Some Tropical Fruits You May Not Have Tried

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April 2, 2015

Can you come up with a name of a fruit that begins with every letter of the alphabet? Relax, this isn’t a pop quiz, there are literally hundreds of different kinds of fruits out there. So our goal is to introduce you to some of the tropical fruits you may never even heard of, let alone tasted. Let’s meet these exotic fruits.

1. Chocolate sapote (scientific name: Diospyros nigra). These green to deep yellow tomato-like fruits measure 5 to 10cm at their widest diameter. The ripe texture and colour of chocolate sapote is similar to chocolate pudding. This fruit is propagated in different countries like Australia, US and Philippines. Though the tree was originally grown in Mexico and Central America. The vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content of chocolate sapote is about 22mg per cup of the fresh fruit. You can use this fruit as a healthy dip or you can slice them up for a nutritious chocolate-like dessert. Just don’t forget to remove the seeds. Make sure that you keep the scientific names for each bullet point in italics when you add this article to wordpress.
2. Dragon fruit (scientific name: Hylocereus undatus). This Vietnamese fruit has a dramatic appearance and comes from the cactus family of trees. It weighs between 150 to 600g and is yellow or bright pink with green coloured spine-like scales. They can be pear-shaped, elliptical or oval. You may be surprised to find that the impressive outward appearance of dragon fruit doesn’t match up with its taste which most people describe as a sweetish flavour that is somewhat bland. The fruit is usually served with mango in a tropical sorbet. Dragon fruit are abundant in vitamin C which helps promote faster healing and aids in strengthening your immune system against respiratory tract infections. It has high fibre, making you feel full which helps in preventing constipation. You can also eat the seeds which are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids.
3. Cherimoya (scientific name: Annona cherimola). This fruit originates from South America. The fruit measures 10 to 20cm long with a diameter of 7 to 10cm giving it an oval to oblate shape. The skin of the ripe fruit is green and depresses slightly upon pressure when its ripe. The flesh has a creamy texture with a taste described as a mixture of strawberry, papaya, peach, pineapple and banana. You can eat it chilled with a spoon similar to how you eat ice cream. You can also add it to a milkshake or custard. Just don’t eat the seeds okay? They are toxic, though they’re very hard (indigestible) so if accidentally swallowed whole its unlikely to be a problem. Cherimoya is rich in vitamin C and a good source of your B-complex vitamins notably vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Vitamin B6 helps to increase GABA levels, a neurotransmitter which calms nervous tension and irritability.
4. Durian (genus: Durio). People from Southeast Asia (where it originated) regard durian as the “king of fruits”. It’s remembered for its size, thorn-covered husk and strong odour. It can weigh up to 3kg and measure up to 30cm long with a diameter of 15cm. Test yourself when it comes to the smell of this fruit. About 50% of people perceive the smell as revolting, the other 50% smell it as pleasant and sweet. The description of its taste is best left to you. Try the fruit and describe the taste. Aside from containing an abundance of vitamins (vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and C) and minerals (manganese, iron, copper and magnesium), durian contains “nature’s sleeping pill”, the essential amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is metabolised to melatonin and serotonin which are neurochemicals essential for good quality sleep.
5. Pomegranate (scientific name: Punica granatum). This antioxidant rich fruit is thought of as having originated somewhere in the regions stretching from Iran to northern India. The size of the fruit is between a grapefruit and lemon with a thick red skin when ripe. Only the seeds and juice inside are edible. Pomegranates are famous for their high levels of polyphenols (punicalagin) and flavonoids. These are potent antioxidants helping to reduce your risk of developing heart disease and certain cancers. One glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than both green tea and red wine. The seeds are juicy and bursting with sweet flavour.
6. Lychee (scientific name: Litchi chinensis). This fruit originated from Malaysia, Vietnam and China. It has a round to ovoid shape with a pink-red to red skin studded with small bumps. Lychee is rich in vitamin C, supplying a whopping 86% of an adult’s daily requirement per 100g. It’s also rich in the polyphenol, oligonol which helps to protect the body from free radical damage. Most people describe the taste as similar to a fine sorbet.
7. Guava (scientific name: Psidium guajava). These fruit are rich in vitamin C (4x that of an orange), folic acid, polyphenols and dietary fibre. They’re usually round in shape and their colour ranges from green to red with diameters ranging from 4 to 12cm. Their taste can be sour or sweet and they’re believed to have originated from Mexico. Some people consume guava to lose weight because of its said to provide a sense of fullness or satiety very easily.
8. Mangosteen (scientific name: Garcinia mangostana). This purple fruit is believed to have originated from Indonesia. Its taste is sweet, tangy and juicy. It has an average diameter of 7cm. Mangosteen is a shy fruit, having only moderate amounts of your daily vitamins and minerals compared to the other fruit in this list. Nonetheless, it offers an alternative taste to satisfy your hunger and give you variety.
9. Jackfruit (scientific name: Artocarpus heterophyllus). This green fruit from India is actually the largest tree-borne fruit. It can weigh as much as 35kg and measure around 50cm in diameter. The seeds provide protein while the flesh contains good levels of vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, iron and vitamin C. Additionally, its rich dietary fibre content helps to protect you against colon cancer.

Now that you know more about these less common fruits, you can start trying them out and find out which ones you like best. Are you in the 50% who like or hate the smell of the Durian? Try it out and see for yourself. Getting a variety of different coloured fruits and vegetables helps to ensure that you’re getting the daily nutrients for optimal health. Tantilise those taste buds today!