Blog
The ten most exotic fruits on this planet and their properties
Sep
Exotic fruits often come from distant countries or from a climate that’s very different than the one we’re used to. For that reason, tasting this sort of fruit is a approach to travel through taste, smell, and color.
Some are already well-known all over the world, resembling pineapple, coconut, or avocado. However, there are other more local varieties with curious shapes and textures.
Do you would like to know a few of them, how one can eat them, and what properties or nutrients they supply? We let you know more about them below!
10 curious and exotic fruits
As we’ve got just seen, the term exotic fruits is used to designate all those fruits that will not be normally common within the countries where we live.
Many come from tropical and subtropical countries, since this sort of climate favors the expansion of a lot of different species and varieties.
A number of many years ago, they might only be consumed locally. For that reason, it was the local population and travelers who were delighted with all of the nuances and surprises that exotic fruits can offer.
Today, nonetheless, because of increased demand and the expansion of trade, it’s more common to seek out them in markets in additional countries. So possibly you may have the chance to acknowledge and taste a number of the 10 specimens that we’re going to let you know about below!
1. Carambola
Native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, it’s one of the crucial beautiful exotic fruits we will find. Its fruit is small, oval-shaped, and yellow in color.
It has a sour to sweet taste and a firm, crunchy texture. It will probably be eaten whole, although, once cut, it has a pleasant star shape. This makes it an ideal decorative element in green salads, garnishes, or fruit salads.
Because of its carotene content, it’s a really suitable fruit for skin health. As suggested by Zerres and Stahl, this compound has the flexibility to maintain its moisture content, elasticity, and texture.
Like this text? We predict you might also wish to read: Advantages of Yuzu: A Japanese Citrus Fruit Packed With Vitamin C
2. Exotic fruits: Jackfruit
Also often known as jackfruit, it comes from Malaysia and India. In other Asian countries, resembling Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it’s consumed in abundance and has been a crucial source of nutrition in times of scarcity.
The jackfruit tree produces very large fruits, which might weigh greater than 20 kilos.
The edible part is the pulp, which changes from white to orange because it ripens. It also acquires a sweeter flavor, which some relate to banana or mango.
However it’s because of its texture that the consumption of this specimen is booming. It has a consistent pulp and frays easily, so it’s been used in recent times as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes.
3. Soursop
Soursop is a tree native to the Caribbean and Central America, but today, its cultivation has spread to other territories.
Its fruits are dark green, oval-shaped and have an acidic and fragrant pulp. It will probably be consumed alone or utilized in preparations resembling smoothies, desserts, and ice cream.
In accordance with data published in Molecules, this fruit may also help to enhance diarrhea episodes. As well as, it’s also suitable for those affected by gastritis and gastric ulcers.
4. Mangosteen
Born from the Garcinia mangostana tree, that is one of the crucial marketed exotic fruits as a dietary complement. It will probably be present in the shape of juices and other sorts of beverages.
The presence of xanthones has put it within the highlight of scientists as a way to develop latest drugs for chronic and degenerative diseases. This could be read in an article published in Food and Chemical Technology.
The fresh fruit has a medium size and its skin is purple. On the time of selecting it, the latter must be shiny, firm, and without many bruises.
To eat it, it’s cut in half with a serrated knife without splitting it completely. Thus, the skin could be removed and the white interior is exposed. Its segments separate like those of an orange and could be eaten alone or added to juices and smoothies.
5. Kiwano
This fruit comes from Africa and belongs to the identical family as cucumber and melon. Actually, it’s known by the names of horned cucumber or African melon.
When ripe it has green flesh with white seeds and its appearance is somewhat gelatinous. All parts of the melon are edible, although most individuals only eat the within.
As reported in Processes, the kiwano is interesting for the variety of minerals it provides: potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc (amongst others).
It will probably be utilized in salads, fruit salads, or with yogurt. As well as, it’s also common to season it with a bit of sugar. Thus prepared, its flavor is paying homage to a mix of banana and kiwi. Care should be taken when peeling it, as its exterior is roofed with small thorns.
You might also wish to read this text: Acidic and Semi-acidic Fruits: What Are They and What Are Their Effects?
6. Buddha’s hand
Certainly, Buddha’s hand is one of the crucial curious exotic fruits in the marketplace. It’s quite a lot of citrus fruit that has the fruit separated into sections resembling the fingers of a hand.
Its use can be different from that of most fruits, because it has almost no pulp. In China and Japan, it’s used to scent clothes or houses and is one in all the same old offerings to Buddha.
It shares the dietary composition of other plants of the identical genus. As could be read within the Journal of Epidemiology, it might be helpful for our health, because it has been linked to a lower incidence of heart problems.
7. Pitaya
Known by the names dragon fruit or strawberry pear, this can be a very striking fruit, attributable to its vibrant red color. Nowadays, it’s quite easy to seek out it fresh or frozen in markets in several countries.
Its dietary composition stands out for the contribution of various antioxidant compounds, resembling vitamin C and polyphenols.
In accordance with the authors of an article published in Frontiers in Pharmacology diets wealthy in polyphenols may also help to cut back the chance of affected by certain diseases. These include cardiovascular problems, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory pathologies.
The skin of the pitaya is kind of tough, but inside it hides a soft, sweet pulp stuffed with edible seeds. That is eaten with the assistance of a spoon (like kiwi or avocado), even though it’s also added to smoothies, fruit salads, and salads.
8. Rambutan
Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, it’s abundant in markets throughout Southeast Asia. It belongs to the identical family because the lychee, one other exotic fruit that’s somewhat higher known and likewise very healthy.
The rambutan is small, with a red, spiky outer skin and a white, creamy interior. It’s prepared in the identical way because the mangosteen and is eaten as a table fruit or in fruit salads. On this case, the seeds should be removed.
It has a striking amount of antioxidants and could be considered an excellent source of vitamin C (much like kiwi or orange).
As could be read within the page of the National Institutes of Health, this vitamin is mandatory to provide collagen, to enhance the absorption of iron, and for the traditional functioning of the immune system.
9. Exotic fruits: Kumquat
Hailing from China, the kumquat is a small fruit also often known as a Chinese orange.
It could be enjoyed whole, because it’s the identical size as grapes and its skin is edible. Unlike other citrus fruits (a gaggle to which the kumquat also belongs ), the skin is somewhat sweet, in contrast to the acidic interior.
At a dietary level, it stands out for its vitamin C, carotenes, pectins, and polyphenols. Because of all of those, it has a series of effects on the organism which are helpful for cardiovascular health. In accordance with the authors Liu, Lou, et al:
- Regulation of the expression of anti-inflammatory markers.
- Protection of the artery wall.
- Decrease in blood pressure.
You might also like reading: Different Stages of Fruit: Characteristics and Advantages
10. Durian
In last place, we’ve got left this fruit that has earned the status of being one in all the smelliest on this planet. It’s quite difficult to seek out outside of its region of origin, but a visit to Thailand, Malaysia, or Singapore is maybe value a bit of tasting.
This, yes, the experience may only be suitable for probably the most daring. Although there are numerous varieties with different nuances (from the sweetest to probably the most bitter) its smell is nearly unmistakable. A lot so, that it’s becoming common to ban their entry in public transport and a few hotels.
Did you already know any of those 10 exotic fruits?
It’s possible that you may have, since a few of them could be present in very distant points of their country of origin.
Consuming fruits every day has many health advantages. They’re light, diuretic, provide fiber and an amazing amount of vitamins and minerals, amongst other nutrients.
Exotic fruits could be included among the many beneficial every day servings of this group. Nonetheless, it must be remembered that it’s advisable to decide on fruits which are in season and grown locally or as near season as possible.
This doesn’t mean that you simply cannot try kumquat, pitaya, jackfruit, or soursop. However it’s best to accomplish that now and again and reap the benefits of trips to taste them.
It’d interest you…
