| The list of exotic and tropical fruits is | | | | America, and is now cultivated in China, the |
| ever-growing and lengthy, here are some key | | | | Phillippines, Israel, Taiwan, and many |
| facts about just a few! Durian Labelled the | | | | Southeast Asian countries. Only growing at |
| "king of fruit," this spiky melon originally | | | | night, the pitaya is also labelled "Queen of |
| hails from the forests of Southeast Asia. | | | | the night." Guava Guavas are native to the |
| Since Durian literally means "thorny fruit" | | | | Caribbean, Central and South Americas, and |
| in Malay, its spiky exterior makes it hard to | | | | Mexico. They grow on trees with tropical |
| attempt opening the fruit, as some consider | | | | shrubs and white flowers, and can be |
| it more dangerous to touch than most cacti. | | | | yellowish-green or red in color. Both have a |
| The inside of a Durian consists of pods that | | | | red juicy flesh on the inside that tastes |
| are filled with a custard-like substance. The | | | | sweet and flavorful, hence why guavas are |
| smell can be strong to the point where some | | | | often particularly used in desserts. With a |
| find it intolerable, but a sign of a ripe | | | | long list of cultivars, the guava fruit |
| Durian is a strong smell that isn't sour. | | | | thrives in humid weather, according to the |
| According to Proscitech.com, "To choose a | | | | Purdue University Horitculture Department. |
| Durian, pick a fruit which is comparatively | | | | Noted for its strong odor, the guava has also |
| light and who's stem appear big and solid. | | | | been cooked and prepared in salads and main |
| When shaking a good Durian, the seed should | | | | courses, in addition to desserts. Some eat |
| move." Durian lends itself well to milk-based | | | | the guava raw by itself, or with cream |
| foods like milkshakes, ice cream, and even | | | | cheese. The fruit can be round or pear-shaped |
| cakes. The custard-like consistency can be | | | | and its seeds can be chewable. Carambola |
| used on its own for a rich dessert. Durian | | | | (Starfruit) The carambola fruit comes from |
| season is typically summertime (from June to | | | | the Carambola trees of Sri Lanka, Indonesia |
| August). They can be found in many mainstream | | | | and other Southeast Asian countries. The |
| supermarkets in the East, particularly in | | | | yellow plasticky skin with distinct green |
| Japan. But in the West, they're often only | | | | edges gets its "starfruit" nickname from the |
| found in Asian groceries and markets. Aside | | | | shape it creates when cut latitudinally |
| from its countries of origin, (Indonesia, | | | | (please tell me it goes without saying that |
| Malaysia, and Brunei), the largest exporter | | | | that would be a star). Carambola is now |
| of the Durian fruit is Thailand. Kiwano | | | | readily available in the United States as it |
| (Horned Melon) The kiwano has taken on so | | | | is commercially grown in both Florida and |
| many different descriptions in its day | | | | Hawaii. Carambolas are crunchy and juicy in |
| ranging from having the seeds of a cucumber, | | | | texture, with a citrusy taste. Some believe |
| the look of a pomegranate, and the smell of a | | | | that carambolas taste similar to apples or |
| banana. The only sure facts about the kiwano | | | | grapes. A significant amount of oxalic acid |
| are that they have yellow skin with spikes | | | | is present in the fruit, which can be |
| throughout, and bright green gelatinous | | | | dangerous for those with kidney trouble. It's |
| insides with seeds throughout. The fruit that | | | | also said that the consumption of starfruit |
| bears such an aptitude of names like melano, | | | | with certain drugs can increase their |
| jelly melon, and others in addition to kiwano | | | | effectiveness, so consumers should be |
| and horned melon, was born in the Kalahari | | | | careful. Starfruit can be used to make wine |
| desert of Africa. Also called the African | | | | in some countries, and in Myanmar is known |
| horned melon, is now also regularly grown in | | | | for being a main ingredient in tea pickles. |
| California and New Zealand. Lychee Another | | | | Mangosteen The mangosteen is seen as a |
| Southeast Asian native, the lychee is part of | | | | precious commodity in the States these days |
| a whole family of small rough nut-shaped | | | | because it wasn't until recently that it |
| fruits. Along with its cousin, the rambutan, | | | | became available. Still very expensive in the |
| the lychee is often red in color with white | | | | West, mangosteens are grown in Southeast |
| gelatinous insides. Used in some desserts, | | | | Asia, along with Durian and many of the other |
| the flavor is sweet and citrusy. The fruits | | | | exotic fruits. One of the interesting facts |
| are harvested during early summer, and are | | | | about mangosteens is that it naturally |
| supposed to be eaten fresh. But, there are | | | | possesses an acid that deters insects. The |
| also such fruits as sun-dried lychees that | | | | sweet flesh is the only edible part of the |
| take the name of lychee nuts. This | | | | mangosteen and is said to be creamy, citrusy, |
| preservation method was the only way lychees | | | | and remniscent of a peach's flavor. "The ripe |
| were consumed prior to 1950, according to | | | | mangosteen is dark red and tastes best if |
| Pitaya (Dragonfruit) A fruit of cactus | | | | harvested before turning purple or |
| plants, the pitaya has a bright reddish pink | | | | blue-black," according to And unlike what |
| leathery skin with green long and curly | | | | you might think, the mangosteen has no |
| spikes protruding from it. The insides are | | | | relation to the mango. Sources: - Tropical |
| white with black specks throughout, making | | | | Fruits Wikipedia entries Purdue University - |
| this fruit one of the most variable in color. | | | | Horticulture Department |
| Some variations of the fruit have red flesh, | | | | |
| or yellow skin. The dragonfruit was | | | | Hillary Marshak is a writer and editor for |
| originally found in Mexico, Central and South | | | | an up and coming recipe sharing Website. |