1. Horned Melon (African Cucumber/Kiwano)
Native to Africa, these horned melons have been compared to the taste of cucumber, zucchini, banana, and lemon. They are now grown in California, New Zealand, Chile, and Australia. It can be eaten at any stage of ripening. Some even eat the peel, which is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.
2. Cherimoya
Thought to be native to the Andes, this interesting fruit is now grown throughout South Asia, Central America, South America, Southern California and more. The flesh of the fruit is soft, sweet, and white with a sorbet-like texture. Mark Twain once said that the cherimoya was "the most delicious fruit known to men." Because of its taste and texture, it has also been nicknamed the custard apple.
3. Soursop (Guanabana/Brazilian Pawpaw)
This fruit is native to Cuba, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and is a cousin to the cherimoya. Its fruit has been described as the cross between pineapple and strawberry. However, the seeds make it difficult to eat the flesh. The pulp is also used to make fruit nectar, smoothies, fruit juice drinks, and other treats. Some even claim it can be used to treat cancer, although there is no scientific evidence to support this idea.
4. Jicama
Native to Mexico, jicama is a root vegetable that has a crisp white flesh. The flavor is sweet and starchy, similar to a mild apple. It is a great source of potassium and vitamin C, and can be eaten raw by itself, on salads, or paired with other seasonings.
5. Langsat
Not the most attractive of fruit, the langsat is actually produced by a tree in the mahogany family. The plant originates in Southeast Asia, and bears small fruit that look a little bit like a cluster of tiny potatoes. The seeds of the fruit are covered in a clear-white flesh that have a sweet and sour taste, almost like a cross between a grape and a grapefruit.
6. Lychee
Lychee is from China but is now popular in many parts of the world. The skin is tough and inedible, but the fruit inside is clear, juicy, and sweet. Interestingly, in the 1st century fresh lychees were in such demand in the Imperial Court in China that a special brigade of fast horses was assigned to retrieve them regularly from Guangdong.
7. Purple Mangosteen
Mangosteen is native to Indonesia and is about the size of a tangerine. The rind is tough and inedible, but the fruit inside is similar to a citrus fruit, and is white and fibrous. The flavor is sweet, tangy, and juicy.
8. Romanesco Broccoli
Romanesco is so similar to cauliflower that it can be substituted in most recipes. The taste is comparable, but romanesco is described as being delicate and nutty in flavor. The big differences are in the appearance and in the texture. Romanesco broccoli is much crunchier than cauliflower.
9. Sapodilla
Sapodilla is native to southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. The flesh ranges from pale yellow to an earthy brown, and has a grainy texture like a ripe pear. The taste when ripe is malty and exceptionally sweet, being compared to candy.
10. Starfruit (Carambola)
This fun-shaped fruit is native to the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and other places. It can be eaten whole ripe or unripe. The riper the fruit, the sweeter it is. It has a waxy skin with a flesh that is comparable to a plum or citrus fruit. The taste can be compared to a cross between an apple and a grape. Starfruit is also rich in antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumis_metuliferus
http://www.womansday.com/cm/womansday/images/AZ/03-African-Cucumber.jpg
http://www.delish.com/food-fun/exotic-fruits-vegetables#slide-1
http://sigonas.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/cherimoya_group_white.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherimoya
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Soursop,_Annona_muricata.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachyrhizus_erosus
http://nutsaboutfruit.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/jicamasm.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lansium_parasiticum
http://greenyatrablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/5-Home-Remedies-For-Moisturizing-The-Skin21.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_mangosteen
https://www.buyfruit.com.au/images/P/Mangosteen__13365.jpg
http://www.marxfoods.com/core/media/media.nl?id=9658&c=659425&h=81bfb3a2bccb3a2cffde
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanesco_broccoli
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manilkara_zapota
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carambola
No comments:
Post a Comment