Snooping Around... Unknown Fruits!

Among the natural products there are a lot quite interesting in their design, and perhaps you have never had the pleasure to savour their exotic taste. Let's do it together with the following descriptions of the less-known fruits around.


KIWANO (Cucmis metuliferus)

The kiwano , also known as Horned Melon, is a plant native of South Africa, but is also grown in New Zealand, France and Italy. It's a melon, with yellow flesh and bumps. Inside it has seeds and a green jelly. Its flavour is bittersweet and aromatic, like a banana mixed with a lemon. This is even used in the aromatization of ice-creams and production of refreshing drinks.

 

 

 

 

 

BUDDHA'S HAND (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus)

This strange Cedar is hugely popular in Asia, and its shape is derived from an abnormality common in this kind of fruit, which is the partition of it into slices. This causes the single parts to develop as separate units. The fruit hasn't got any pulp; for this reason is mainly used as an ornamental plant.

 

 

 

 

DURIAN

The Durian is part of the family of malvaceae, the name comes from the Malay word meaning "thorny fruit". This has the peculiarity of having a sweet taste, but an unpleasant smell. For this reason in his homeland is both loved and hated.

Because of the smell there is a law in Singapore that prohibits its presence on public transports.

His tree reaches 25 meters and the pollination is done by bats.

 

MONSTERA DELICIOSA

The plant of Monstera deliciosa, which we all know, is called "bread tree" in some parts of America. What you can actually eat is the little central corn covered in hexagonal scales, but you must be carefull if you want to consume it. In fact you can eat it when is completely matures or it could release a very irritating substance for the oral mucosa.

 

 

 

 

 

PAW PAW (Asimina triloba)

The Paw-paw is a fruit native of North America and is probably the most known of this list. The flesh has a flavour that is a mixture of banana, mango and pineapple. It was the favourite dessert of George Washington. Is very used in the productions of creams, cakes and other sweets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PITAYA (Hylocereus undatus)

The Pitaya, commonly known as the Dragon fruit,  is a plant of the Cactaceae family, like the prickly pear.  There are also two main types of it: the yellow one, native of Colombia, and the Red one, native of Vietnam.

The flesh has a smooth texture, and a sweet and aromatic taste. It can be eaten using a teaspoon or topped with sugar and lemon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARAMBOLA

Those of you who have ever played "Fruit Ninja" on the IPhone might probably recognise this one.

Also known as "Star Fruit", and the reason of the name is even granted: cutting it into cross sections, you get a five-pointed star ... with an orange shade when the fruit is fully ripe.

The carambola is common throughout the tropical and subtropical zones: from India to Sri Lanka, from Brazil to Guyana, from the Philippines, Polynesia until some parts of West Africa. The curious thing is that it has a smooth, polished skin that feels like is covered in wax!

It has a crunchy texture and incredibly juicy flesh, from which is even produced a very refreshing juice. The flavor of the Carambola, however, remains basically acid, even when fully mature; the taste can be considered a mix of other fruit flavours: lemon, pineapple, plums, melon ... It could be said that it has an interesting taste!

Have you ever tasted these strange fruits? I personally wish to eat at least one of those!!