A man is spoilt for choices when it comes to food and fruit. A casual look-in at the fruit section in the mall will give you the impression that you have a wide variety of fruit choices. But in reality, the abundance of mother nature’s bounty far exceeds the sampling you see in the mall or in the fruit market. The world is full of fruits that will stagger you with its size, shape and colors. Here are 16 exotic fruits that will challenge your imagination and make you salivate.
Ackee or Ackee apple belongs to the soapberry family. The fruit is informally called as “vegetable brain”. As the name suggests, the only the fruit’s inner, brain shaped, yellowish arils are edible. Though originally from West Africa, the fruit migrated to Jamaica in 1778. It is now the national fruit of Jamaica. Apart from Jamaica, Ackee is cultivated in Haiti, Barbados, and Cuba. The fruit is also used in Caribbean cuisine.
Consumption of unripe fruit can cause Jamaican Vomiting Sickness which can lead to coma or death. (source 1, 2)
Rambutan derived from the Malay-Indonesian word ‘Rambut’ means “hairy.” In Vietnam, it is called “Chom Chom.” The fruit is native to Malay-Indonesia and few other Southeast Asian countries. The hairy outer skin is peeled away and the tender, fleshy fruit is consumed by the fruit connoisseurs. Its taste is to grapes – sweet and sour. Rambutan has migrated all around the world. They are now cultivated in Mexico and Hawaii.
According to Purdue University, Rambutans are eaten raw but can be turned into a dessert by stewing it in a clove infused sugar syrup.(source 1, 2)
Physalis are part of the nightshade family. Its fruit, structure and even its acidic taste remind one of tomato. The taste is mild and refreshing and can be substituted for tomatoes. The unusual lantern-like fruit makes it popular among the gardener’s. Physalis goes by many names such as Inca berry, cape gooseberry or simply golden gooseberry. The fruit is native to the Americas and can also be found in South Africa.(source 1,2)
