A complete list of delicious exotic fruits and berries with a description. Exotic fruits and berries with names, descriptions and photos Double-pitted fruit

Have you ever wondered what a rich assortment of citrus fruits are? The list, of course, is not endless, but very long. Each variety has its own unique taste, unusual appearance and application. One thing unites all types of citrus fruits - the incredible smell of flowers and fruits. Fruits vary in color, shape, pulp, brightness of taste, but a bright aroma is their calling card.

It is believed that representatives of the citrus family were formed as a result of interspecific crossing. Some citrus fruits obtained naturally, others appeared thanks to the work of breeders. Lime, mandarin, citron and are considered the progenitors of citruses. Various combinations of properties and qualities of these fruits have created the whole variety of sweet and sour, sunny citrus fruits.

Ugli (Uglifruit)

This citrus fruit is a successful hybrid of a mandarin and an orange. J. Sharp grafted a cutting of an unprepossessing plant into sour oranges and obtained a fruit superior in sweetness. He continued grafting until he developed a sugar variety with a minimum number of seeds. 15-20 years after the first experiment, Ugli fell in love in European countries. Today the citrus fruit is grown in Jamaica and Florida from December to April.

The name comes from the English "ugly" and means "ugly". We can safely say that this is the very case when you should not judge by appearance. A yellowish-green wrinkled peel with large pores and orange spots hides a juicy, sweet flesh underneath. The citrus fruit is easy to peel and separates into orange slices with a pleasant bitterness. The taste can be imagined as a combination of cloying tangerine with a noble note of grapefruit bitterness.

Uglifrut grows up to 10-15 cm in diameter. Ripe fruit should be heavy in weight. If, when you click on the spots, the fruit is strongly deformed, it means that it is overripe and has already begun to deteriorate. A special difference is the manufacturer's label or trademark printed on the peel. By the way, for decorative purposes, the tree is grown in tubs around the world, including in Russia.

Ugli's eaten fresh. In cooking, it is used to make marmalade, jams, preserves, salads, yogurt, ice cream, sauces and candied fruits. Juice is used to flavor drinks and create cocktails.

It's hard to believe, but a citrus familiar from childhood is a natural hybrid of mandarin and pomelo. The plant was first discovered as early as 2500 BC. Its homeland is China, from where hundreds of years later the fruit spread to European countries. For this, the orange is also called the Chinese apple. The orange round fruit is protected by a dense skin that hides large grains of pulp.

It is known that lemon and orange are the most consumed and common citrus fruits. Unlike its sour counterpart, the sunny fruit is more often eaten in its natural form, and is also used in cooking for the preparation of candied fruits, salads, desserts, marmalade, jam, as a filling in chocolates and pastries. It is impossible to remain silent about the delicious orange juice, which is one of the most popular drinks in the world. The peel of the fruit is also used in the production of beverages, although alcoholic ones, such as wine or liquor.

Of course, we are mostly familiar with sweet oranges, but there are also bitter (orange), which you will learn about a little later.

King orange or red orange

In addition to the usual, orange, there are bloody oranges. They look very exotic, they are often called beetles. Citrus fruits owe their unusual name to red-colored pulp: from light to saturated. The point is the anthocyanin pigment and its concentration in various varieties. Outwardly, the beetle looks like an orange, it is smaller and has red-orange spots on the porous peel. The pulp contains practically no seeds. The slices are easily separated from each other.

The fruit is a natural mutation of the orange and is similar in taste. Red citrus is eaten fresh or used in salads, smoothies and sweet desserts. Rich juice looks attractive. Most varieties of blood fruit are grown in Mediterranean countries. The most famous of them are Moro, Sanguinello and Tarocco.

Fragrant bergamot is a descendant of bitter orange (orange) and lemon. The birthplace of the fruit is considered to be Southeast Asia. It is named after the Italian city of Bergamo, where the citrus was domesticated.

The pear-shaped, roundish fruit of dark green color is protected by a dense wrinkled peel. Due to the specific bitter-sour taste, fresh fruit is not often eaten. Marmalade and candied fruits are prepared from it, they flavor teas and confectionery. Essential oil with a pleasant refreshing aroma is used in perfumery.

A citrus fruit native to India, a descendant of the citron and lemon. Outwardly, it looks like a round, portly lemon. When rubbed, the leaves exude a delicious smell, similar to the spice of ginger and the freshness of eucalyptus. The yellow-sand smooth peel covers a pale, almost transparent, sour pulp with numerous small bones. Due to its spicy taste, Gayanima is a popular ingredient in marinades in Indian cuisine.

Scientists have long argued as to which citrus fruits were the ancestors of the grapefruit. Ultimately, it is believed that this is a natural hybrid of orange and pomelo. First, the plant was discovered in Barbados in 1650, and a little later in Jamaica, in 1814. Today, citrus has spread to most countries with a suitable subtropical climate. The name comes from the word "grape", which means "grapes". When ripe, the fruits of grapefruit closely gather side by side, resembling bunches of grapes.

A large rounded fruit reaches 10-15 cm in diameter, weighs about 300-500 g. The flesh is hidden under a dense orange shell, divided by bitter partitions. This variety of citrus fruits is varied in the color of sweet grains: from yellow to deep red. It is believed that the redder the flesh, the tastier it is. The number of small bones is minimal, there are representatives with their complete absence.

When choosing a grapefruit, give preference to heavy fruits. The fruit, unlike other citrus fruits, can retain its taste properties for a long time, even when heat treatment. Grapefruit is eaten fresh, used as an ingredient in dishes and drinks: salads, desserts, liqueurs and jams. Delicious spicy candied fruits are made from the peel. The fruit is peeled and freed from partitions, or cut across, after which the pulp is eaten out with a small spoon. The fruit, like juice, due to its composition, is included in the list of products for weight loss.

An intraspecific hybrid of tangerines - dekopon, which is also referred to as sumo, was discovered in Nagasaki in 1972. Citrus is native to Japan, South Korea, Brazil and some US states and is grown in large greenhouses. Fruits mainly in winter. Unlike its ancestors, the citrus fruit is larger in size and is decorated with a large, elongated tubercle at the top. The orange peel is easily separated and peeled off. Beneath it are hidden sweet, poured pitted pulp.

From the name it is clear that citrus comes from India. Outwardly, it looks like a voluminous tangerine with a relief peel and brightly defined slices. The fruit is used in traditional medicine and in spiritual ceremonies. This is one of the oldest ancestors of citrus fruits. Currently considered endangered.

Yekan or anadomican, whose homeland is Japan, is still a mystery to breeders. Many are inclined to believe that this is a hybrid of pomelo and tangerine. The fruit was first discovered in 1886, and has been bred in China for some time.

Yekan can be compared to a grapefruit. The fruits are similar in size, weight and ways of eating. The fruit also has a slight bitterness of the partitions, but the pulp itself is much sweeter. Bright orange, sometimes red anadomican fell in love with the inhabitants of Asia. Farmers have even learned to grow citrus with five corners.

The second name of citrus fruit is estrogen. A separate type of citron, practically does not contain pulp, is used in religious ceremonies. Very large, grows 1.5-2 times the size of a human palm, slightly tapering from the base. The peel is massive, bumpy, elastic. The pulp is slightly sugary, does not have a pronounced aroma.

Indian lime comes from the country of the same name. Also called Palestinian and Colombian limes. The fruit is considered a hybrid of Mexican lime and sweet citron. According to other sources, this is the result of crossing lime and lime. Unfortunately, attempts by scientists to breed this variety in the laboratory have not been successful.

Light yellow fruits are spherical, or vice versa, slightly elongated. Thin smooth peel has a light, subtle smell. The flesh is transparent yellow, slightly sweet, even a little bland in taste, due to the absence of acids. The fruits of this plant are not edible. The tree is used as a rootstock.

Ichandarin (Yuzu)

A very interesting result of the hybridization of sour mandarin (sunki) and Ichan lemon. The ancient citrus plant of China and Tibet is considered an essential ingredient of the national cuisine. Outwardly, Ichandarin (aka Yunos or Yuzu) looks like a green, spherical lemon. The pulp is very sour, with a light tangerine flavor and a refreshing aroma. In cooking, it is used as an alternative to lemon or lime.

The citrus fruit is also called kabusu. It is a hybrid of bitter orange with primitive citrus fruits (papedas). Kabosu is native to China, but the people of Japan also cultivate this plant. The fruit is plucked from the tree as soon as it turns bright green. Outwardly, it is very similar to a lemon. And if you leave it on a branch, the kabusu turns yellow and becomes completely indistinguishable from its citrus counterpart.

Sour fruit - the owner of a transparent amber pulp with a slight lemon aroma and a large number of small, bitter seeds. Vinegar, marinades for fish and meat, seasonings, desserts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are prepared from citrus. Zest is used to flavor confectionery.

Calamansi or musky lime is a citrus fruit, similar in shape to a miniature spherical lime. The taste is clearly felt a combination of mandarin and lemon. It is considered the oldest citrus fruit, which served as an ancestor for many representatives. Valued in the Philippines. The fruit is used in cooking as an alternative to lemon or lime.

Calamondin (Citrofortunella)

Despite the fact that the plant is also called the dwarf orange, there is no direct relationship between citruses. The citrus fruit comes from the mandarin and the kumquat. The tree was discovered in Southeast Asia, spread throughout the world due to its unpretentiousness to temperature conditions. Citrofortunella can be grown at home as an ornamental plant. The fruits are small, round, similar to a small tangerine. Everything in this fruit is edible, even the orange thin peel that protects the sugar pulp. Jam and candied fruits are prepared from juicy mini-citrus with an unusual taste. Juice acts as an excellent marinade and addition to second courses.

The citrus fruit is called the sour orange, for its appearance and properties inherited from its ancestors: lemon and orange. Citrus looks like a weighty wrinkled lemon. Beneath the thick, warm yellow rind is orange flesh with a subtle, subtle citrus scent. Due to the unusual bitter-sour taste, the fruit is not eaten raw. Candied fruits and marmalade are prepared from it, juice is used as a seasoning. Seeds, leaves, flowers and rinds are used as raw materials for the preparation of oils used in cooking and perfumery.

The plant often decorates the urban landscape, or citrus fruits with an underdeveloped root system are moved to it. In folk medicine, karna is considered medicine against diseases of the circulatory, respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

Additional fruit names are Kombava citrus. This citrus with inedible sour pulp reaches about 4 cm in diameter. The dense wrinkled lime-colored zest is extremely rarely used in cooking. It may seem that citrus fruit does not have special significance for humans. This is wrong. The plant is valued mainly for its dark green foliage. Traditional Thai, Indonesian, Cambodian, and also Malay dishes cannot do without it. Tom Yum soup is not possible without fragrant leaves with spicy sourness.

A Japanese citrus fruit grown as an ornamental plant. Bitter orange or canaliculata is the result of crossing an orange and a grapefruit. The sandy-orange fruits are considered inedible for their strong sour and unpleasant bitter taste.

This is the sweetest hybrid of mandarin and orange created by Pierre Clementin in the early 20th century. Outwardly, citrus is similar to tangerine, it is distinguished by a rich saffron color and a matte smoothness of the peel. Juicy, fragrant pulp surpasses its ancestors in sweetness, contains many seeds. The fruits are consumed fresh, in cooking they are used similarly to ancestral fruits.

An unusual citrus fruit is a hybrid of Fingerlime and limandarin Rangupr. Citrus was first discovered in Australia in 1990. Small fruits have a rich red-burgundy color. Blood limes are slightly sweeter than lemons and are eaten fresh and cooked.

Citrus is also called Australian, which is associated with the place of growth. Rounded greenish fruits, thick skin, light, almost transparent flesh. Candied fruits are prepared from the fruit, decorate drinks and get essential oil.

A miniature citrus fruit classified as a separate subgenus Fortunella. , or Kinkan reaches only 4 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter. Citrus originated in Southeast Asia, earning it the name Japanese and Golden orange. In fact, it looks like a small lemon with a rounded top. The slightly acidic flesh is paired with an edible honey rind. The fruit is eaten as an independent product, added to sweet dishes and baked with other products.

Most often, it is the Mexican lime that is mistaken for a representative of this citrus. It is depicted on the labels of drinks and products that include lime. Lime green neat fruit with a very acidic, translucent pulp. much more acidic than lemon, used in cooking for similar purposes. A fragrant essential oil is extracted from the zest and seeds. Ripe fruits always look weighty for their size.

Limetta is still a subject of controversy among breeders and citrus lovers. It is not known which fruits belong to the ancestors of citrus. Sweet or Italian lime is classified as both a lime and a lemon. It is possible that limetta originated from these fruits. The spherical pink-orange fruit is slightly flattened, pointed at the tip. The pulp is sweet, sour, pleasant in aroma. Drinks are prepared from citrus fruit, including alcoholic drinks, canned or turned into dried fruits.

A colorful citrus fruit, also called limonella, is a delicious hybrid of lime and kumquat, obtained in the early 20th century. Small, yellow-green oval fruit originated in China. The peel is edible sweet, the pulp with appetizing bitterness. Citrus makes refreshing drinks, lean dishes with an incredibly pleasant aroma.

Habitual and familiar to everyone, yellow, sour citrus is an ancient natural hybrid, originally from South Asia. There are versions that lemons are descended from lime and citron or orange and lime. In any case, these are healthy citruses - sources of vitamin C. The fruits are oval, yellow, with a narrowed top. Pulp with bones. Acidity varies by variety and growing conditions. There are many options for consuming citrus: eaten raw, preparing marinades, sauces, added to many dishes.

A beautiful, fragrant lemon got its name in honor of the Chinese city of Yichang. This is one of the rare types of citrus fruits that adorn the cities of Europe. Citrus fruit is resistant to adverse climatic conditions, decorated with yellow, light green and orange-orange fruits. Greenish beautiful foliage fits perfectly into the urban landscape. Flat fruits, similar to Kaffir lime, have a rich sour taste, so they are rarely eaten raw. In cooking, it replaces the usual lemon.

Meyer lemon (Meyer) or Chinese lemon is a hybrid of an ordinary lemon with an orange. It was discovered by Frank Meyer at the beginning of the 20th century. In China, citrus fruit is grown at home. Meyer lemon is distinguished by its large size, rich warm color and pleasant taste, appreciated by gourmets around the world.

Limandarin Rangpur

From the name it is clear that this is a hybrid of lemon and tangerine, from which it inherited its taste and appearance, respectively. First found in the city of Rangpur. The plant is used as a rootstock and decorates the urban interior with it. In cooking, it is used as a lemon, serves as an ingredient for the preparation of candied fruits and marmalade, and is added to juices for flavoring.

Otahite is a sweet rangpur discovered in Tahiti in 1813. It has a cloying taste when compared with other limandarins.

Sweet mandarin - a guest from southern China, is now grown in Asia and the Mediterranean countries. The fruit is round, slightly flattened, with a saffron-orange thin skin and sugary flesh. Depending on the variety, color and taste vary. The fruit is eaten fresh, many dishes, sauces and desserts are prepared, drinks and pastries are flavored.

Noble mandarin or royal mandarin

A citrus fruit with a noticeable, memorable appearance. It is a tangor - a hybrid of mandarin and sweet orange. Kunenbo or Cambodian mandarin came from Southwest China and Northeast India. Outwardly, it looks like an “aged” tangerine, a dark orange wrinkled, porous peel fits snugly to the slices, slightly outlining their contour. Rarely found on our shelves. The pulp is very sweet, with a lot of juice and a pleasant aroma. Noble mandarin is eaten on its own, or added to drinks and canned. The peel is used to flavor sweets and liqueurs.

Mandarin Unshio

Like many tangerines, Unshio (Inshiu, Satsuma) appeared in China, from where it spread to the countries of Southeast Asia. Citrus fruit is productive and adapts to low temperatures, therefore it is presented in European countries as an element of landscape design. Many mandarins imported to Russia belong to this variety.

The fruit is yellow-orange in color, round, slightly flattened from the top. The juicy pulp easily separates from a peel, does not contain seeds. Yingshiu is sweeter than regular tangerine, similar in use.

A hybrid of mandarin and kumquat is also called Orangequat. An attractive plant with an alluring sweet fragrance. The fruits are oval in shape, slightly elongated, similar to a kumquat enlarged at times. The sweet, edible rind ranges from orange to deep red-pink. The pulp is juicy, with a pleasant sour taste and slight bitterness. Mandarinokvat has a unique taste, which gives scope for gastronomic use. Marmalade and candied fruits are prepared from it, alcohol is flavored.

One of the representatives of the citron, which will be discussed later. It has a pleasant sweetness and less acidity. It grows in Morocco, ideal for making marmalade and candied fruits.

Delicious citrus fruit, obtained by the labors of breeders in 1931. Named after the city of the same name where it was bred. We can safely say that this is an excellent combination of tangerine and grapefruit. Rounded red-orange fruits with a slightly elongated top, reminiscent in shape. The skin is thin, but strong, easily peeled off. The pulp is sweet and sour, with a small amount of seeds. - a storehouse folic acid necessary for human health. Eaten fresh, squeeze the juice and add to pastries. Essential oil and peel flavor alcoholic beverages.

Citrus with a "murmuring name" is also referred to as honey. Murcott or Marcott was developed by scientists in the United States almost 100 years ago by crossing an orange with a tangerine. Today, the sweet citrus fruit has spread throughout the world and is even grown at home. The fruit is identical to the tangerine, surpassing it in sweetness and aroma. The only drawback is the excessive number of seeds, of which there are about 30. It is mainly used fresh.

Natural descendant of bitter orange and pomelo, found in the 17th century in the land of the rising sun. It looks like a large, elongated pear-shaped lemon. The crusts are light yellow, dense, easy to peel off. The filling is not juicy enough, with a persistent sour taste. Despite the strange gastronomic combination, citrus fruit can be eaten as an independent product.

Despite the name, citrus is not a grapefruit at all. Presumably, this is a descendant of pomelo and grapefruit or natural tangelo. The place of origin is also unknown.

Compared to grapefruit, the fruit is smaller and much sweeter. Thin light green-yellow skin with slight wrinkles, easily removed, exposing fragrant orange-pink flesh. Citrus makes delicious juice. The addition of citrus enriches the taste of dishes with a light, subtle bitterness.

So called the descendants of grapefruit and orange. The most popular representative is Chironha, discovered in the mountains of Puerto Rico in the fifties of the last century. The fruits are lemon-orange in color, the size of a grapefruit, slightly elongated. The pulp is very close to orange in taste. The fruit is canned, candied fruits are made from it, or the pulp is eaten with a small spoon, after cutting it in half.

The famous tangor is the result of a mixture of tangerine and orange, found in 1920 in Jamaica. Citrus fruit is also called tambor and mandora. The fruit is larger than a tangerine, with a thick orange-reddish skin. Pulp with a lot of juice and seeds, at the same time combines the taste qualities of predecessor fruits. Eaten fresh and used in cooking.

One of the memorable, unusual plants, originally from Eastern Australia. Fingerlime resembles a finger or a small thin cucumber: oval, oblong fruit, about 10 cm. Under the thin skin of different colors (from transparent yellow to red-pink), the flesh of the corresponding shade is hidden. The shape of the contents is similar to fish eggs, has a sour taste and a persistent citrus aroma. The original is added to ready-made dishes and decorate them.

Ancient plants that scientists believe are the ancestors of many citrus fruits, including the kumquat and lime. Green fruits with thick wrinkled skin are covered with dark spots. The pulp is dense, rich in aromatic oil, therefore it is inedible. Papeda is resistant to frost, often used for citrus rootstocks with an underdeveloped root system.

A plant with a very interesting origin. Tahiti lime, as it is also called, is the result of crossing three fruits: sweet lemon, grapefruit and micro-citrus. A small rich green oval-shaped fruit with yellow-green flesh. First discovered in the United States, grown in countries with a subtropical climate. Persian lime is used to flavor confectionery and alcoholic products.

A large citrus that came from the shores of Asia and China. It is also called Pompelmus (Portuguese for "swollen lemon") and Sheddock (after the captain who brought the seeds to western India).

The fruit is large, yellow, similar to grapefruit, reaches 10 kg in weight. Under the thick fragrant and oily peel contains a dryish pulp, separated by bitter partitions. The contents are yellow, light green and red. Pompelmus is much sweeter than grapefruit. It is eaten fresh, included as an ingredient in various dishes. Eg, National cuisine China and Thailand is not complete without this product.

So we got to the bitter orange, which is also called Bigaradia and Chinotto. This is a natural hybrid of mandarin and pomelo, inedible due to the specific sour taste. The Asian citrus fruit is mainly valued for its aromatic zest. Today grown in the Mediterranean, found only as cultivated plant. In many countries, the orange has been domesticated and planted in pots, decorate houses and apartments. Round, shriveled fruits are covered with a red-orange skin. It peels off easily, releasing a pleasant lemon-orange flesh. Jam and marmalade are prepared from the fruit, drinks and pastries are flavored with zest. The ground peel is used as a spicy spice. Essential oil is used in medicine, cosmetology, and perfumery.

Citrus fruit is considered the most delicious tangerine in the world, also referred to as Suntara or Golden Citrus. Born in the mountains of India and widely distributed in countries with a suitable hot climate. In some countries it is grown as a houseplant for decoration. Orange smooth fruit with a thin skin and sugar, incredibly fragrant pulp. Eat and use like a normal tangerine.

This plant is the closest relative of the lemon, also called Trifoliata, the wild and rough-skinned lemon. Since ancient times, poncirus has grown in northern China. Frost resistant, often used as rootstock. Small yellow fruits are covered with soft fluff. Elastic, dense skin is peeled off badly. The pulp is oily, strongly bitter, therefore it is not used in cooking.

Rangeron (Tashkent lemon)

A variety of lemons bred in Tashkent, for which it is also called the Tashkent lemon. Smooth, rounded fruit has a pleasant citrus smell with a slight hint of pine needles. Inside and out, the fruit is painted in a warm, rich orange color. The skin is sweet and edible. It tastes like an orange with a delicate sourness.

In fact, these are the names of different fruits. Oroblanco was bred in the USA in 1970 by hybridizing pomelo and grapefruit. In 1984, Israeli scientists recrossed the new plant with a grapefruit and produced a fruit that was superior in sweetness, after which they named Sweety. Both citrus fruits are also referred to as pomelit.

Light yellow or greenish fruits are covered with a bitter, thick peel. The pulp of a delicate, yellow-beige color is divided into slices and framed by a bitter film. Virtually no seeds. Sweets are eaten like a grapefruit, cut in half and taking out sweet grains with a teaspoon. Like many citrus fruits, it is used to prepare unusual dishes and candied fruits. Essential oil is popular for making perfume compositions.

The fruit belongs to the bitter oranges, grows in Seville. Outwardly similar to a mandarin, slightly larger in size. It is not consumed on its own due to an unpleasant taste. It is used for the preparation of marmalade, flavoring of alcoholic products, and also as a rootstock.

Japanese citrus fruit obtained by combining paped and tangerine. Sudachi looks like a slightly rounded, green mandarin, covered with a dense peel. The pulp is comparable to a lime: light green, juicy, overly acidic. Juice is used instead of vinegar, marinades and sauces are prepared from it, drinks and desserts are flavored.

A very sour tangerine that comes from China. Small citrus fruits are flattened, packed in an orange-yellow thin skin. The pulp is very acidic, therefore it is not used in its natural form, it serves as a product for the preparation of desserts, marinades and candied fruits. The Sunkata tree is used as a rootstock.

A group of citrus fruits derived from sweet mandarin (tangerine) and orange is called Tangor. The most famous representatives - Ortanik and Murcott are described in detail in the article.

It is worth saying that "tangerine" does not apply to botanical terms and plant classification. This is a variety of very sweet tangerines grown in China and the United States. The fruit is rich orange in color, easily peeled from a thin peel. The pulp is juicy, pitted. Eat and use like a normal tangerine.

Citrus fruits, which appeared from tangerine (sweet tangerine) and grapefruit, are called Tangelo. The first plant was obtained in 1897 in the states. One of the brightest representatives is Mineola. Most Tangelos do not grow naturally and require hand pollination. All fruits are large in size and have a sweet taste.

Descendant of orange and mandarin, bred on the island of Taiwan. It is considered the most delicious oriental citrus. Tankan differs from mandarin in bright red color. The skin is thin and easy to peel off. The pulp is slightly sugary, juicy, smells delicious. Citrus fruit is used in Japanese cuisine.

Thomasville (Citranzhquat)

The name itself indicates the ancestors of the plant. Obviously, this is a descendant of kumquat and citrange. The first fruits were obtained in 1923, in the US city of the same name. The citrus fruit looks like a small, pear-shaped lemon with a thin skin. It can be used in different ways, depending on the degree of maturity. Ripe fruits, similar in taste to lime, are used in a similar way. Replace lemon with green citranium.

African cherry oranges are also called Citropsis, Frocitrus. The plant lives in Africa. Small orange fruits resemble tangerines, they smell very tasty. The pulp hides from 1 to 3 large seeds. Citrus fruit is consumed like mandarin, used in folk medicine in Africa. Also, this plant is considered the strongest aphrodisiac.

The result of the hybridization of lemon and tangerine, the appearance and taste of which confuses many people. The fruit looks like an orange lemon, and tastes like a sweet and sour tangerine. Like both parents, it is used in cooking.

Another interesting citrus fruit derived from sweet orange and poncirus. Citrange is similar to citrandarine, slightly larger, with a smooth surface. The taste is not the most pleasant, so the fruit is not eaten fresh. It serves as a raw material for the preparation of jam and marmalade.

One of the oldest citrus fruits with the largest fruits and thickest skin. Cedrat, as it is called, was the first citrus brought to Europe.

The citrus fruit looks like a large, elongated lemon with a characteristic soft color. The peel reaches 2-5 cm, occupies about half of the volume. The pulp is sour, cloying or slightly bitter can be felt. Fresh fruit is usually not eaten. The filling is suitable for making jam, and the massive shell goes for candied fruits. An essential oil is also obtained from citron, which is used in many industries.

The original and memorable citron "Buddha's fingers". Due to an unknown anomaly, the fruit sprouts do not fuse together, forming a fruit that looks like a human hand. Fruits of yellow-beige color contain many seeds and a minimum of pulp. The fruit smells very good. Candied fruits, marmalade and jam are prepared from the zest, grind it and add it as a seasoning to the main dishes.

Japanese citrus with a very interesting taste, the result of crossing tangerine and grapefruit. Large lemon-colored fruits with a very thick skin. The pulp is sour, does not have sweetness, but on the contrary, it is slightly bitter due to partitions. The fruit is eaten fresh, like grapefruit.

Citrus halimii

Citrus halimii (Mountain Citron) is a very little known fruit from Southeast Asia. It grows in the Malaysian peninsula and the adjacent peninsula of Thailand and some isolated Indonesian islands. It contains sour fruits. In Thailand, it grows in the rain forests of the southern regions between altitudes of 900 to 1800 m. In fact, this fruit was identified by botanists not so long ago. It was described for the first time in 1973.

Medieval tree up to 10 m high with rosehip thorns. The leaves are oval, 8-15 cm long. Flowers white, fragrant, 1-2 cm. Fruits are round, small 5-7 cm wide, edible, sour, thick, 6 mm, tightly connected to the flesh, orange at maturity, yellow-green segments, flesh less juicy. Seeds are large, up to 2 cm, many.

Mountain citrus fruits are sour. They are used as nutrients such as lemons in salads and other culinary preparations in Southeast Asia. Mountain citron is collected only from wild ones. It is not cultivated. Many times people simply protect the plant to have in their home gardens.

Only the most timid traveler, finding himself in an exotic country, embarrassed by the appearance, smell or name, will refuse to try some unfamiliar fruit. Accustomed to apples and oranges, tourists can hardly force themselves to bite off a piece of mangosteen, durian or herring. Meanwhile, it is the gastronomic revelation that can become one of the most vivid impressions of the entire trip.

Below are exotic fruits from different countries - with a photo, description and English equivalents of names.

Durian

The fruits of durian - "a fruit with the taste of heaven and the smell of hell" - are irregular oval in shape, with very sharp thorns. Under the skin - viscous pulp with a unique taste. The “king of fruits” has a strong ammonium smell, so strong that durian is forbidden to be transported on airplanes and carried into hotel rooms, as evidenced by the relevant posters and signs at the entrance. Thailand's most fragrant and most exotic fruit is very rich in vitamins and nutrients.

A few rules for those who want to taste (by no means try!) Durian:

• Do not try to choose the fruit yourself, especially in the off season. Ask the seller about this, let him cut and pack it in a transparent film. Or find already packaged fruit in the supermarket.
• Lightly press down on the pulp. It should not be elastic, but easily slip under the fingers, as butter. Elastic pulp already smells unpleasant.
• It is undesirable to combine with alcohol, since the pulp of durian acts on the body as a stimulant of great power. Thais believe that durian warms the body, and a Thai proverb says that the "heat" of durian can be tempered with the coolness of mangosteen.

Where to try: Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia.

Season: April to September, depending on the region.

Mangosteen

Other names are mangosteen, mangosteen. It is a delicate fruit with thick purple skin and round leaves at the stem. The white flesh resembles a peeled orange and has an indescribable sweet and sour taste. Inside the mangosteen are six or more soft white slices: the more there are, the fewer seeds. To choose the right mangosteen, you need to take the most purple fruits in your hand and gently squeeze: the peel should not be hard, but not very soft either. If the skin breaks unevenly in different places, the fetus is already stale. You can open the fruit by making a hole in the peel with a knife and fingers. Do not try to take the slices with your hands: the pulp is so tender that you just crush it. Handles transportation well.

Where to try: Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica.

Season:

Jackfruit

Other names are Indian breadfruit, eve. It is a large fruit with thick, spiky, yellow-green skin. The pulp is yellow, sweet, with an unusual smell and taste of a Duchesse pear. The segments are separated from each other and sold in bags. The ripened pulp is eaten fresh, the unripe is cooked. Jackfruit is mixed with other fruits, added to ice cream, coconut milk. The seeds are edible when boiled.

Where to try: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore.

Season: January to August, depending on the region.

Lychee (Lychee)

Other names are litchi, Chinese plum. The heart-shaped or round fruit grows in clusters. Under the bright red skin is a white transparent pulp, juicy and sweet in taste. In the off-season in Asian countries, these tropical fruits sold in canned or in plastic bags.

Where to try: Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Australia, China.

Season: from May to July.

Mango

One of the most popular fruits in all tropical countries. The fruits are large, ovoid, elongated or spherical in shape. The pulp is yellow and orange, juicy, sweet. The smell of mango resembles the aroma of apricot, rose, melon, lemon. Unripe green fruits are also eaten - they are eaten with salt and pepper. It is convenient to peel the fruit with a sharp knife.

Where to try: Philippines, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba.

Season: year-round; peak in Thailand from March to May, in Vietnam in winter and spring, in Indonesia from September to December.

Papaya

Large fruit with yellow-green skin. The cylindrical fruits of exotic fruits reach 20 centimeters in length. Taste is a cross between melon and pumpkin. Ripe papaya has bright orange flesh that is extraordinarily tender and pleasant to eat and aids in digestion. Unripe papaya is added to a spicy Thai salad (som tam), it is fried, and meat is stewed with it.

Where to try: India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bali, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia.

Season: all year round.

Longan

Other names are lam-yai, "dragon's eye". It is a round, brown fruit that looks like a small potato. Very sweet and juicy and high in calories. Easily peelable skin covers a transparent white or pink pulp, close in consistency to jelly. In the core of the fruit is a large black bone. Longan is good for health, but you should not eat a lot at once: this will lead to an increase in body temperature.

Where to try: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China.

Season: mid-June to mid-September.

Rambutan

Rambutan is one of the most famous tropical fruits, which is characterized by "increased hairiness." Under the red fleecy skin lies a white translucent flesh with a sweet taste. To get to it, you need to "twist" the fruit in the middle. The fruits are eaten fresh or canned with sugar. Raw seeds are poisonous, while roasted seeds are harmless. When choosing, you need to be guided by color: the pinker, the better.

Where to try: Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, partly Colombia, Ecuador, Cuba.

Season: mid-April to mid-October.

Pitaya

Other names are pitahaya, long yang, "dragon fruit", "dragon fruit". This is the fruit of a cactus from the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitaya). Very beautiful in appearance: bright pink, the size of a large apple, slightly elongated. The peel is covered with large scales, the edges are green. If you remove the skin (as in the case of an orange), inside you can see a dense white, red or purple flesh with many small seeds. Good in fruit cocktails in combination with lime.

Where to try: Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, partially Japan, USA, Australia, Israel.

Season: all year round.

Carambola (Carambola)

Other names are "tropical stars", starfruit, kamrak. Its yellow or green fruits are similar in size and shape to sweet peppers. On the cut, they have the shape of a star - hence the name. Ripe fruits are juicy, with a slight floral taste, not very sweet. Unripe fruits contain a lot of vitamin C. They are good in salads and smoothies, they do not need to be peeled.

Where to try: Borneo island, Thailand, Indonesia.

Season: all year round.

Pomelo

This fruit has a lot of names - pomelo, pamela, pompelmus, Chinese grapefruit, sheddock, etc. The citrus fruit looks like a huge grapefruit with white, pink or yellow pulp, which, however, is much sweeter. It is widely used in cooking and cosmetology. The smell is the best guide when buying: the stronger it is, the more concentrated, rich and fresh the taste of the pomelo will be.

Where to try: Malaysia, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Tahiti, Israel, USA.

Season: all year round.

Guava

Other names are guava, guava. Round, oblong or pear-shaped fruit (4 to 15 centimeters) with white flesh and yellow hard seeds. Edible from skin to bone. When ripe, the fruit turns yellow, and it is eaten with the peel - to improve digestion and stimulate the heart. Unripe, it is eaten like a green mango, sprinkled with spices and salt.

Where to try: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Tunisia.

Season: all year round.

Sapodilla (Sapodilla)

Other names are sapotilla, tree potato, akhra, chicu. A fruit that looks like a kiwi or a plum. The ripe fruit has a milky-caramel taste. Sapodilla can "knit" a little, like a persimmon. Most often it is used for making desserts and salads. Unripe fruits are used in cosmetology and traditional medicine.

Where to try: Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, USA (Hawaii).

Season: from September to December.

Sugar Apple

A very useful pale green fruit. Under the pronouncedly bumpy marsh-green skin, sweet, fragrant flesh and bean-sized seeds are hidden. Aroma with barely perceptible coniferous notes. Ripe fruits are moderately soft to the touch, unripe - hard, overripe falling apart in the hands. Serves as the basis for Thai ice cream.

Where to try: Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, China.

Season: from June to September.

Chompoo

Other names are rose apple, Malabar plum. It is shaped like a sweet pepper. It comes in both pink and light green. The pulp is white, dense. It is not necessary to clean it, there are no bones. The taste is not particularly distinguished by anything and resembles more slightly sweetened water. But when chilled, these tropical fruits quench their thirst well.

Where to try: India, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Colombia.

Season: all year round.

Aki (Ackee)

Aki, or bligia delicious, is pear-shaped with a red-yellow or orange skin. After full ripening, the fruit bursts, and a creamy pulp with large glossy seeds comes out. These are the most dangerous exotic fruits in the world: unripe (unopened) fruits are highly poisonous due to the high content of toxins. They can only be eaten after special treatment, such as prolonged boiling. Aki tastes like a walnut. In West Africa, soap is made from the skin of the unripe fruit, and the pulp is used to catch fish.

Where to try: USA (Hawaii), Jamaica, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Australia.

Season: January to March and June to August.

Ambarella (Ambarella)

Other names are Cythera apple, yellow plum, Polynesian plum, sweet mombin. Oval fruits of golden color with a thin hard peel are collected in clusters. Inside - crispy, juicy, yellow flesh and hard bone with thorns. It tastes like a cross between pineapple and mango. Ripe fruits are eaten raw, juices, jams, marmalade are prepared from them, unripe fruits are used as a side dish, added to soups.

Where to try: Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Fiji, Australia, Jamaica, Venezuela, Brazil, Suriname.

Season: from July to August.

Bam-balan (Bambangan)

Winner in the nomination "The most native taste". Bam-balan resembles borscht with sour cream or mayonnaise. The fruit is oval in shape, dark in color, the smell is a bit harsh. To get to the pulp, you just need to remove the skin. Fruit is also added to garnishes.

Where to try: Borneo island (Malaysian part).

Salak (Salak)

Other names are lard, herring, rakum, "snake fruit". Round or oblong small fruits grow in clusters. Color - red or brown. The peel is covered with small spines and can be easily removed with a knife. There are three sweet segments inside. The taste is rich, sweet and sour, reminiscent of either persimmon or pear.

Where to try: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Season: all year round.

Bael (Bael)

Other names are tree apple, stone apple, Bengal quince. When ripe, the gray-green fruit turns yellow or brown. The peel is dense, just like a nut, and it is impossible to get to it without a hammer, so the pulp itself is most often sold in the markets. It is yellow, with fleecy seeds, divided into segments. Bail is eaten fresh or dried. It is also used to make tea and sharbat drink. The fruit has an irritating effect on the throat, causing itching, so the first experience of interacting with bail may be unsuccessful.

Where to try: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand.

Season: from November to December.

Kiwano

Also - horned melon, African cucumber, horned cucumber. When ripe, the shell is covered with yellow spikes, and the flesh becomes a rich green color. Oblong fruits are not peeled, but cut like a melon or watermelon. Taste is a mix of banana, melon, cucumber, kiwi and avocado. In other words, it can be added to both sweet and spicy dishes, as well as pickled. Unripe fruits are also edible.

Where to try: Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Israel, USA (California).

Season: all year round.

Magic Fruit (Miracle Fruit)

Other names are wonderful berries, sweet puteria. The name of the exotic fruit was deservedly deserved. The taste of the fruit itself does not stand out in any way, but for an hour it will seem to a person that everything he eats after is sweet. Taste buds are deceived by a special protein found in magical fruits, miraculin. Sweet foods seem tasteless.

Where to try: West Africa, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Australia, USA (South Florida).

Season: all year round.

Tamarind (Tamarind)

Tamarind, or Indian date, belongs to the legume family, but it is also consumed as a fruit. Curved fruits up to 15 centimeters long with brown skin and sweet and sour pulp. It is used as a spice, is part of the famous Worcestershire sauce and is used to prepare snacks, desserts and various drinks. Sweets are prepared from ripe dried tamarind. As a souvenir, tourists bring home meat sauce and cocktail syrup based on Indian dates.

Where to try: Thailand, Australia, Sudan, Cameroon, Oman, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama.

Season: from October to February.

Marula (Marula)

Fresh marula is found exclusively on the African continent, and all because after ripening, the fruits begin to ferment in a matter of days. It turns out such a low-alcohol drink (you can meet elephants “drunk” from marula). Ripe fruits are yellow in color and look like plums. The flesh is white, with a hard bone. Until the fermentation process begins, it has a pleasant aroma and unsweetened taste.

Where to try: South Africa (Mauritius, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Botswana, etc.)

Season: since March.

Kumquat (Kumquat)

Other names are Japanese orange, fortunella, kinkan, golden apple. The fruits are small, really look like mini-oranges, the crust is very thin. Edible whole, excluding bones. It tastes a little sourer than an orange, smells like a lime.

Where to try: China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Greece (Corfu), USA (Florida).

Season: from May to June, on sale all year round.

Citron (Citron)

Other names are Buddha's hand, cedrat, Corsican lemon. A trivial content is hidden behind external originality: oblong fruits are an almost continuous peel, reminiscent of lemon in taste and violet in smell. It can only be used for making compotes, jellies and candied fruits. Often the hand of the Buddha is planted in a pot as an ornamental plant.

Where to try: China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, India.

Season: from October to December.

Pepino (Pepino Dulce)

Also - sweet cucumber, melon pear. Formally, this is a berry, although it is very large. The fruits are varied, come in different sizes, shapes and colors, some have a bright yellow color with red or purple strokes. The pulp tastes like melon, pumpkin and cucumber. Overripe pepino are not tasty, just like unripe ones.

Where to try: Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Indonesia.

Season: all year round.

Mameya (Mamey)

Other names are sapota. The fruit is small, round. Inside - orange pulp, to taste, as you might guess, resembles an apricot. It is added to pies and cakes, canned, and jelly is prepared from unripe fruits.

Where to try: Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Antilles, USA (Florida, Hawaii), Southeast Asia.

Naranjilla

Other names are naranjilla, lulo, the golden fruit of the Andes. Outwardly, naranjilla looks like a shaggy tomato, although it tastes like pineapple and strawberries. Juice with pulp is used to make fruit salads, ice cream, yogurt, biscuits, sweet sauces and cocktails.

Where to try: Venezuela, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile.

Season: from September to November.

Soursop (Soursop)

Also - annona, guanabana, graviola. One of the largest tropical fruits on the planet: the weight of the fruit can reach 7 kilograms. The fruits are oval or heart-shaped, the peel is hard, covered with soft spines. The flesh is creamy white, tastes like lemonade, with a pleasant sourness. Used to make smoothies, juices, purees, sherbets and ice creams. Black seeds are poisonous.

Where to try: Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico, Peru, Argentina.

Season:

Also Jaboticaba, a Brazilian grape tree. The fruits, which look like grapes or currants, grow in clusters on trunks and main branches. The skin is bitter. Juices, alcoholic drinks, jelly, marmalade are made from the pulp.

Where to try: Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, Philippines.

Season: from April to the end of October.

Curuba

Unripe green fruits clearly resemble cucumbers, only larger. When ripe, they become bright yellow. The orange-brown flesh is sour, aromatic, with small seeds. Kuruba perfectly quenches thirst. Juice, jam, jelly, wine, salads are made from the pulp.

Where to try: Bolivia, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, India, New Zealand.

Season: all year round, in India and New Zealand from March to November.

Cupuaçu

Juicy and fragrant fruits are shaped like a melon, reach a length of 25 centimeters, a width of 12 centimeters. The skin is slightly hard, red-brown. The flesh is white, sour-sweet, the seeds are arranged in five nests. It is eaten fresh and used to make juices, yoghurts, liqueurs, jams, sweets and chocolates. It is believed that the most delicious cupuaçu is the one that fell to the ground.

Where to try: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Colombia.

Season: all year round.

Marang

Marang fruits are elongated, thick skin covered with thorns that harden as they ripen. Inside - white slices with seeds, are quite large, with a third of the palm. Everyone describes the taste in their own way. So, some are sure that it resembles a sundae in a waffle cup, others that it resembles marshmallow. Others can't describe their feelings at all. Marang is not exported because it spoils instantly. If the dents do not straighten out when pressed, it must be eaten urgently. If the fetus is slightly squeezable, it should be allowed to lie down for a couple of days. Marang is usually eaten fresh but is also used in desserts and cocktails. The seeds are roasted or boiled.

Where to try: Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Borneo, Australia.

Season: from August to the end of April.

fruits of thailand

Fruit is sold all year round, although in the off season mangosteen, for example, is not very common, and pineapples are twice as expensive. You can buy in the markets, from street stalls, from merchants with mobile carts.

Pineapple, banana, guava, jackfruit, durian, melon, carambola, coconut, lychee, longan, longkong, mango, mangosteen, tangerine, mapla, noina, papaya, pitaya, pomelo, rambutan, herring, sapodilla, tamarind, jujube.

Fruits of Vietnam

Vietnam, one of the largest suppliers of fruits in the world market, can seriously compete even with Thailand. Most fruit in the south of Vietnam. In the off season, prices for especially exotic fruits can increase by 2-3 times.

Avocado, pineapple, watermelon, banana, guava, jackfruit, durian, melon, star apple, green orange, carambola, coconut, lychee, longan, mango, mangosteen, tangerine, passion fruit, milk apple, mombin, noina, papaya, pitahaya, rambutan , rose apple, sapodilla, tangerine, citron.

fruits of india

India is located in several climatic zones at once, which creates favorable conditions for growing fruits that are characteristic of both tropical and temperate zones (highlands). On the shelves you can find familiar apples, peaches and grapes and exotic coconuts, papaya and sapodilla.

Avocado, pineapple, anonna (cherimoya), watermelon, banana, guava, guava, jackfruit, fig, carambola, coconut, mango, tangerine, passion fruit, papaya, sapodilla, tamarind.

Egyptian fruits

Harvest in Egypt is harvested in spring and autumn, so the "season" of fruit is almost always here. The exception is the border periods, for example, early spring, when the "winter" fruits have already departed, and the "summer" ones are just on the way.

Apricot, quince, orange, watermelon, banana, grape, pomegranate, grapefruit, pear, guava, melon, fig, cantaloupe, carambola, kiwi, red banana, lemon, mango, marania, medlar, pepino, peach, pitaya, pomelo, sugar apple, physalis, date, persimmon.

Fruits in Cuba

In contrast to the same Egypt, the seasons in Cuba are expressed much more clearly. All year round you can buy pineapples, oranges, bananas, guava, papaya. In July-August, the most delicious mangoes, in the summer the season of mamonchillo, cherimoya, carambola and avocado also starts, in the spring - coconuts, watermelons, grapefruits.

Avocado, Pineapple, Annona, Orange, Banana, Barbados Cherry, Grapefruit, Guava, Caimito, Carambola, Coconut, Lime, Lemon, Mamonchillo, Mango, Passion Fruit, Papaya, Sapodilla, Tamarind, Cherimoya.

Fruit in the Dominican Republic

In the tropical Dominican Republic, there are predictably a lot of fruits: from the most familiar ones like bananas and pineapples to exotic ones - granadillas, mamonchillos and sapots.

Avocado, pineapple, annona, watermelon, banana, granadilla, pomegranate, grapefruit, guanabana, melon, caimito, kiwi, coconut, mamonchillo, mammon, mango, passionfruit, sea grapes, medlar, noni, papaya, pitahaya, sapota.

Traveling abroad means getting to know more than just gorgeous landscapes and culture. Outlandish overseas fruits and unusual berries will help to create a complete taste picture about the location. It is easier to choose from the variety of offers you like with the help of the description.

Avocado

Considered a fruit. The taste is more inclined towards a vegetable, namely pumpkin with hints of an unripe pear with a nutty tinge. Ripeness is determined by the degree of softness. Has a large bone inside. The peel is not edible. Sizes up to 20 centimeters. The soft, oily flesh is eaten raw. Butchering is the removal of the skin and bone. You can try in Vietnam, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic

Aki

Visually similar to a red-yellow or orange pear. Ripe fruits (immature poisonous) are consumed thermally processed, the taste resembles a walnut. Maturity is determined by the openness of the fruit - a ripe one bursts, and the pulp protrudes. It is offered to feast in Brazil, Jamaica, Hawaii.

Ambarella

It has the shape of an oval golden color. Grows in clusters. Rigid rind on the outside, hard prickly bone on the inside. The pulp is sweet, juicy, taste with mango and pineapple notes. Places of growth: India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines.

pineapples

The taste is not comparable to those sold in Russia - juicy, fleshy, sweet and sour fruits with a bright aroma. Sizes from an average apple to the usual for us. You should choose a pineapple of medium hardness - the pulp will definitely be tasty. It will be possible to take a sample in Brazil, China, the Philippines.

Bail (tree apple)

Fruit with hard skin. Only a hammer will help to divide it in half. On sale is often presented cut. Flesh with hairs, yellow, irritating to the throat. It will be possible to see on sale in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka.

bam-balan

The taste of the fruit resembles borscht with mayonnaise and sour cream. The smell is specific. Cleaning is to free from the crust. They can offer a curiosity on the island of Borneo from the Malaysian side.

banana pink

A miniature species up to 8 centimeters in size with a thick peel. The skin of ripe pink bananas bursts, revealing pulp with many seeds. An unpretentious plant that can be grown even at home. Widespread throughout many warm countries.

crowberry

Berry with a black color and a neutral taste (not sweet and not sour), similar to lingonberries. It looks like a blueberry. It is possible to try it in the countries of the northern hemisphere - Korea, Japan, Canada, the USA, China and even Russia.

Eye of the Dragon

Round brown fruit. The skin and the bone inside are not edible. The consistency is jelly-like, transparent white. The taste is bright, sweet. Big calorie content. Excessive consumption may increase the temperature. You can buy in Thailand, China, Cambodia, Vietnam.

Strawberry Guava (Cattleya)

Fruits are yellow to red. The size reaches a diameter of 4 centimeters. Juicy, sweet strawberry flavored guavas are exotic fruits from India, Africa, Bermuda, and America.

Guanabana (soursop)

Fruit with a mass of 3 to 7 kilograms. The shape is round, oval. The green surface of the soursop is covered with processes in the form of soft bells. Inside is white, soft, with a taste reminiscent of citro with sourness. The ripe fruit is pressed with a finger. You will be able to eat in the Bahamas, in Mexico, Peru, Argentina.

Jaboticaba

Fruits that grow on poles and branches. Grows in clusters. They look like black grapes. The skin is bitter and unfit for consumption. The pulp is like a transparent jelly, sweet, with seeds. Grows in Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Cuba, Peru.

Jackfruit

A large green fruit, weighing up to 34 kilograms. It should be purchased already cut. Yellow slices have the taste of melon and duchesse. Possible allergic reaction and difficulty swallowing. The symptom goes away after a few hours. It grows in Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand.

durian

The king of fruits. It has a specific smell of a mixture of onions, garlic and dirty socks. The pulp is soft, sweet and healthy. You should buy cut slices. A whole durian reaches a large size and is covered with thorns. Due to the smell, you can not eat in public places and transport in transport. You can taste the curiosity in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia.

Imbe (African Mango)

Exotic tree with orange fruits. The size is small - up to 3 centimeters. The taste is bright, rich, sweet and sour. Has a coloring effect. You can try in Africa.

figs

The fruit is pear-shaped and blue-violet in color. Weight varies between 80 grams and 8 centimeters in diameter. The skin can be eaten. The taste is juicy, watery, reminiscent of strawberries with an admixture of blackcurrant. You can eat in the Mediterranean countries, the Crimea and Central Asia.

Spanish lime (Giseps)

It looks like a familiar lime only in shape. It looks light green, the peel is not edible, pleasantly sweet inside with a bone. You can eat by removing the tip of the peel and squeezing. Found in Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia.

carambola

Yellow-green star-shaped fruit. It has a smooth skin that is edible. The taste is bright, with hints of a flower, similar to an apple. Inside there are seeds that are edible. You can see it on the shelves of Thailand and Indonesia.

Kiwano

Oblong fruit of bright yellow color. The ripened fruit is covered with yellow-orange horns and bright green inside. The cut looks like a cucumber. The taste is a combination of melon, avocado, banana and cucumber. They eat the pulp, cutting the fruit like a watermelon. You can try in New Zealand, Africa, Chile, Israel.

Kiwi

Looks like a hairy potato on the outside and a gooseberry on the inside. Size up to 80 grams and 7 centimeters. The flesh varies from yellow to green with edible black seeds. Choose soft, smooth fruits. The taste is similar to strawberry. Growing countries: Chile, Italy, Greece, Krasnodar region of Russia.

Coconut

Round, large fruit, reaching 3 kilograms. According to the degree of maturity, it is divided into young and overripe. A young coconut has a tender skin, juicy flesh and milk/juice inside the shell. Overripe coconuts have a hairy surface, a cloudy liquid inside, and a tough inside. The second are found in the countries of importation. Growing countries: Thailand, Vietnam, India.

Kumquat

Exotic fruits China predominantly. Small citrus fruits 2-4 centimeters long. Inside they have inedible bones. Eaten with skins. The taste is similar to orange, but more sour. You can also try in Japan and Southeast Asia.

Cupuaçu

Melon shaped fruit. Covered with a red-brown hard crust. The inside is white, sweet-sour with seeds. The most delicious is the fruit that left the tree itself. The trees are located in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia.

Kuruba

Fruit in the form of a cucumber on the outside and corn inside. The ripe color of the fruit is bright yellow. Fiery orange flesh inside. The taste is juicy, sweet, with sour notes. Contains a lot of water. Grows in Bolivia, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina.

Lychee

It is similar in appearance to longan, but has a brighter taste and smell. Ripe lychee has a red skin. Transparent smooth pulp has a sweet taste. Contains inedible bone. Where to eat: China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand.

Longkong

It looks like a longan. Distinguished by a larger size and yellowish skin color. The delicacy inside is similar in shape to garlic. The taste is specific, sweet and sour. The peel is inedible, but useful. You can find it in the markets of Thailand.

magic fruit

Guest from West Africa. Small red fruits reach 2-3 centimeters and grow on trees. They have a bone inside. The magic of the fruit lies in the ability to retain the sweetness of the taste for a long time. Lemons and grapefruits eaten after a treat will also seem sweet.

Mameya (Mammeya)

Similar to apricot in appearance and taste of pulp. Larger in size - up to 20 centimeters in diameter. The skin is light brown. The berry has one to four seeds. The hint of taste goes into mango. Place of offer: Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela.

Mango

A popular large tropical fruit. It is better to cut the fruit with a knife - remove the skin and bone. The color of the fruit changes with the degree of ripeness - from green to orange-red. Taste collected notes of melon, rose, peach and apricot. Growing countries: Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam.

mangosteen

Outwardly, it resembles a persimmon, only the color is dark purple. The skin is thick and inedible. Inside - garlic cloves with a unique sweet-sour taste. Ripe fruit is firm and without dents. Mangosteen peel juice does not wash out. Sample locations: Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand.

passion fruit

Fruits of various colors from yellow to purple. The size is 8 centimeters in diameter. Ripe fruits are covered with a wrinkled skin. The pulp is the same iridescent, depending on the variety, similar to sweet and sour jelly with stones. Is an aphrodisiac. It grows in Vietnam, India, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Marang

Elongated fruit. The peel is covered with thorns, the degree of maturity is determined by their hardness. Inside are white fruits with a stone. The taste varies from sweet ice cream to light marshmallow. Perishable, not subject to transportation. It grows in Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Marula

A perishable fruit that can ferment. The effect also affects animals. The fruits are small, yellow, with a stone. Fresh with a slight aroma and not sweet in taste. You can only meet in Africa.

Mafai

Small fruits in yellow, orange and red hues. Grow up to 5 centimeters. Thin skin hides transparent slices fresh sweet taste. The bone of the fruit is bitter and tightly attached to the pulp. You can find it in India, China, Thailand, Vietnam.

medlar

Sunny orange small fruit with brown pits. Unripe tastes like persimmon - tart and viscous. Ripe has the aroma and taste of blueberries. Home of the fruit: Egypt, Dominican Republic, Crimea, Abkhazia, southern Russia.

Naranjilla

A fruit shaped like a cherry tomato. The hairy fruit progresses through the stages of maturity from green to bright orange. Taste - strawberry-pineapple with notes of mango. Grows in Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica.

Noina (sugar apple)

A fruit with the size of an average apple and the appearance of a green cone. The internal component is soft, sweet, pleasant to the taste. Butchering is difficult due to uneven inedible skin. The maturity of the fruit is determined by its softness. But do not be zealous - the fruit is fragile and can fall apart when checking. Place of growth - Thailand.

Noni

The fruit is shaped like a convex green potato. The smell of the fruit is specific - spoiled cheese with mold. The taste is not pleasing - bitter. But at home, it is considered very useful and healing. Noni is the basis of the diet of the poor in southeast Asia. You can meet in Australia and Malaysia.

Papaya

Fruit in the form of a cylinder. Color from unripe green to mature yellow-orange. The size reaches 20 centimeters. It is more convenient to buy cut. The taste is a melon-pumpkin mixture. Places of cultivation: Bali, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia.

Pepino

Exotic fruits from Egypt. Large - up to 700 grams. Painted in different shades of yellow with lilac stripes. Inside are seeds that are edible. Ripe fruit should be chosen - it is tender, soft, with a melon note. The peel is removed - it is possible, but unpleasant to eat. You can also try in Peru, Turkey, New Zealand.

Pitaya

Oblong fruit of bright color (pink, burgundy, yellow). The surface is scaly. You can peel like a grapefruit or cut and eat with a spoon. Inside the pulp is transparent, white or reddish, sprinkled with small grains. It grows in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Vietnam.

Platonia

small brown fruit up to 13 centimeters in diameter. Inside they have a few unusable grains. The inside is white with a tropical taste and aroma. It is used as a base for sherbet and jelly. Habitat: Paraguay, Colombia, Brazil.

pomelo

Citrus hybrid of orange and grapefruit. It has a large size, reaching up to 10 kilograms. The peel is thick, fleshy, green. The pulp is in film slices that are bitter. The taste is less juicy than grapefruit. You should choose ripe for a bright citrus smell. You can eat in Tahiti, India, China, Japan.

Rambutan

Fleecy fruit of red-violet color. You can open it by twisting it with both hands in different directions. Inside is transparent, with a bright taste. The raw grains are poisonous. Ripeness directly depends on the brightness of the color of the fruit. They will offer to buy in the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand.

Buddha Hand (Citron)

Beautiful on the outside and uninteresting on the inside. The unusual shape of the fruit resembles a hand with many fingers. But 70 percent of the fruit consists of a peel, 30 percent of sour-bitter pulp. It is actively used in culinary crafts. You can admire the curiosity in India, Japan, Vietnam, China.

Sala

Convex brown fruit with small prickly protrusions. It is advisable to clean with a knife. The inside is divided into 3 parts with a bright sweet taste of persimmon pear. Parameters - up to 5 centimeters. Grows in Malaysia, Thailand.

Santol

It has a pear shape of uneven brown color. The rind is inedible and needs to be removed. The pulp is white with a bright mangosteen flavor. Seeds have a laxative effect and are used as needed. Grows in Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines.

sapodilla

A small fruit with a thin matte skin. The size of the fetus is 10 centimeters and 200 grams. Taste - milky caramel, causes viscosity in the mouth. Seeds are not recommended. Grows in Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Hawaii.

Sugar palm (Cambodian palm)

"Female" trees bear fruit. Fruit pulp is packed far inside, transparent white. Has refreshing properties. It is the basis for Thai sweet ice. Distributed in Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines.

Plums Natal

The fruits of this tree are the only part of the bush that does not harm people. Branches and leaves are unfit for consumption and contain poison. The color of the plums is hot pink with a wrinkled texture, and the taste is sweet. Suitable for use in baking as a filling. Homeland - South Africa.

Tamarillo

Berry in the form of an oval with dimensions up to 5 centimeters in diameter. Skin color options: yellow, burgundy, purple. The peel is unhealthy, peeled off with a knife. The taste is currant with notes of tomato. The smell is bright fruity. Located in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile.

Tamarind

Outwardly, it resembles a bean pod with a light brown skin. It is used in the preparation of sweets and sauces for meat. The pulp is dark brown in color with a spicy sweet and sour taste. Has bones. You can try in Sudan, Thailand, Cameroon, Australia, Panama.

feijoa

A green fruit with a ponytail on top. Weight reaches 45 grams, up to 5 centimeters in size. The peel is thin with an ambiguous taste, sour and causes a viscosity in the mouth. It is recommended to peel the fruit from the skin or cut into two halves and eat with a spoon. The color of the pulp varies from cream to burgundy (the latter indicates the spoilage of the product). The taste is fresh, tropical, with strawberry notes. grows in South America, Georgia, Abkhazia, Caucasus.

Breadfruit

The unripe fruit serves as a source of nutrition for the inhabitants of African countries. It tastes like bread when cooked. Ripe fruits have a pleasant sweetness similar to banana. The size is large, up to 3.5 kilograms. It is recommended to purchase cut. It is possible to take a sample in Southeast Asia.

Chrysophyllum (Star apple)

The fruit is oval-shaped with a skin color to match the flesh - pale green or lilac. The flesh is sticky, sweet, the consistency of jelly with stones like an apple. Cut like a star. It is recommended to use only ripe fruits. Where it grows: India, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia.

Cereus

A relative of the pitaya, rounded and with a smooth surface. Inside is a juicy transparent watery pulp with seeds. The taste is tropical, bright, sweet. Eat, cut in half, with a spoon. The skin is not edible. Grown on plantations in Israel.

Cherimoya

The surface of the green-colored fruit may be with or without tubercles. The pulp is similar in structure to an orange, but includes the tastes of mango, banana, strawberry with notes of ice cream. Contains hard, inedible grains. Habitat: Asian countries, Israel, Algeria, Australia, Spain.

Black Boot (Chocolate Pudding)

A dark green type of persimmon. The flesh takes on an almost black color with brown seeds. The taste of chocolate pudding, sweet and bright. The size reaches 13 centimeters in length. The homeland of the product is Guatemala, Brazil, Southern Mexico.

Chompoo

The shape is similar to bell pepper. The light varies from green to red. White flesh inside. The taste is sweet, watery. Good thirst quencher. It is not subjected to cleaning, it has no seeds. Grows in Sri Lanka, Colombia, India, Thailand.

Jujube

Small fruits up to 6 centimeters. Smooth, green with brown spots. I have a sweet apple taste and a tropical aroma. Delicious fruit - dense, not hard. The skin is edible, the pit is not. It is found in Japan, China, Thailand, the Caucasus.

Fruits and vegetables in Thailand are very diverse. Below we have collected for you what you should definitely try while in the land of smiles.

Fruit in Thailand

1. Durian

Durian (Thai name - durian) is the undisputed leader of our list. The fruit is pale green-yellow in color with a shell-like skin. Weight from 2 to 5 kg. Durian has a very unpleasant smell and an excellent sweet-creamy taste. Durian is eaten raw, while the seeds are roasted and eaten instead of nuts. Keeping at home or in a hotel, as well as transporting, is not recommended due to the smell. Many hotels, hospitals, shopping malls and other public places you can find special signs reminding you that it is forbidden to bring durian into the room. The Thais themselves speak of durian as "a fruit with the taste of heaven and the smell of hell."

Do not try durian - vacation in vain))

2. Mango

Mango (Thai name - mamuang) - outwardly yellow, green or reddish oblong fruit, outwardly a bit like a melon. Inside, juicy yellow-orange or green flesh with a sweet and sour taste.

In my opinion, the most delicious mango is green on the outside and yellow on the inside.

3. Dragon fruit

Pitaya or pitahaya ("dragon fruit", dragon's eye) (Thai name - geow mangon). Bright pink or yellow fruits with sparse green scales. Inside, white or red flesh with small black seeds.

4. Guava

Guava (Thai name - farang) - fruits of light green color, outwardly resemble an apple. Rough skin outside. The flesh is white or red, crisp like an apple, with many small seeds.

5. Papaya

Papaya (papaya) (Thai name - malakor) - pear-shaped fruits, green or yellow. The flesh is orange or bright pink. Papaya is eaten both as a vegetable and as a fruit, depending on the degree of ripeness. Thais love to cook their famous “papaya salad” from papaya.

6. Mangosteen

Mangosteen (mangosteen) (Thai name - mangkhud) - a small fruit that looks like an apple with a brown or purple skin. Sweet. Tastes like grapefruit.

7. Lychee

Lychee (Thai name - linchi) - fruits the size of a small plum, with a scaly pink peel. Inside is a white pulp that is eaten and an inedible pit. It tastes like grapes.

8. Sapodilla

Sapodilla (Thai name - la moot) - a yellow-brown fruit, similar to kiwi. Crispy flesh with a creamy caramel flavor and a few hard pits. It tastes like persimmon.

9. Passion fruit

Passion fruit is a purplish-purple or golden fruit, about the size of a small grapefruit. Under the peel are the bones in a juicy sweet shell. It turns out a very tasty cocktail: soda, passion fruit and sugar syrup.))

10. Longan

Longan (Thai name - lamyai) - small fruits of light brown color, resembling walnuts in appearance. Inside is a transparent white pulp and a hard bone.

11. Jackfruit

Jackfruit (Indian breadfruit, eve) is a large fruit with thick, spiky, yellow-green skin. It looks like a durian, but its "thorns" are smaller. The pulp is yellow, sweet, with an unusual smell and taste of a Duchesse pear. The segments are separated from each other and sold in bags. The ripened pulp is eaten fresh, the unripened is cooked. Jackfruit is mixed with other fruits, added to ice cream, coconut milk. The seeds are edible when boiled.

12. Pineapple

Pineapple (Thai name - sapa rot). Thailand's pineapples are considered among the best in the world. There are about 80 varieties of this fruit. Its taste is rich - from sweet and sour to honey. The smell of ripe pineapple is pleasant and slightly sweet. When choosing a pineapple, pay attention to its texture: it should be slightly crumpled under your fingers, but not too soft or, conversely, too hard. In Thailand, mini pineapple, or as it is called "royal pineapple", is also very popular.

13. Coconut

Coconut (Thai name - ma phrao). Season: all year round. If not for these fruits, Thai cuisine would be just a combination of Chinese and Indian. They are added to rice and eaten fresh. Most soups are cooked with coconut milk. Coconuts in syrup are offered as a dessert. The markets sell coconut milk right in the fruit. Be prepared for the fact that coconuts in Thailand are not the coconuts we are used to seeing in bounty ads. They are green and big. But, there is another type - small light brown.

14. Langsat

Langsat (Thai name - lang sat). Season: July to October. This fruit is almost unknown outside the country, but is very popular in Thailand itself. Its grayish flesh has both a sweet and sour taste. Langsat seeds are bitter, so the fruit should be eaten with care. Do not confuse with longan.

15. Pomelo

Pomelo (Thai name - som oh). Season: from August to November. It tastes like grapefruit, but more sweet than sour. In addition, the pomelo is much larger in size. The flesh is reddish, pale yellow and orange.

16. Rambutan

Rambutan (Thai name - ngaw). Season: all year round, peak - from May to September. One of the most noticeable and delicious exclusively Thai fruits. Bright red fruits with pale green bristles taste vaguely reminiscent of grapes, only sweeter. Rambutan grows in the central and southern provinces (Chanthaburi, Pattaya region, Suratthani).

17. Rose apple

Rose apple (Thai name - chom poo). Season: all year round. There are two varieties of this fruit: one is really pink, the other is green. To taste, the fruits are similar to ordinary apples, only a little more sour. The most beautiful rose apples appear on the markets during the cool season - from November to March.

18. Salak

Salak, snake fruit (Thai name - la kham). The scaly fruits are burgundy-brown in color, the shape is oval and slightly elongated, reminiscent of a drop of water. The peel is thin and quite easy to remove, but when peeling the fruit, you need to be careful: it is covered with small soft spikes. The flesh of the herring is yellowish-white.

19. Sugar apple

Sugar apple (Thai name - noi naa). Season: June to September. Under the bumpy green skin lies a sweet and fragrant milky flesh. If the fruit is ripe enough, you can eat it with a spoon. By the way, the basis of the special ice cream served in Thai restaurants is the sugar apple. The fruit loves a hot and humid climate, so it is grown mainly in the south of the country.

20. Carambola

Carambola (Thai name - ma feung). Season: October to December. Fruits are yellow or green, oblong. Cut across have the shape of a five-pointed star. Because of this, they have a second name - star fruit, or "star fruit". Ripe fruits are very juicy. The taste is pleasant, with floral notes, not very sweet. Unripe fruits are quite sour. They contain a lot of vitamin C. The fruit is mainly used for making salads, sauces, juices and soft drinks.

21. Tamarind

Tamarind (Thai name - makham thad). Season: December to March. Tamarind is a sour fruit, but a sweet variety grows in Thailand. Thais usually boil the fruit in water to get a refreshing drink.

22. Watermelon

Watermelon (Thai name - Taeng Mo). Season: all year round. Peak season: October-March. Appearance: watermelons are small in size, with red or yellow flesh. Yellow ones are more expensive, because in Thailand it is the color of wealth. Taste: Sugar-sweet common to watermelon, refreshing in both varieties. Significantly sweeter than Astrakhan. Consumption: Necks, smoothies and fresh watermelon juice are popular. Used for figured fruit carving.

23. Banana

Banana - (Thai name - Kluai). Season: all year round. Appearance: yellow or green. Taste: very sweet, the smaller the size and thinner the skin, the tastier, but these are not stored. Long ones are stored better, they cost more. Very nutritious, they are eaten unripe with spices, semi-ripe dried in the sun, ripened deep-fried, boiled in coconut milk or syrup, the flowers are used in cooking various dishes.

24. Mandarin

Mandarin (Thai name - Som). Season: all year round. Peak season September-February. Appearance. Smaller than European varieties, with a thinner, greenish-yellow skin. Taste: sweet with slight sourness, very juicy. Compared to European varieties, not so bright taste. Consumption: In Thailand, they are mainly juiced and sold everywhere on stalls on the streets.

Fruits in Thailand by seasons.

Article-review of exotic tropical fruits of Asia with photos, names, descriptions and prices in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. We wrote it based on our travel notes. Use on health!

Tropical fruits of the Southeast are a real treasure and a storehouse of health. It's just a sin not to try them all! In addition, exotic fruits sold in Russia (for example, pineapple, mango, bananas or carambola) only remotely resemble real ripe fruits. Read the article about - it is especially relevant for those who are going to this country for the first time.

List of tropical fruits with photos, names and descriptions

Rambutan (Rambutan, Ngo - Thai, Chôm chôm - Vietnamese)

Funny hairy red balls on the counter are rambutans. Their "hairiness" is of varying degrees: the hairs can be greenish and strong, withered and black, or moderately withered. Practice shows that the latter are the best.

The pulp of rambutans is dense and white translucent, it does not get rid of the stone too well. To get to the pulp, you need to make an incision across and part the halves. The taste is subtle and sweet, similar to green grapes. Unripe rambutans may be slightly sour. Sometimes there are already peeled rambutans in the markets, but they spoil much faster - there is a risk of running into spoiled ones. They are also sold in canned form with sugar syrup.

Season: from May to October.

Rambutans are one of the most inexpensive tropical fruits in Asia. Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 40 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 30 to 150 baht (and about 15 baht for a peeled substrate);
• In Indonesia - 10 thousand rupees in Sumatra and from 18 thousand rupees in Bali.

(Photo: jeevs / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Lychee (Litchi, lin-chi - Thai, vải - Vietnamese)

Lychee, otherwise - litchi, or Chinese plum - are remarkable and tasty. Neat red-pink fruits from afar resemble the skin of a reptile - their peel is dotted with small tubercles. To the touch pleasant, elastic, rough. The thin shell is easily separated from the pulp, revealing a translucent white mass with a stone in the center. Lychees are very juicy, with a sweet and sour taste. They are actively used in cooking.

Harvested from April to June. The price per kilogram in Thailand is about 60 baht.

(Photo: su-lin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Longan (Lam-yaj - Thai, Nhan - Vietnamese)

If you see bunches of small potatoes on the counter, know that this is a longan, or a dragon's eye. The fruits are juicy and sugary-sweet - it is almost impossible to break away from them: longan snaps like seeds, easily and quickly. In Vietnam, you can often see longan shells on the ground. The flesh is transparent white, sometimes with a slight yellowish tint. When cut, the longan resembles a dragon's eye, as there is a round bone inside, hence its name.

Season: May - November.

Prices per kilogram:

• in Vietnam - from 30 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 60 baht.

(Photo: Muy Yum / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Longkong (Langsat)

Longkong (langsat) is one of the most delicious exotic fruits in Asia, in our opinion. In appearance - a bunch of small potatoes of beige-yellow color with speckles, but larger than longan. The longkong is cleaned well - you just need to peel off the peel (although your hands will be a little sticky after that). The pulp is in the form of translucent slices, similar in shape to garlic. Its taste is simply amazing - sweet and refreshing, with a barely noticeable sourness, a bit like a pomelo. Beware of biting the bones - they are bitter.

Season: from May to November.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 100 baht;
• in Indonesia - from 20 thousand rupees.

(Photo: Yeoh Thean Kheng / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Mango (Mango, Ma-Muang - Thai, Xoài - Vietnamese)

The variety of mango species is amazing - from dark green to red. The flavor palette is also impressive. In Vietnam, mangoes are somewhat fibrous, while in Thailand their flesh is more uniform and flavorful. The bone is usually flat and wide.

It is better to choose slightly soft mangoes, hard ones may turn out to be unripe (although there are exceptions), and too soft ones - overripe, they will quickly deteriorate. In Thailand, yellow mangoes (and durians) are eaten with gluten-free rice and coconut milk - a traditional dish sticky rice.

Season: in Thailand in spring, in Vietnam - also in spring and winter.

Prices are different and depend on the variety (per kg):

• in Vietnam - from 25 to 68 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - from 20 to 150 baht;
• in Indonesia - 10-15 thousand rupees per season and 25-50 - out of season;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits.

(Photo: Philip Roeland / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Noina, or sugar apple (Sugar Apple, Noi-na - Thai, Mẵng cầu - Vietnamese)

Noina is very similar to cherimoya - they are relatives. Noina looks like a light green bumpy apple with segments-scales covered with a light whitish coating. Sugar apple was called for a reason: the ripe fruit is really like sugar, with a creamy flavor. The flesh is white and so soft that noina is cut in half and eaten with a spoon, removing inedible bones. Cherimoya is similar to noina in many ways, but its peel is without scales.

Try to choose as ripe fruits as possible, as unripe noina will be unpleasant - hard and with a coniferous flavor. A ripe sugar apple is soft, the flesh can even shine through between the segments. Don't push it too hard - it can fall apart right in your hands.

Harvest: June - September.

The cost of a kilogram of these tropical fruits:

• in Vietnam - from 49 thousand dong (in a supermarket), in the market we bought for 30 thousand.

(Photo: Hanoian / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Guanabana, or soursop (Soursop, Guanabana, Mãng cầu xiêm - Vietnamese)

Another relative of the noina is guanabana. Its flesh is similar to a sugar apple, but not as sweet and with a bright creamy taste. By consistency, it is a bit like dense sour cream or yogurt, for which guanabana was nicknamed soursop. Eat it with a spoon or cut into pieces. The fruits of guanabana are much larger than noina and cherimoya, you can’t confuse them - they sometimes reach 10 or more kilograms. The peel is dark green, with small processes in the form of soft spines.

Guanabana is a rare guest on the shelves of markets and shops. Choose a slightly soft soursop - it can easily ripen in the refrigerator for a couple of days (but no more, so don't overdo it). An unripe fruit is hard and almost tasteless, and an overripe one will sour, fermentation processes will begin.

Fruits all year round. Usually the price per kilogram in Vietnam is from 43 thousand dong.

(Photo: tara marie / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Pomelo (Pomelo, Som-o - Thai)

Probably everyone knows what a pomelo looks like and what it tastes like, so we won’t describe it. However, we thought it was sweeter in Asia. When buying, you should choose by sniffing: the stronger the citrus aroma, the better the pomelo will be. Also pay attention to softness.

Season: July - September.

Price per kg:

• in Thailand - from 30 baht;
• in Vietnam - from 40 thousand dong.

Salak (Snake fruit, Sala and Ra-kum - Thai, Salak - Indonesian.)

A notable tropical fruit with a rind resembling snakeskin. It comes with and without thorns. The flesh is beige-yellow or white, sweet-sour in taste, with a wine flavor. Sometimes there is a taste of valerian. Spiny herring should be cleaned with care: cut at the edge with a knife and peel off like a tangerine. Cleans up pretty easily.

Season: June to August.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 60 baht;
• in Indonesia - from 20 thousand rupees.

(Photo: hl_1001a3 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Pineapple (Pineapple, Sa-pa-rot - Thai, Khóm (Dứa) - Vietnamese)

Pineapple is an exotic fruit familiar to us since childhood. Only here in Asia it is much tastier than in Russia. Large and small pineapples are sold - these are different varieties. We recommend taking Thai small, palm-sized, with an orange peel - they are the sweetest. It is convenient to buy already peeled or chopped pineapples.

Season: January, April - June.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 20 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - about 15-20 baht (per piece or kilogram - depending on the variety).

Chrysophyllum (Star apple, Caimito, Star apple, Vú sữa - Vietnamese)

We were not particularly impressed with the star apple: its taste seemed pleasant, but not outstanding, besides, the fruits secrete milky juice, which is then hardly washed off hands and lips. Mature chrysophyllums come in green, brown, and various shades of purple. You need to choose soft star apples, as unripe ones are inedible. It is better to eat them with a spoon, cut across and pre-cooled.

Harvested from February to March. The price in Vietnam per kg is from 37 thousand VND.

(Photo: tkxuong / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Mangosteen (Mangosteen, Mong-khut - Thai, Mang cút - Vietnamese)

Mangosteen (mangosteen), like almost all tropical fruits of Asia, looks attractive and arouses the curiosity of tourists. Small dark purple round balls with neat leaves on top, dense to the touch and quite heavy.

The peel of the mangosteen is thick, reminiscent of pomegranate in smell and astringent properties. Behind the thick rind are several slices of fragrant and extremely tender white pulp, similar in shape to garlic. The taste is unforgettable and indescribable! Light, sweet, refreshing. But we did not like the mangosteen wine.

It is important to choose the right fruits: when buying, lightly press the mangosteen - it should be a little soft, sag when pressed. If not, it's most likely corrupted.

When cleaning the mangosteen, be careful not to stain your clothes. In many hotels it is forbidden to eat it. Clean better with hands- just tear off the leaves and press on the center. You can also use a knife - make an incision and open the fruit. If the mangosteen is fresh, it will peel easily.

Season: April - October.

Price per kg:

• in Thailand - from 80 baht;
• in Indonesia - 20-35 thousand rupees.

(Photo: olivcris / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Papaya (Papaya, Ma-la-koo - Thai, Đu đủ - Vietnamese)

Papaya is sweet and nutritious, with a flavor reminiscent of carrots and pumpkins. The flesh of the ripe fruit is very soft, fragrant, juicy, orange-red in color, and the skin is bright yellow to orange. Take moderately soft fruits. Green papaya is not sweet - it is added to salads and eaten with pepper and salt.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 10 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 40 baht;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - 7-15 thousand rupees.

(Photo: Crysstala / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Sapodilla (sapodilla, La-mut and Chiku - Thai, Lòng mứt or hồng xiêm - Vietnamese)

Sapodilla is called a tree potato - outwardly it really looks like an oblong potato. But inside - a sugary-sweet pulp of orange-brown color, reminiscent of persimmon varieties "Korolek", only softer. Buy soft brown fruits, as unripe sapodilla has an astringent effect.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 21 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 40 baht.

(Photo: GlobalHort Image Library/Imagetheque/flickr.com/CC BY-NC 2.0)

Pitahaya (dragon heart, dragon fruit, Geow-mangon - Thai, Thanh long - Vietnamese)

Pitahaya is one of the most recognizable exotic fruits, the photo of which has probably been seen by everyone. The bright pink pitaya belongs to the cactus family and looks unusual: inside is white or beet-colored flesh with small black seeds. She has a barely perceptible sweetish taste - in my opinion, pitahaya is almost bland. Eat with a spoon, cut in half.

Season: May - October.

Price per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 20-23 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - from 45 baht;
• in Indonesia - 15 thousand rupees.

(Photo: John Loo / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Coconut (Coconut, Ma-phrao - Thai, Dừa - Vietnamese)

In Southeast Asia, coconuts are large and light green or yellow-orange in color, not brown and hairy, as we have on the shelves. These are young coconuts, and they are drunk. Sellers will carefully cut off the top of the nut with a machete, give you a tube and a spoon - you can scrape off the pleasant jelly-like pulp remaining on the walls of the coconut. We recommend buying chilled coconuts.

Season: all year.

Price per piece (depending on size):

• in Vietnam - from 8-15 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - 15-20 baht;
• in Malaysia - from 4-5 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - 10-15 thousand rupees.

(Photo: -Gep- / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0)

Tamarind (Sweet Tamarind, Ma-kham-wan - Thai, Me thái ngọt - Vietnamese)

The sugary-sweet tamarind resembles a date in taste and texture. It looks like a brown pod, under a fragile shell - dark flesh, enveloping hard bones.

Season: December to March.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 62 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 100 baht.

(Photo: Mal.Smith / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Banana (Banana, Kluai - Thai, Chuối - Vietnamese)

There are many types of bananas in Asia. Mostly small, palm-length. The taste is sweet and very different from those sold in Russia. Be sure to try different varieties. For example, in Malaysia there are wonderful triangular bananas. They are red on the outside, but they taste like dried ones.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 15 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 30 baht;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - 20-25 thousand rupees.

Passionfruit (Passionfruit, Chanh dây - Vietnamese)

This tropical fruit has a different, more sonorous name - Passionfruit, which translates as passion fruit. The taste of passion fruit is not for everyone: too sharp, sweet and sour (but I like it very much). Similar to concentrated multifruit juice.

The peel is dense, comes in many colors, but mostly purple, burgundy, brown and green-brown. Fruits can be smooth or shriveled - just such a passion fruit will be ripe. The pulp is jelly-like, with edible seeds. They eat it with a spoon, cutting it across.

But in Indonesia, passion fruit is completely different and is called marquise! Inside - a sweet jelly-like pulp with crispy bones. It can be drunk or eaten with a spoon. Outside - a dense yellow-orange peel. How to choose fruits? Take the brightest ones. If, when pressed, the peel sags and even slightly crunches, then the fruit is ripe.

Season: september - december and marquise in winter.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 20 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 190 baht;
• in Indonesia - 45 thousand rupees (out of season).

(Photo: geishaboy500 / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Carambola (Carambola, Star fruit, Ma-fuang - Thai, Khẽ - Vietnamese)

The beautiful yellow-orange fruit is carambola. It tastes sweet and sour, reminiscent of strawberries. Carambola is juicy and refreshing, great to eat in the heat. It is so named because when cross-sectioned, slices are obtained in the form of stars.

Season: October to December.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 120 baht (and 50 baht for the substrate);
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - from 20 thousand rupees.

(Photo: berenicegg / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Chompu (pink apple, waterapple, Chom-phu - Thai, Mân thái đỏ - Vietnamese)

Chompoo are unusually juicy - it seems as if they are made of water. Excellent thirst quencher. The taste is barely noticeable sweetish, very pleasant. The fragrance resembles the smell of a rose, hence the name. Chompus come in red, green, and white.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 200 baht (and 20-70 baht for the substrate);
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits.

(Photo: beautifulcataya / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Jackfruit (Jackfruit, Kha-nun - Thai, Mít - Vietnamese)

Perhaps one of the most memorable and delicious exotic fruits in Asia is the jackfruit. Its fruits are round and very large, so it is sold peeled. The split jackfruit smells sweet, the aroma resembles chewing gum and spreads far. The lobules are bright yellow and smooth. The fruit is very nutritious.

Season: January - May.

Prices for a jackfruit pad:

• in Vietnam - about 25 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 20 baht.

(Photo: mimolag / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Guava (Guajava, Farang - Thai, Ổi - Vietnamese)

We don't like guava. It looks like a pear or a green apple, but tastes something in between. In general, the pulp is pleasant, sweetish, white and pink. Choose a softer guava, it is impossible to eat unripe - it is hard, with a coniferous flavor.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 19 thousand dong;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits.

(Photo: cKol / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0)

Wani (Wani, white mango)

Found only in Indonesia. It looks like a mango, but it's not the same at all. Inside is juicy aromatic pulp with an impressive bone. The pulp is fibrous and poorly separated from it, so it is inconvenient to cut. Cut the slices carefully without touching the bone. And even better - buy juice from vani so as not to toil.

Choose the largest fruits, slightly soft, with a dark skin. The fruit should smell strongly.

Season: late February - March, but we also bought in April - May.

The price per kg in Bali (Ubud) out of season is 35 thousand rupees.

Durian (Durian, Too-ree-an - Thai, Sầu riêng - Vietnamese)

The same king of fruits that everyone has heard about. Reviews about durian are contradictory: someone says that they will never eat it, while others are crazy about it. Our first acquaintance with durian turned out to be unsuccessful: a distinct taste of either onion or garlic was mixed with sweetness - not the pleasure that we expected after reading laudatory reviews about the heavenly taste of this exotic fruit. After eating, the garlic flavor lasts for a long time in the mouth. By the way, the smell is not quite nasty, and sometimes even pleasant - apparently, it depends on the variety.

We tasted durian the second time, having bought a traditional Thai dish sticky rice with durian and coconut milk. What to say? Don't lie, the taste is truly heavenly! The pulp is very tender, creamy. Remember that it should not be consumed with alcohol. The most delicious durians were eaten in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Season: April - August.

Durian prices:

• in Thailand it costs from 200 baht per kg (Phuket Town) and from 900 baht per kg in Patong - the difference in price is impressive. It is most profitable to buy sticky rice with durian - from 55 baht per package. Hearty and tasty.
• in Indonesia - from 10-40 to 25-60 thousand rupees. Such a spread in prices due to the size and place of sale. In the resorts of Bali, prices are greatly inflated, so it is cheaper to buy in the outback and near the roads.

(Photo: Mohafiz M.H. Photography (www.lensa13.com) / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

First photo: Andrea Schaffer / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0.