Unusual Tropical Fruit-Abui, Jaboticaba, Langsat

Colourful and Tasty Fruits Originating From South America and Asia

Aug 29, 2009 Scott Hayden

Mangoes, pineapples, coconuts and lychees are well known to consumers in North America. There are many other fruits that grow exclusively outside this continent.

Travellers venturing to South America and Asia will find fruits that are largely unavailable in North American markets. Their trees are located in warmer, humid climates and the fruits themselves do not survive in cold temperatures. Some of them have names that can't be translated into English, because they are only found in one specific region of the world. This article takes a look at some fruits that many otherwise experienced travellers might have missed.

Exotic Fruits in Brazil

This large South American nation has a staggering variety of tropical fruits, many of which are only seen near or in the Amazon. Here are some that are sure to delight the taste buds.

• Abiu – The fruit from this tree, which can grow to heights of more than one hundred feet, has a bright yellow skin with a pulp that tastes like caramel. It's not only found in Brazil but also in Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

• Jaboticaba – These large, round fruits resemble purple grapes but the skin is tougher and thicker. Native to the Minas Gerais state of Brazil, the average size is one inch in diameter but they can run from 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches depending on the species. The pulp is white with a slightly acidic flavour.

• Rollinia – This large, yellow fruit has a bumpy surface with soft, leathery spines. It belongs to the custard apple family and the tasty flesh has a flavour similar to a lemon meringue pie. It also comes from the Amazon.

• Taperebá – This is a small orange or red coloured fruit with a thin pulp. It's rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins B and C. It's found in the north and northeastern parts of Brazil. The fruit is used to make delicious juices, ice creams and popsicles.

• Cupuaçu – This small to medium sized tree belongs to the cocoa family, therefore the fruit is a relative of chocolate. The rich, creamy pulp is used to make juice, smoothies and jams. The Tikuna tribe of the Amazon has used this fruit as a natural source of caffeine to boost energy levels. Almond shaped and about the size of a cantaloupe, it's an excellent source of fiber.

Exotic Fruits Native to Asia

Spanning several nations like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, tropical fruits from this part of the globe come in many shapes and colours.

• Langsat – This oval-shaped fruit can be found in several countries in Asia from India to Vietnam. Covered with a leathery skin, the flesh is firm and tastes similar to grapefruit. Younger ones are sweeter.

• Salak – Also known as snake fruit because of its brown, scaly skin, it's native to Malaysia and Indonesia. The flesh of this fruit resembles garlic lobes and it tastes close to a pineapple.

• Mabolo – Highly regarded in the Philippines, it's also called velvet apple and is a close relative of the persimmon. The skin is reddish-brown and the flesh has a light shade of pink.

• Carambola – It's called star fruit because of its shape. The fruit is entirely edible with a taste that's described as being a combination of orange, papaya and grapefruit all at once. When it's ready to eat it will be yellow with a slight shade of green. The tree that it grows on is native to India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Sources:

California Rare Fruit Growers (crfg.org)

Australian Tropical Fruits Portal

The copyright of the article Unusual Tropical Fruit-Abui, Jaboticaba, Langsat in Culinary Travel is owned by Scott Hayden. Permission to republish Unusual Tropical Fruit-Abui, Jaboticaba, Langsat in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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