Apple, banana, grape - everyone probably knows these classics. We provide variety and introduce you to ten unknown and exotic types of fruit.
Fruit trees in the garden are wonderful: in the spring they bear beautiful flowers, making them some of the most bee-friendly plants around, and in the summer they provide shade and (unlike other garden plants) require little attention. But the best thing is probably the sweet and he althy fruits that hang on their branches year after year and provide us with important vitamins. However, if you look in the gardens and on the plates, you always come across the same types of fruit. In addition to apple (Malus), pear (Pyrus) and Co. there are other fruits that are characterized by a great taste. We have selected ten rare types of fruit for you, which unjustly lead a shadowy existence.
Are you looking for a type of fruit that not everyone has? These ten unknown fruits are definitely worth a look.
10. Strawberry Tree
A tree that grows strawberries (Fragaria)? Unfortunately, no. Although the name Strawberry Tree (Arbutus) might suggest otherwise, the small red fruits of this tree are not strawberries, even though they look confusingly similar. A look at the bright orange interior will dispel any doubts. In terms of taste, the fruits of the strawberry tree do not convince everyone because they are rather tasteless. However, the tree is ideal as an eye-catcher in the garden: its dense foliage, the attractive bell-shaped flowers that it bears in winter and its peeling bark make it a real eye-catcher. And the red fruits also provide bright splashes of color in the garden. In a mild wine-growing climate, the strawberry tree can be planted in the garden, otherwise it can also be cultivated in a bucket.
9. Chokeberry
The chokeberry, also known by its Latin name Aronia, has recently become one of the insider tips when it comes to he althy eating and is therefore very trendy.In particular, their high content of vitamin C and antioxidants ensures that the chokeberry has become a real fashion fruit. What few people know, however, is that the vitamin bomb can also be grown in your own garden without any problems. The fruit tree is only about two and a half meters high and is therefore also suitable for smaller gardens. At the same time, the chokeberry is particularly robust and hardy and, with its white flowers, is a real ornament even in spring.
8. Caramel Berry
Sweets that grow on trees are probably every child's dream - with caramel berries (Leycesteria formosa) this fantasy almost becomes reality: from June to September the colorful ones shine , spike-shaped flowers of the plant and waft an enchanting scent of caramel through the garden. The impressive autumn colors of the shrub are also truly impressive. Over the course of the year, the impressive individual blossoms develop into red berries, which are almost black towards the end of ripening and are characterized by a bitter, caramel-like taste. In the garden, the caramel berry is extremely easy to care for, but needs additional frost protection in winter.
7. pear pear
The pear pear (Amelanchier) can actually be found in a relatively large number of gardens because it is an almost unique ornamental tree with its numerous flowers in spring and its spectacular autumn colours. But the fruit of the pear, on the other hand, often goes unnoticed by people and falls primarily to the winged gourmets - a shame when you consider that the blue-black, small balls are a real treat. Sweet and aromatic, their flavor is reminiscent of blueberries, making them perfect for jams and jellies - but they can also be eaten raw or made into wine.
It was already known to the ancient Greeks and was also popular in Germany - over time, however, the cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) slowly fell into oblivion. Wrongly so, because the dogwood family (Cornaceae) has a lot to offer: With its fragile flower decoration, which consists of thousands upon thousands of tiny cymes, the cornelian cherry is a real beauty. But also hersThe shiny red to almost black berries are a real treat with their sour taste and are highly aromatic both raw and processed into jam. In addition, the cornelian cherry is extremely robust: the fruit tree thrives in almost any location and even during dry periods.
5. Indian Banana
As unusual as the name of the Indian banana (Asimina triloba), which is called Pawpaw in its North American homeland, is as misleading as it can be: the exotic fruit tree actually belongs to the genus of the cream apple family (Annonaceae) and is therefore neither related to the banana (Musa), nor does it look particularly similar to it. In reality, the elongated fruit with the smooth, greenish-yellow skin is probably best compared to a papaya (Carica papaya). The skin hides the yellow, creamy flesh that combines the tropical taste of mango (Mangif.webpera indica), banana and melon (Cucumis melo). and can be easily spooned out. But it is not only in the tropics that you can experience the taste of this exotic species - with a winter hardiness down to -25 °C and a robust nature, the Indian banana is also suitable for the home garden.
Because it has the word "ornamental" in its name, many people think that the ornamental quince (Chaenomeles) is not meant to be eaten. In fact, the yellow fruits are far too tasty and he althy to just look at. The fruits of the ornamental quince are popularly known as "Northern lemons" because of their colour, their sour taste and their high vitamin C content. In addition to their delicious fruits, the beautiful fruit bush is particularly captivating with its unique flowers: From white to vermillion or even scarlet red, the exotic beauties shine from afar in spring and are an absolute eye-catcher.
3. Medlar
Originally from Asia, the Romans brought the medlar (Mespilus) to Europe, where it became very popular. Today, however, the exotic species can only be found occasionally in cottage gardens - the medlar has so much to offer: in spring, the tree comes up with radiantly beautiful flowers, which are particularly popular with beesare popular, but also cast a spell over people immediately. In autumn, on the other hand, the medlar impresses with a great leaf color in bright orange-yellow. The highlight, however, is their apple-shaped fruit with the distinctive, gaping tip. Although these are still quite hard at the beginning, they take on a mush-like consistency after a short storage period or the first frost and then develop their full sweet and sour aroma. With its slow growth, the medlar is also very suitable for small gardens and is sufficiently hardy, even if it does not mind a warm place.
The name says it all: The fruits of the exotic blue cucumber tree (Decaisnea fargesii) consist of elongated pods up to 20 centimeters long, which catch the eye with their striking coloration. The intense blue fruits provide an impressive highlight, especially in autumn after the leaves have fallen, which is why the blue cucumber tree is also often used as an ornamental tree. But the blue pods can also convince in terms of taste - the gelatinous interior has a slightly sweet taste and is particularly popular in western China. With its pinnate leaves and hanging panicles up to 50 centimeters long, the blue cucumber tree is also a great sight in itself, which can also be grown in Germany thanks to its winter hardiness.
1. Jujube
In Germany, the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a true rarity, but in its homeland of China, the fruit is as popular as apples are in our country. No wonder, when you consider that their taste, with its mild sweetness and slightly acidic note, is said to be reminiscent of baked apples. The jujube, also known as Chinese dates or jujubes, is not only impressive because of its taste. Its feathery leaves shine in autumn with a golden yellow color and the numerous small flowers exude a pleasantly subtle scent. In addition, the jujube is extremely he althy with its high vitamin C content. Even in the garden, the rare exotic cuts a fine figure: It is frost hardy down to -20 °C and is also ideal for keeping in tubs.
Not only among the fruit trees there are numerous rare and unknown varieties - here you will find 9Berries you've probably never heard of.