A fruit that was banned from public transportation for being too smelly. A fruit so sour your lips will definitely pucker. And a fruit white and gloppy with big seeds inside. What do they all have in common?
These exotic fruits are all native to the tropics and you'll likely encounter them as you cruise around the world. If you want to try them, be prepared to search. You might find Dragon Fruit in your supermarket, but most of these like to stick with their tropical homes.
2. NARANJILLA
From: South America
How to eat: Cut the fruit into two halves and scoop out the insides.
It¡¯s best in juice or dessert.
Tastes like: Very sour with a pineapple-lemon taste.
The Naranjilla became known to North Americas
as a beverage at the 1939 New York World¡¯s Fair.
3. RAMBUTAN
From: Indonesia and Malaysia
How to eat: Break the shell and crack it open.
Carefully take out the seed and enjoy.
Tastes like: Tart Lychees
Rambutan is also great in cocktails!
4. MANGOSTEEN
From: Southeast Asia
How to eat: Score the rind around the middle and pull the top half off. Eat
the insides like you would an orange.
Tastes like: Sweet with hints of strawberry, vanilla and even caramel.
The Mangosteen Tree can grow to heights
of 75 feet.
5. SOURSOP (GUANABANA)
From: Caribbean, Central America, Northern South America
How to eat: Cut it in half and scoop out the insides. Take out the seeds
and add to your smoothie or ice cream.
Tastes Like: Sweet vanilla and pineapples mixed with citrus notes
Soursop is great in ice cream!
6. PASSION FRUIT
From: South America
How to eat: Scoop out the insides and toss the skin.
Freeze the seeds in ice cube trays for later enjoyment.
Tastes like: Juicy and tart (add sugar)
Make it into a syrup that¡¯s great in cocktails
7. DURIAN
(KING OF FRUITS)
From: Southeast Asia
How to eat: Take a deep breath,
cut it up and eat the pulp inside.
Tastes like: Sweet and creamy.
If you can get past the smell, that is.
Be prepared for a bad smell- the Durian¡¯s smell has gotten
it banned from some hotels and public transportation.
8. DRAGON FRUIT
From: Southeast Asia
How to eat: Cut it in half, scoop out the insides and
cut into chunks. Try adding it to your salad.
Tastes like: Mildly sweet and refreshing - like a
melon
Grows on a cactus that blooms for only
one night per fruit cycle.
9. FEIJOA
From: South America
How to eat: Wash it well and then take a bite! You can
Eat the fruit like an apple or if you prefer to stay away
from the peel cut it in half and scoop out the flesh.
Tastes like: Juicy pineapples and sweet strawberries
Fejioa makes a great and
Refreshing ice cream or sorbet.
10. STAR FRUIT
From: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India
How to eat: Wash it well and cut crosswise
into slices to form a perfect star
Tastes like: Smaller fruits are tart,
larger fruits are very sweet
Star fruit is a great in salads
or dipped in chocolate.
11. PHYSALIS
From: Mexico
How to eat: Remove the husk and eat raw,
toss in salads or use it to make preserves
Tastes like: Sweet, tart and very refreshing
Physalis is similar to a
small tomato or tomatillo.