as an ornamental bush, and even harvest a small harvest after 5 years at home. There is a Spanish site for lovers of this fruit http://www.nisperosruchey.com/
It is believed that a person needs to eat those vegetables and fruits that grow in his habitat; northern peoples have no need to feast on overseas pineapples; such an experiment will not bring any benefit, but it can do harm. However, few people are able, when in an exotic country, to resist the temptation to try an unusual fruit, or not to taste the forbidden fruit from the hands of someone who has just returned “from the south.” Numerous types of tropical fruits excite the minds and gastronomic sensations of travelers; when going to a new country, one cannot help but try exotic fruits, photos of which previously could only be seen in the picture. Some have an incredibly alluring appearance, others repel and even frighten with their non-standard beauty of bizarre forms.
In this article we will look at exotic fruits, the list of which is very long. Perhaps, after looking at the description and photo, you will understand that you will never put THIS in your mouth, but you are ready to go overseas for another exotic fruit. The easiest way to understand the name of the exotic fruit is from the photo and description. Get ready, the list is really long.
Lychee
The most famous exotic fruit from Thailand that travelers try and bring back is lychee. Lychee has a strange appearance, an original taste, reminiscent of a mixture of very sweet grapes and gooseberries and, by the way, also grows in China and Indonesia. This is a small red fruit, about 4 cm in diameter, with a hard skin that is easy to remove only after getting used to it and eating a lot of pieces. The pulp is white-transparent, slightly jelly-like, very sweet, but with a slight sourness. There is a large bone inside. The fruit has a rich vitamin and microelement composition: pectins, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, PP. In addition, lychee is rich in proteins.
Longan
This yellow exotic fruit also comes from Thailand and resembles lychee in taste and appearance, but the name of this tropical fruit the other is longan or, as it is also called, the Eye of the Dragon.
Some compare the appearance of this fruit to small potatoes, but it is similar only to the size and color of the peel. The skin of longan is also very tough, although thin. The yellow color of the longan peel hides the tender pulp, like that of lychee, white, translucent. This tropical fruit has a sweet taste. The texture is also jelly-like, elastic, the bone is large and hard. The fruits contain a lot of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, and sugars. The fruit also grows in China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Pitahaya
Some from tropical countries are brought local fruits as a souvenir; not everyone decides to immediately try an overseas miracle, but wants to find out what it is, because photos of exotic fruits with names fascinate with their beauty and play of colors. For example, many are interested in the question of what kind of exotic fruit this is - white with black seeds. White tender pulp, generously strewn with small black pitahaya seeds.
The appearance of the pitahaya, otherwise known as the Dragon Fruit, is also memorable: an oval palm-sized fruit with a red or pink skin. The fruit is very juicy and soft inside, it is most convenient to eat with a spoon. The fruit is very interesting in appearance, but has no remarkable taste. It is mainly added when preparing various desserts, but as an independent product it is tried more out of curiosity. Grows in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, China, Thailand.
By the way, pitahaya is the fruit of a cactus, as you can guess judging by its appearance.
Kiwano
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Kiwano is an exotic fruit similar to a cucumber. The transparent green flesh of kiwano resembles the pulp of a well-known vegetable. The fruit has other names, which are translated into our language as “Horned Melon”, “African Cucumber”, “Horned Cucumber”. The skin of the fruit is yellow-orange with spines. Before consumption, the fruit is not peeled, but cut, like a watermelon. The fruit tastes like a cross between banana, melon, cucumber and kiwi. In Africa, New Zealand, Chile, Guatemala, Israel and the USA, kiwano is added to both desserts and main dishes. Unripe fruits are also edible.
Carambola
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Many people have fallen in love with the exotic fruit of a bright yellow color, which has a funny shape and edible peel - carambola. In cross section, this exotic fruit looks like a star; it is eaten whole, along with the skin and seeds. It has a pleasant smell and juicy pulp with a sweet and sour taste. Some claim that the taste of carambola is vaguely reminiscent of an apple. Carambola fruits will decorate a holiday table, cocktail or dessert. Grows in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.
Buddha's hand
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Another yellow tropical fruit that stands out in appearance but not in flavor is citrons, or Buddha's Hand. The shape of the fruit resembles a human hand with long fingers and does not look very appetizing. The peel here occupies more than 70% of the entire fruit, and the pulp tastes bitter. It is not recommended to try fresh citron; you will not get pleasure from such a snack. You can bring it home as a souvenir, and then add it instead of lemon when preparing sweet dishes. For these purposes, they are used in their homeland - in India, Japan, Vietnam, and China.
Pepino
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Considering the most exotic fruits, let's consider another one of them - pepino. This yellow tropical fruit, native to South America and New Zealand, is actually a berry. True, the weight of such a berry can be more than 700 grams. We call it Melon Pear or Sweet Cucumber. Tastes like good ripe melon, the peel, like the seeds, is edible, but tastes unpleasant. Mainly grown in
Mafai
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Maphai, or Burmese grape, is similar in appearance and taste to longan. The pulp is yellow, translucent, jelly-like. Inside, the fruit is juicy, sweet and sour, refreshing. Inside, the fruit consists of several cloves, like garlic. And in each slice there is a bitter seed, which is difficult to separate from the pulp. These tropical fruits can be bought in Thailand, Vietnam, India, China, and Cambodia.
Medlar
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Medlar, or Loqua, is another rather unusual “sunny” yellow-orange exotic fruit. Externally, the fruits resemble an apple or persimmon, but the texture of the pulp is like a plum. The taste is reminiscent of sweet and sour blueberries, apples, persimmons and pears combined. This is a “multi-fruit”. You can buy it not only in overseas countries, but also here, in Russia: in Crimea and in the Krasnodar Territory.
Guanabana
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Guanabana is a green tropical fruit with a bright appearance and original taste. The appearance of this fruit is deceptive: the prickly-looking thorns on the peel are actually soft shoots that do not cause unpleasant tactile sensations. The fruits are large - on average, from 3 to 14 kilograms, and it is not surprising that its seeds are the size of large beans.
The pulp of guanabana is oily and fibrous, sweet and sour with a unique taste reminiscent of Citro soda. An unripe fruit is absolutely tasteless, which is why many tourists, having bought guanabana that is “green” in every sense, do not find anything good in it. Ripe fruit should be elastic and bend when pressed. If the fruit is hard, it means it is not ripe. Let it sit for a few days and you will be able to enjoy the original taste. To eat guanabana, cut it in half and scrape out the pulp with a spoon. You can cut it into slices and eat it like a watermelon or melon. You can buy this magnificence in South America.
Avocado
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A green tropical fruit that has practically ceased to be exotic for Russians is the avocado. Yes, in fact the fruit is a fruit, although the taste is more like a vegetable. The pulp has an oily, fatty texture, something between a fresh pumpkin and a nut.
The seed inside the fruit is very large, inedible, but it is also there. You can read more in a separate article on our website.
Like many other unusual overseas fruits, avocado is a very healthy fruit that is best bought in Vietnam, India, and Cuba.
Spanish lime
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Another green exotic fruit is the Spanish lime. Its taste properties are far from the qualities of limes known to us. Spanish limes have sweet, not bitter flesh, but the peel is also inedible. You can try it in Ecuador and Colombia.
Ambarella
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Ambarella is an oval-shaped fruit with a yellow-green color. The skin is tough, inedible, the bone is prickly and hard, but the flesh is very juicy, soft, slightly reminiscent in taste of a mixture of mango and pineapple. Grows in India, Indonesia,
Bail
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Bail is an exotic fruit similar to a pear or apple; it also has a second name, which is translated as Tree Apple. The skin is dense and rustling, like a nut, the flesh is fluffy, sweet or sour, and irritates the throat when eaten. The peel of the bail is so tough that you can only cut the fruit in half with a hammer. For this reason, it is mainly sold already cut. Grows in India, Pakistan, Indonesia.
Bam-balan
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The fruit called bam-balan has an original taste. Tourists claim that the taste of the fruit resembles the taste of borscht seasoned with sour cream. It grows on the island of Barneo, on the Malaysian side.
Pink banana
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Banana is a pink exotic fruit that grows in many warm countries and is practically no different in taste from its yellow counterpart.
Mangosteen
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Mangosteen - exotic fruit dark purple hue. About the size of an apple, it has a thin but inedible skin. Elastic, sweet and sour pulp, practically seedless. If there are bones, they can be eaten. Thanks to its composition, mangosteen is able to reduce inflammatory processes in the body: swelling, pain, redness.
Marula
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Marula is a greenish fruit with juicy, unsweetened and tasteless pulp that can ferment. The fruits begin to ferment immediately after ripening, so finding fresh fruit is problematic. However, this does not upset either the inhabitants of Africa or the animals: both of them love to feast on the “alcoholic” fruit.
Guava
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Guava is a pink tropical fruit on the inside and green on the outside. Grows in most tropical and subtropical countries. The original appearance, unfortunately, does not match the taste: you can’t expect anything great from the guava pulp. The taste is reminiscent of an ordinary unsweetened pear, but the aroma and beneficial properties of guava are excellent. It’s worth purchasing such a fruit, if only to satisfy your curiosity.
passion fruit
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Passion fruit is a tropical fruit known in our country rather by name, but not by taste. It is called the “Fruit of Passion” and is considered a natural aphrodisiac. The oval-shaped fruits are yellow, purple, pink or red. The skin is inedible, and the flesh has a jelly-like texture. The taste is not particularly attractive; passion fruit juices and desserts have much richer notes. To eat the fruit, you need to cut it in half and pick it off the skin with a spoon. The most delicious fruits are the ripe ones; you can identify them by the wrinkles and dents on the peel. The birthplace of the fruit is South America.
Coconut
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Coconut is one of the few exotic fruits that is ubiquitous in our supermarkets and grocery stores. However, overripe, tasteless fruits usually end up on our shelves. A ripe, but not overripe coconut has a smooth green shell, and not the “hairy” one that we usually see. “Green” coconut has jelly-like flesh and sweetish milk, which quenches thirst well. As a rule, coconuts are specially opened for tourists and tubes are inserted so that the milk can be easily drunk.
Mammea
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Mammeya is an exotic fruit similar to apricot in appearance and taste. The second name of the fruit is known - “American apricot”. The berry is large, up to 20 centimeters in diameter, the pulp is sweet, similar in taste and aroma to apricot and mango. You can buy it in almost all tropical countries.
Rambutan
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Rambutan is an exotic fruit that looks like a hedgehog, which is also called “Hairy Fruit”. The fruits are red, round, covered with long spine-like shoots. The pulp is transparent white, elastic, jelly-like. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, and the seed is edible. The brighter the color of the peel, the riper the fruit. Grows in Indonesia, India, Thailand, Philippines.
Sapodilla
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Sapodilla is an oval-shaped fruit up to 10 cm in diameter. The fruit is also called tree potato. The color of the peel really resembles potato skins. The pulp is soft and juicy, slightly astringent, like persimmon, but has a caramel flavor. The seeds have a pointed shape, so when consuming you need to be careful not to get them into your throat. It grows in countries with a tropical climate - America, Indonesia, Thailand, India.
Noina
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Noina, or Sugar Apple, is an exotic fruit that looks like a cone. It has not only an original appearance, but also taste. The fruits are lumpy, which makes them look like cones. The pulp of a ripe fruit is very tasty, sweet. The unripe fruit tastes like pumpkin. The fruit grows in Thailand. Due to the uneven, hard peel, but very tender pulp, the fruit can be difficult to cut.
A pineapple
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Pineapples are also tropical fruits that look like cones. Of course, most of us have tried pineapples, even if we didn’t go to exotic countries. But the taste of “our” pineapples, which we see every day on supermarket shelves, cannot be compared with real tropical representatives. They are very juicy, meaty, and have an incredibly rich taste. This fruit can be found in Brazil, China and the Philippines.
Aki
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Ackee is a yellow or red exotic fruit, slightly reminiscent of a pear in shape. But the content does not look like anything else; just look at the photo to be convinced of this. Large black “eyes” are the seeds of the fruit that protrude out along with the pulp when the fruit ripens. The ripe fruit bursts, and its pulp tastes like walnuts. The fruit grows in Brazil, Jamaica and Hawaii.
Now you can easily determine the name of exotic fruits from photos and descriptions if you are lucky enough to visit distant countries. Before you dare try any fruit, look at the picture and name so as not to be disappointed with an unripe or overripe tropical fruit.
Of course, we did not provide the entire list of exotic fruits, but tried to talk about the most popular and interesting representatives of overseas juicy wonders.
