The world is full of bizarre and exotic treats you’ve probably never heard of. So experiment a little, and try something different. Apples and oranges will look pretty ordinary after you look at these exotic and delicious
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1. Ackee
Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and is found in clusters on evergreen trees. Jamaicans consider the ackee fruit a mixed blessing. If improperly eaten, though, ackee can cause what has been dubbed the Jamaican Vomiting Sickness — which, other than the self-explanatory symptoms, can lead to coma or death. Unripe ackee fruit contains a poison called hypoglycin, so preparers must be careful to wait until the fruit’s protective pods turn red and open naturally. Once open, the only edible portion is the yellow arilli, which surround always-toxic black seeds.
2. Rambutan
Rambutan, a native of Southeast Asia, grows in tropical climates all over the world. The leaves differ from one variety to another, but the hairy or spiky red fruits are unmistakable. Rambut is the Malay word for “hair”. In Costa Rica they are known as “Mamon Chino” or Chinese Sucker for the way the fruit is eaten and that they are like a lychee fruit from China.
3. Jabuticaba
Jabuticaba is a Brazilian grape tree found in the states of Minas Gerias and Sao Paulo, in the south of Brazil. The fruit grows directly from the trunk and branches of the tree, which gives the Jabuticaba tree a very unusual appearance. The fruit itself is a small and round, about 3 to 4 cm in diameter, with one to four large seeds, a thick, deep purple colored skin and a sweet, white or rosy pink gelatinous flesh. Naturally the tree may flower and fruit only once or twice a year, but when continuously irrigated it flowers frequently, and fresh fruit can be available year round in tropical regions.
4. African Horned Cucumber
This strange looking fruit looks like it came from outer space, and in fact, was featured in an episode of Star Trek. However, it’s a very popular snack in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the U.S. This peculiar fruit is also known as the horned melon, jelly melon, hedged gourd, melano, and blowfish fruit. The flavor of the slimy green interior has been described as a cross between cucumber, zucchini, and kiwifruit. Although as it ripens, it tastes more like a banana.
5. Mangosteen
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia that is known for its antioxidants, especially xanthones, a type of chemical in certain plants. Its fruit, including the rind and pulp, can be pureed together and is sometimes sold as a drink. The mangosteen is about the size of a tangerine and has a leathery maroon shell which encases fragrant, snow-white segments of ambrosial flesh. Mangosteens may not legally be imported into the United States. And despite the name, mangosteen is not related to the mango.
6. Cherimoya
The cherimoya is often referred to as the king of fruit. Given that this ancient Incan fruit was originally reserved for royalty, it seems fitting. The cherimoya isn’t very visually captivating, but when sliced open a cherimoya has a fragrant, ivory, custard-like flesh, hence its nickname “custard apple.” When selecting cherimoyas, look for green skin with a gold hue. Some fruits may be tinged with brown, which is ok. However, avoid fruits that are black or shriveled. Allow cherimoyas to ripen at room temperature. A ripe cherimoya, like a ripe avocado, should yield to gentle pressure, and will have a browner skin. They are best eaten as soon as they reach full ripeness; their flavor is most intense when eaten at room temperature or just slightly chilled.
7. Jackfruit
Enormous and prickly on the outside, jackfruit looks somewhat intimidating but once cracked open, you will find pods or “bulbs”. Often referred to as the seeds, these bulbs are actually a kind of fleshy covering for the true seeds or pits, which are round and dark like chesnuts. The fleshy part can be eaten as is, or cut up and cooked. When unripe (green), it is remarkably similar in texture to chicken, making jackfruit an excellent vegetarian substitute for meat. In fact, canned jackfruit is sometimes referred to as “vegetable meat”.
8. PepinoResembling a cross between a melon and a pear, the pepino is a sweet fruit that is related to nightshades such as tomatoes and eggplant. With its beautiful tear-drop shape and purple-streaked satiny-smooth skin, the pepino is an eye-catching little fruit. Common throughout South America, this fruit has been exported as far away as New Zealand and Turkey. It can bear fruit within four to six months of being planted and makes a resilient crop, so it’s a favorable option for farmers who know how to grow it.
