20 Fruits You May Never Have Heard Of
1. Hala fruit
A Hala fruit is a fruit that is native to Hawaii, Australia and the Marshall Islands. It is reminiscent of a pinecone mixed with a pineapple. The fruit is made up of many different segments, which are called keys or cones. The inside of the keys are edible and taste like sugary mango.
On the next page you’ll find a strange fruit called the Buddha’s hand.
2. Buddha’s hand
This yellow, creepy looking fruit is called Buddha’s hand. It’s actually a variety of citrus fruit, which is segmented into finger-like segments. Its origins are tracked back to India and China, where most domesticated citrus fruits originate. The Buddha’s hand fruit contains no pulp or juice, unlike its other citrus cousins.
On the next page you’ll find a fruit that looks like it has the skin of a reptile.
3. Snake fruit
This Indonesian fruit has a very distinct appearance. Its outside is prickly like a cactus and, most notably, covered in what appears to be snakeskin. The fruit is about the size of a fig and grows in clusters of fifteen to forty fruits. Its edible inside has the texture of a garlic clove and tastes a bit like a crunchy pineapple.
On the next page you’ll find a prickly fruit called the African horned cucumber.
4. African horned cucumber
This unusual fruit has spiny horns on its green, yellow or orange skin. When the skin ahs turned a bright deep orange, it is ready to eat. The pulp inside the fruit, which looks a bit like green Jell-O, tastes unlike any other fruit. It is described as “sweet-sour, banana-lime, tropical fruit tasting”.
On the next page you’ll find a fruit called Cherimoya
5. Cherimoya
The Cherimoya is an edible fruit native to Ecuador and Peru. It grows in tropical, subtropical regions throughout the world. American writer Mark Twain called the cherimoya “the most delicious fruit known to men”. The inside of the fruit tis creamy and sweet, giving it the nickname “the custard apple”.
On the next page you’ll find a tropical fruit called Mangosteen.
6. Mangosteen
This tropical fruit that is native to Asia is also called the “queen of fruits”. The insides of a mangosteen taste like a mix between lychee, grape and apple. It is sweet and juicy. Its texture is soft, juicy and stringy. You can even eat the purple skin of the fruit, but this has a taste that is more bitter than sweet.
On the next page you’ll find the miracle fruit, which has one very strange characteristic.
7. Miracle fruit
This fruit, which is appropriately named “miracle fruit”, is an extremely strange fruit. When eaten, it causes sour foods, like vinegar, lemon and lime, to taste sweet. This strange effect is because of “miraculin”, which is a glycoprotein module that binds to the tongue’s taste buds and alters your taste. The effect lasts up to 30 minutes.
On the next page you’ll find a relative of the lychee: the rambutan.
8. Rambutan
This unique fruit is covered in red spiny “hairs”, giving it a very distinct appearance. It is native to Southeast Asia and closely related to the lychee. The flesh of rambutans is whitish or a very pale pink, with a sweet, mildly sour flavor that tastes a bit like grapes.
On the next page you’ll find a fruit that goes by the nickname of “chocolate pudding fruit”
9. Black sapote
This fruit is called the black sapote, or “chocolate pudding fruit”. Its taste is unlike any other fruit in the world, containing delightful tones of honey, caramel and dates. The best time to eat this fruit is when the outer appearance looks like its past its prime and bruised. The texture of a perfectly ripe black sapote is creamy and mushy.
On the next page you’ll find another relative of the lychee: the ackee.
10. Ackee
The ackee is a fruit that is related to the lychees and the rambutan you saw earlier in this list. It has a reputation as being poisonous with potential fatalities, but when ripe, prepared properly and cooked it is renowned as delicious. The ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and considered a delicacy. It has a nut-like flavor and the texture of scrambled eggs.
On the next page you’ll find the so-called “king of fruits”.
11. Durian
The “king of fruits” is known for its extreme smell. The fruit, which is easily recognized because of its dangerous-looking prickly skin, can grow to weigh up to 8kg (17lbs). The taste of a durian can be compared to custard, garlic, onion and blue cheese… combined. It’s a taste you might need to get used to before you are able to enjoy it fully.
On the next page you’ll find a fruit called dragonfruit.
12. Dragonfruit
Dragon fruit or pity is a fruit of several different cactus species that were originally only found in the America’s. Nowadays, the fruits are cultivated all over the world. When ripe, the flavor of a dragon fruit is described as a mildly sweet blend of pear and kiwi. Under-ripe dragon fruit has barely any flavor.
On the next page you’ll find a lesser known berry.
13. Mulberries
These colorful berries are often made into wine, fruit juice, tea, jam or canned foods. They can also be dried and eaten as a snack. The berries’ taste ranges from very sweet to tart-sweet. The trees on which they grow are coveted for their leaves, because they are the only kind of leaf that a silkworm will eat.
On the next page you’ll find an interesting fruit called the akebia.
14. Akebia
The Akebia fruit is commonly known as the chocolate vine. It contains a sweet, soft pulp that resembles a white dragonfruit. The flesh of the fruit is soft and crunchy, with a mildly sweet and lightly bitter flavor. In your mouth, the flesh melts into a semi-sweet liquid with notes of coconut, pear and melon. It is native to Japan, where it is considered quite bland. Purple Akebi fruits sold on markets are however very popular with tourists, to eat or to take back home as a luxury gift.
On the next page you’ll find the fruity equivalent of caviar.
15. Australian Finger Lime
This unique fruit is native to the eastern coastal rain forest of Australia. When the outer peel is cut in half, the pearlescent juice vesicles stream out like an eruption. The finger lime’s vesicles are round and resemble caviar. The flavor of these vesicles is reminiscent of very intense lemon or limes, with herbal notes. You can squeeze the fruit onto your tongue and enjoy the flavor of this incredible fruit.
On the next page you’ll find a tropical twist on a common fruit.