The UK, with its vast network of international trade, offers a treasure trove of exotic fruits for the adventurous eater. These aren't your everyday apples and oranges, but exciting tastes from around the globe that will tantalize your taste buds and broaden your culinary horizons.
So, get ready to explore 22 of the most interesting exotic fruits you can find in supermarkets and specialty stores across the UK!
1. Mangosteen
- Origin: Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines
- Interesting Facts: Nicknamed the "Queen of Fruits" for its exquisite flavor and delicate beauty, the mangosteen boasts a deep purple, almost jewel-toned rind that encases snowy white, fragrant flesh. This segmented fruit offers a burst of sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of citrus and a creamy texture. Enjoy it fresh, or use it in salads, desserts, or even savory curries.
2. Rambutan
- Origin: Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia
- Interesting Facts: Rambutan, meaning "hairy" in Malay, lives up to its name with its vibrant red exterior covered in soft, red, spiky protrusions. Don't be intimidated! These peel away easily to reveal translucent, slightly acidic flesh with a mild sweetness. Rambutan is a refreshing treat enjoyed on its own or used in jams, jellies, and chutneys.
3. Lychee
- Origin: South China, although now cultivated in many subtropical regions.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: China, Vietnam, Madagascar
- Interesting Facts: Lychee offers a stunning contrast of textures. A rough, bumpy red exterior gives way to a glistening, translucent white flesh with a jelly-like consistency. The flavor is a delightful mix of sweet and floral, with a slight citrusy tang. Enjoy lychee fresh, or try them dried for a chewy and concentrated taste.
4. Dragonfruit
- Origin: Central and South America, particularly Mexico and Guatemala.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Israel
- Interesting Facts: Dragonfruit is a showstopper with its vibrant pink or yellow skin adorned with scale-like protrusions. Inside, the flesh can be white, red, or purple, dotted with tiny black seeds. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, making it a great base for smoothies, salads, and fruit salsas.
5. Passionfruit
- Origin: South America, particularly Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Brazil, Colombia, Peru
- Interesting Facts: Passionfruit comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a wrinkled purple or yellow rind. Crack it open to discover a treasure trove of juicy, seed-filled pulp with a complex flavor profile. It's a beautiful balance of sweet, tart, and tangy, with a distinct floral aroma. Enjoy passionfruit scooped straight out, or use its intensely flavored juice in cocktails, desserts, and sauces.
6. Kiwano
- Origin: Southern Africa, particularly Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: New Zealand, California (USA), Chile
- Interesting Facts: Kiwano, also known as horned melon, is an undeniably eye-catching fruit. Its bright orange exterior is covered in soft, yellow horns, giving it an otherworldly appearance. Slice through the rind to find a jelly-like, lime green flesh with black seeds. The flavor is a surprising mix of banana, kiwi, and lime, making it a delicious and refreshing snack.
7. Feijoa
- Origin: South America, particularly Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: New Zealand, Colombia, Brazil
- Interesting Facts: Feijoa, often called pineapple guava, has an oval shape and a bumpy, olive-green skin. The flesh inside is creamy white or yellow, dotted with black seeds. The flavor is a unique blend of pineapple, guava, and a hint of mint. Enjoy feijoa fresh, or spoon it over yogurt or ice cream for a burst of tropical taste.
8. Tamarillo
- Origin: Andes Mountains, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: New Zealand, Colombia, Peru
- Interesting Facts: Tamarillo, also known as the tree tomato, is an egg-shaped fruit with a smooth, red skin. The flesh inside comes in shades of red, orange, or yellow, and has a soft, jelly-like texture with a few small seeds. The flavor is a delightful mix of sweet and tangy, with a hint of tomato and citrus. Enjoy tamarillo fresh, or use it in jams, chutneys, or savory salsas.
9. Cherimoya
- Origin: South America, particularly the Andes Mountains of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Spain, Chile, Peru.
- Interesting Facts: Cherimoya, also known as custard apple, has a heart-shaped, green, bumpy exterior that belies its creamy and delicious interior. The flesh is white, segmented, and has a custard-like texture with large, black seeds. The flavor is a complex mix of sweetness with hints of banana, pineapple, and citrus. Enjoy cherimoya fresh, scooped out and eaten like ice cream, or use it in smoothies, mousses, or fruit salads.
10. Prickly Pear
- Origin: North and South America, particularly Mexico and the Andes Mountains.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Mexico, Italy, Morocco
- Interesting Facts: Prickly pear, also known as cactus pear, offers a taste of the desert. The fruit can be yellow, red, or purple, and is covered in small spines (beware!). The flesh inside is juicy and sweet, with a seed-filled core. Enjoy prickly pear fresh, or use it in jams, jellies, and even cocktails.
11. Durian
- Origin: Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia
- Interesting Facts: Durian is infamous for its pungent odor, often described as a mix of onions, garlic, and sweaty socks. However, beneath this formidable exterior lies a creamy, custard-like flesh with a rich, complex flavor profile. Some describe it as sweet and savory, with hints of almond, caramel, and banana. Durian is an acquired taste, but for those who can overcome the smell, it's a truly unique experience.
(Note: Due to its strong odor, durian is often banned from public transportation in some countries.)
12. Jackfruit
- Origin: Southeast Asia, particularly India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: India, Indonesia, Bangladesh
- Interesting Facts: Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, sometimes weighing up to 50 kg! The unripe flesh is green and has a meaty texture, making it a popular meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes. Ripe jackfruit has a sweet, fruity flavor and can be enjoyed fresh or used in jams, desserts, and curries.
13. Pepino Melon
- Origin: South America, particularly Peru, Chile, and Ecuador.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: New Zealand, Chile, Peru
- Interesting Facts: Pepino melon, also known as melon pepino, has a light yellow skin with purple stripes and a sweet, honeydew-like flavor. The flesh is juicy and refreshing, with a slightly acidic tang. Enjoy pepino melon fresh, or use it in salads, salsas, and smoothies.
14. Guava
- Origin: Central and South America, particularly Mexico, Peru, and Colombia.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: India, Mexico, Pakistan
- Interesting Facts: Guava comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a range of colors from green to yellow to pink. The flesh can be white, pink, or red, and has a sweet and tangy flavor with a musky aroma. Guava is a good source of vitamin C and fiber, and can be enjoyed fresh, juiced, or used in jams, jellies, and desserts.
15. Starfruit
- Origin: Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia
- Interesting Facts: Starfruit gets its name from its unique star-shaped form when sliced horizontally. The flesh can be yellow or green, and has a tart and tangy flavor. Ripe starfruit is delicious eaten fresh, while unripe starfruit can be used in savory dishes for its sour punch.
16. Loquat
- Origin: East Asia, particularly China and Japan.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: China, Japan, Spain
- Interesting Facts: Loquat resembles a small apricot, with a fuzzy orange skin and sweet, tangy flesh. It has a large, inedible pit and a flavor reminiscent of a mix between apricot and pear. Enjoy loquat fresh, or use it in jams, jellies, and syrups.
17. Physalis
- Origin: South America, particularly Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Colombia, South Africa, Peru
- Interesting Facts: Physalis, also known as cape gooseberry, is a small, round fruit encased in a papery lantern-like husk. The flesh inside is juicy and sweet, with a tangy flavor that some compare to a mix of passionfruit and tomato. Enjoy physalis fresh, or use it in jams, salads, and desserts.
18. Mamey Sapote
- Origin: Central America, particularly Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba
- Interesting Facts: Mamey sapote has a thick, brown skin and a dark red, almost chocolate-colored flesh. The flesh is smooth and creamy, with a sweet and slightly nutty flavor reminiscent of pumpkin or sweet potato. Enjoy mamey sapote fresh, scooped out and eaten like pudding, or use it in smoothies, ice cream, and baked goods.
19. Papaya
- Origin: Central and South America, particularly Mexico and Costa Rica.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: India, Brazil, Mexico
- Interesting Facts: Papaya is a popular tropical fruit with a long, oblong shape and smooth green or yellow skin. The flesh inside is orange or pink, and has a sweet, melon-like flavor with a touch of spice. Papaya is a good source of vitamins A and C, and the enzymes it contains can aid digestion. Enjoy papaya fresh, juiced, or dried.
20. Pomegranate
- Origin: Middle East and Central Asia, particularly Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey.
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Iran, India, Turkey
- Interesting Facts: Pomegranate is a jewel-toned fruit with a tough, red exterior and numerous ruby red seeds encased in a juicy, white membrane. The seeds are what you eat, and they have a tart and tangy flavor. Pomegranate is a good source of antioxidants and has been linked to various health benefits. Enjoy pomegranate seeds fresh, or add them to yogurt, salads, or smoothies.
21. Buddha's Hand
- Origin: China
- Top 3 Producing Countries: China, Japan, Korea
- Interesting Facts: Buddha's hand is a citrus fruit with an unusual appearance. It resembles a lemon with long, finger-like protrusions that resemble a hand. The rind is the most prized part, with an intense lemon fragrance and a slightly bitter taste. It's not typically eaten on its own, but rather used to flavor teas, desserts, and savory dishes.
22. Yumberry
- Origin: South America, particularly Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
- Top 3 Producing Countries: Colombia, New Zealand, Chile
- Interesting Facts: Yumberry is a small, purple fruit that resembles a blueberry. It has a sweet and tart flavor with a hint of grape, and is packed with antioxidants. Enjoy yumberry fresh, or use it in jams, jellies, and baked goods.
Bonus Tip: Be sure to check the ripeness of any exotic fruit before purchasing. Some fruits, like mangosteen and durian, should have a slight give when pressed gently.
Others, like rambutan and kiwano, should have firm flesh. If you're unsure, ask a staff member at the store for guidance.
With this information, you're well on your way to exploring the exciting world of exotic fruits in the UK. Happy exploring!
NOTE : "Information provided by Gemini, a large language model from Google AI."
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