The 10 Exotic Fruits you Must Try!

[wildcherry]

Cooking is a matter of discovering new taste and flavors :). Have anyone tried all of these fruits or even implement all of them in their cooking? Btw I'm a newbie here so please be nice :).

1. Rambutan
Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
Coming from an evergreen tree, the Rambutan fruit resembles the Lychees, have a leathery red skin and are covered with spines. Rambutan is a popular garden fruit tree and one of the most famous in Southeast Asia. The fruit is sweet and juicy, being commonly found in jams or available canned.



2. Jackfruit
Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Jackfruit is a common fruit for Asia and Australia and considered as one of the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The juicy pulp around the seeds have a taste similar to pineapple, but milder. Apart from canned jackfruit, it is also available as sweet chips. The wood of the tree is used for making various musical instruments, while the fruit is a common ingredient for many Asian dishes.


3. Passion Fruit
Native to South America, grown in India, New Zealand, Brazil, etc
The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds, being commonly found in juices to boost their flavors. There are two types of passion fruit: the golden one (maracuyá), similar to a grapefruit and the dark purple passion fruit (gulupa), comparable in terms of size with a lemon. However, the latter ones have been reported as being mildly poisonous.


4. Lychee
Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan
Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture. The fruit has started making its appearance in markets worldwide, refrigerated or canned with its taste intact.


5. Star fruit
Native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka
The star fruit comes from the carambola, a species of tree with pink flowers grown even in the US. The golden-yellow fruit is crunchy, sweet, with a taste of pineapples, apples and kiwis combined. There are two kinds of star fruits - acidulate and sweet, both rich in vitamin C. The fruit is particularly juice, some even making wine out of it.


6. Mangosteen
Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in antioxidants, some scientists even suggesting it can lower risk against certain human diseases, such as cancer. There are even legends about Queen Victoria offering a reward to the one that brings her the fruit.


7. Kumquat
Native to China
The kumquats or cumquats are small edible fruits resembling oranges that grow in a tree related to the Citrus. As with most of the fruits in the Citrus family, the kumquats are eaten raw. They are often used in marmalade and jelly but also in alcoholic drinks such as liquor. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.


8. Durian
Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia
Also known as the “King of Fruits,” Durian has a very particular odor, a unique taste and is covered by a hard husk. Having a disagreeable smell, compared to skunk spray or sewage, the fruit is forbidden in hotels and public transportations in Southeast Asia. Still, the whole experience is worth it, considering the absolutely divine taste of the Durian.


9. Dragon Fruit
Native to Mexico and Central and South America
Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pataya and the yellow pataya. Juice or wine can be obtained from the fruit, while the flowers can be eaten or used for tea.


10. African cucumber
Native to Kalahari Desert, Africa
The African cucumber, horned melon or melano is a fruit that can be best described as melon with horns. It originated in the Kalahari Desert and is now present in California and New Zealand. The dark green pulp reminds one of bananas, limes, passion fruit and cucumber. It is often used for decorating food but also in smoothies and sundaes.

[Reanie525i]

I have tried all but three....now I have something new to try and look for!!!

[larry_stewart]

Ive tried most of them also. I have a friend from Brazil, and im jealous every time she talks about her produce. They have everything we can get up here plus a huge variety of local produce . She has sent me jams and candies that contain some of these fruits, but im sure nothing compares to having the real thing. I would love to travel there, even if to just sample all their fruits ( and to visit her of course too). I wish there was a way I can ship some of those fruits here, but ive searched the internet, and the only exotic fruits available dont include any of the ' really' exotic fruits.

[Reanie525i]

I felt the same way after being in Costa Rica - The Mangos were so much better there then here.. I bought some home on the plane before I knew it was against the law!!! Now when I know someone is going there I ask them to bring some back...If you get the chance to visit Brazil go for it. My Aunt lived there for a few years and loved it.

[larry_stewart]

She lives in Belem, which apparently has the nickname of being the city of mangos. Many of the streets are lined with mango trees, and when it rains, the mangos drop to the ground and people collect them and eat them.

The only thing that drops to the ground here from the trees is bird crap and sap, both terrible on the car. Ive never been out of the USA ( Canada doesnt count) so ive never experienced tropical fruit as it should be experienced. The best i ever did was an aunt brought oranges, grapefruits and lemons from Florida once. Taste was the same, but ****, i never thought lemons could get that big. I had mistaken one for a grapefruit one morning, and found out the hard way.

[mexican mama]

Ive tried Rambutan, jack fruit, durian, passion fruit, star fruit and lychee.....im not a big fan of durian...cant stand the smell but there are durian candies available in Asian groceries....so far i love Jack fruit especially the ripe one and its best to refrigerate it before eating...also you can boil the jack fruit seeds, season it with salt, it's like a bean but bigger...:)...can i add Mangosteen, sugar apples and Lanzones to the list..these are commonly found in Asia like Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines etc...


mangosteen

[mexican mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reanie525i I felt the same way after being in Costa Rica - The Mangos were so much better there then here.. I bought some home on the plane before I knew it was against the law!!! Now when I know someone is going there I ask them to bring some back...If you get the chance to visit Brazil go for it. My Aunt lived there for a few years and loved it.

The best mangoes I had was from the Philippines particularly from Guimaras...they are so sweet and delicious...Sadly, we really cant bring mangoes outside of the Philippines too..been asking my relatives but no sucj luck
Mangoes in the US are just different from other countries/

[GB]

I have tried everything on the list except for Durian and African cucumber.

Coincidentally, yesterday I had the opportunity to try durian for the first time. I have always been curious to taste it, but have never seen it anywhere. I was at a restaurant that has a durian shake. I decided not to get it that time, but some day I will go back and try it.

[Constance]

Don't forget persimmons...many Americans have never tasted them. They taste best after frost.

[mexican mama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB I have tried everything on the list except for Durian and African cucumber. Coincidentally, yesterday I had the opportunity to try durian for the first time. I have always been curious to taste it, but have never seen it anywhere. I was at a restaurant that has a durian shake. I decided not to get it that time, but some day I will go back and try it.

I hope your try it soon...to me its a acquired taste..the taste is better than the smell though...