If you thought you had seen and tried everything when it came to fruit, you were wrong - read here which 5 unknown fruits you should know.
Anyone who has ever traveled to distant countries and immersed themselves in their local culture and landscape should have come into contact with the eating habits there. So it is not surprising that apart from apples and pears there are other types of fruit that are still unknown to us. The exotic fruits come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, some of which are unimaginable for us. Ultimately, however, what matters is the taste. You should definitely try the following five fruits, if only to be able to brag about their willingness to experiment and cosmopolitanism next time.
1. Jabuticaba or Brazilian Grape Tree
The rare purple fruit is originally from Brazil but is now also grown in Florida and parts of Australia. It grows on the trunk of tree-like shrubs that can reach 12 m in height and can be harvested up to five times a year. The fruits resemble dark grapes but have a firmer skin that is not suitable for consumption. The sweet taste makes the jabuticaba ideal for use in jams or wines, but it also cuts a fine figure on its own, for example in fruit salads. In traditional medicine it is used as a natural remedy for diarrhea and asthma.
The Kiwano, which we call "horn cucumber", originated in Africa and is now cultivated in Israel and New Zealand. Although it is also relatively easy to obtain in Germany, the Kiwano has not really caught on here. If you happen to be able to snag a specimen on your next purchase, you should make sure that the fruit is a deep orange color and that the spines are still as hard as possible. In terms of taste, the Kiwano is reminiscent of a refreshing mixture of lime, banana and passion fruit and will definitely add a special touch to your next fruit saladput. If you choose the green-fleshed fruit, you are not only doing something good for your tongue. The Kiwano is very he althy due to its high vitamin C content and the potassium, calcium and magnesium it contains.
3. Miracle Fruit or Miracle Berry
You may have heard of the miracle berry's unusual ability to add a sweet and tart flavor to spicy foods. The miracle fruit owes this effect to the glycoprotein miraculin, which plays tricks on our taste buds and turns everything sweet into sour. The red berries originally come from Africa, are about the size of an olive and taste similar to a cranberry. The effect of giving everything a certain sweetness is not only suitable for a few fun taste experiments, but could also make diabetic hearts beat faster in the future as a low-calorie sweetener substitute.
Sold in powder, juice, puree or capsule form, it is rich in important antioxidants. The berry, which comes from the rainforests of the Amazon, is considered a staple food in South America and serves as a he althy addition to muesli, desserts or smoothies. In Germany it is one of the so-called "superfoods" due to the many vitamins, minerals and fiber it contains. It is even said to have healing powers, such as lowering cholesterol levels, inhibiting inflammation, strengthening the heart, rejuvenating the skin and helping to fight cancer.
5. Cherimoya or Sugar Apple
The exotic fruit, already valued by the Incas, has also found its way to us in Europe. The cherimoya, which is cultivated in Spain, among other places, is about the size of an apple and contains large black seeds inside. However, these should not be eaten when eating. The heart-shaped fruits are usually offered in stores when they are still unripe, but can be eaten after a few days. The white flesh is reminiscent of the taste of strawberry or raspberry cream and can easily be scooped out. It also contains a lot of vitamin C and various minerals and is particularly suitable for the preparation of an unusual dessert.
Well, atnext visit to the supermarket: open your eyes. Taking a closer look at the fruit assortment can definitely lead to one or the other discovery of one of these super fruits. With a bit of courage and a willingness to experiment, you might find a new favorite fruit and impress the next guest with unusual creations.