Other Exotic Fruits

Akebia
(Akebia sp. -- Family Lardizabalaceae)

Akebia is the name of the fruits from either of two climbing shrubs found in China, Korea, and Japan. Although appreciated in their native regions, the fruits are rarely cultivated. Each tree produces clusters of one, two, or three greyish, purplish fruits that resemble small bananas in shape. Those of the A. trifoliata can reach lengths of five inches and burst open when ripe to reveal semi-transparent flesh containing numerous black seeds. The flesh, which has a faint flavour, and the skin are edible. In Japan, the seeds are removed from the fruit and stuffed with miso and other ingredients. The whole thing is tied up and lightly fried. As what often happens, it is the filling, not what encases it, that is tasty. The dried leaves of the plant are used in teas.

Ambarella (Sinhalese), Brazil plum, hog plum, Golden apple, Otaheite-apple/Tahitian quince/vi (Tahiti), Jew plum (Jamaica), pomme cythère/évi (French), Cytherea/Tahiti-Apfel (German), ciruela dulce (Cuba), amara (Hindi), kedongdong (Malay/Indonesian), ma kik farang (Thai), caja-manga (Brazil), jobo de la India (Venezuela)
(Spondias dulcis, formerly S. cytherea -- Family Anacardiaceae)

Ambarella is related to the mombin, and native to the Society Islands; but it is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, especially southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is cultivated, but not on a large scale. The plum-like fruits are grayish-orange and grow in clusters of two to ten fruits. Each fruit contains a single seed, much like an avocado, and is surrounded by a yellowish pulp which is pleasantly sour. The taste is a mix of apple and pineapple, but the aroma is sometimes resinous and pungent. Although the fruit is popular in the West Indies, it actually originated in Polynesia and is occasionally exported only during the winter. The unripened fruits are often pickled or used in soups, while the ripened fruits are used in sauces, drinks, and preserves.

Bael fruit, bil (Hindi), ma toom (Thai), bau nau (Vietnamese), bilak/maja pahit (Malay), kawista/maja (Indonesian)
(Aegle marmelos -- Family Rutaceae)

It is a tree which grows wild in much of northern India and Southeast Asia and belongs to the citrus family of fruits. It is not related to the quince, although it is sometimes called Bengal or Indian quince. The fruits, which look something like grayish-yellow oranges, may have a thin hard shell or a softer thicker skin. Inside, the pulp is yellow, gummy, and full of seeds. Despite its appearance, it does have an aromatic, refreshing flavour and can be eaten as is or served with a palm sugar (jaggery) or used in marmalades or drinks. Hindus hold it sacred and use it in their religious worship, and consider it a sacrilege to cut down a bael tree. Yet, to die under one assures immediate salvation.

Belimbing Asam
carambole bilimbi/cornichon des Indes (French), kamranga (Bengali), taling pling (Thai), belimbing asam/belimbing buloh (Malay), belimbing wuluh (Indonesian), kamias (Philippines), birinbin (Japanese), bimbling plum (Jamaica), blimblin (Haiti), grosella China (Cuba), mimbro (El Salvador/Nicaragua)
(Averrhoa bilimbi -- Family Oxalidaceae)

Belimbin asam is a fruit-bearing tree native to Malasia, and has no English name. "Asam" refers to the sourness of the fruit, which is also distinguishable by its smooth, unridged, yellowish-green skin, looking a little like a pickle. Juicy and acidic, this fruit is used in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines for making such pickles as the Malay "sunti"; in curries; and stewed as a vegetable. In Indonesia, it is carmelized with sugar to make a sweetmeat known as "manisan". Dried slices of the fruit are also available in local markets. Related to carambola, belimbing asam reached the West Indies toward the end of the 18th century and has since been planted throughout Central America, and also grown extensively in Zanzibar.

Bignay, Chinese laurel, salamander tree, currant tree
antidème (French), Bignay/Salamanderbaum (German), himal cheri (Nepal), nolai-tali (Tamil), ma mao luang (Thai), buni (Indonesian), bignai (Philippines), nanyogomishi (Japanese), chunka (Australia aborigine), huni/wuni (Sudan)
(Antidesma bunius -- Family Euphorbiaceae)

Bignay is a tree native to Southeast Asia and Western Australia, which bears long clusters of fruit containing thirty or forty purple berries, each less than an inch in diameter. The clusters of berries are very colourful because they ripen unevenly. Red ones can be seen in the same cluster as ripe purple ones, as well as white ones and yellowish-green nes. They are too acidic to eat raw, but their high pectin content makes them ideal for jams or to combine with other fruits having less pectin. The whole cluster, whether all are ripe or not, can be picked for this purpose.

Biriba
(Rollinia mucosa or R. deliciosa -- Family Annonaceae)

Some botanists distinguish between the two species, but biriba is usually classified as R. mucosa. Biriba is the fruit of the tree native to Brazil which many people think is the best fruit of all in this family. It is now cultivated in Brazil and Peru, but plays little part in commerce. The fruit can be found in other parts of tropical America from northern Argentina to southern Mexico and the Caribbean islands. The fruit is three to five inches long, with a creamy-yellow skin. The flesh is white or cream-coloured, with a sweet, juicy flavour. Some Brazilians call this 'sugar apple' the "Count's fruit"; while, in Rio de Janeiro, the biriba is known as the "Countess' fruit".

Bullock's Heart, custard apple
(Annona reticulata -- Family Annonaceae)

Bullock's heart is a fruit of a tree native to the West Indies, thriving in coastal and lowland regions. It spread to Central America and southern Mexico in very early times as both the Astecs and Maya had names for it. The Portuguese were largely responsible for taking it to other tropical areas via Africa. The fruit is reddish or brownish on the sunny side and a dull yellow on the other. Its name is the result of its shape, which is like that of a heart of a bullock (or any other large animal). However, like many other foods, it is also known by such other names as sweetsop, as opposed to another fruit known as "soursop". The size of the fruit varies from three to six inches in diameter and may weigh over two pounds. The skin is faintly netted, and the flesh is yellowish white, with the typical custard-like and somewhat granular texture. It is used as a dessert fruit and added to confections. Its use and appreciation is notably higher in Latin America than in India.

Candle tree fruit
(Parmentiera cereifera -- Family Bignoniaceae)

Candletree fruit is not related to the candlenut, but is related to the 'midnight horror' and 'sausage tree fruit'. Candle tree fruit are produced by a twenty-foot tree grown in Panama which bears white or yellow funnel-shaped flowers directly on the trunk or larger branches. These flowers develop into dangling yellow fruits up to three feet in length, and greatly resemble bunches of yellow wax candles hanging from the tree. The fruits, and its edible seeds, are popular in some places in Mexico.

Canistel, egg fruit, yellow sapote
(Pouteria campechiana, formerly L. nervosa and Lucuma rivicoa var. angustifoli -- Family Sapotaceae)

The former generic name was derived from a Peruvian fruit, P. obvata, called 'rucma' by the natives, which was then adapted to 'lucuma' by the invading Spaniards. Canistel remains popular in western Peru, and still grows wild in parts of southern Mexico and other Central American countries, where it is also cultivated. Some Caribbean island countries, especially Cuba, also cultivate the fruit. Its fruits are about the size of an orange, but can reach lengths of five inches. The skin of the ripe fruit is a shiny lemon-yellow or orange-yellow. Inside, the flesh is firm, but softer towards the center and has been likened to that of a hard-boiled egg. The flavour is sweet, but slightly musky and similar to that of a baked sweet potato. The names for this fruit have a bewildering range amongst the locals, including: ti-es, kanis, kanizte, huicon, costiczapotl, and other such derivatives. Some of them mean "drunk", as the fruit quickly ferments after falling to the ground.

Carissa and Karanda
karonda (Hindi), khan (Burmese), nam phrom, nam daeng (Thai), kerenda (Malay), kerenda (Indonesian), caramba (Philippines), mtanda mboo (Swahili)
(Carissa sp. -- Family Apocynaceae)

Carissa is two closely related fruits. Carissa is indigenous to South Africa and Karanda to South Asia. Carissa is a botanical and a common name which refers to the genus of thorny, fruiting shrubs to which both belong. The more popular of the two is Carissa macrocarpa, also known as the Natal plum. In many places, the tree is valued mainly as a thorny hedge and for its fragrant white flowers than for its fruits. The fruits look like scarlet plums with dark red streaks on the skin. The flesh is red and flecked with white containing about a dozen thin, brown seeds. The whole fruit can be eaten without peeling, seeds and all. The texture is slightly granular and the flavour mildly sharp. The semiripe stage makes good jellies and jams, with the ripe fruit also being used in pies. The karanda, C. congesta, is cultivated in India, where it was popular with the British residents as it reminded them of the gooseberry. It is also found in some parts of Southeast Asia and East Africa. The fruits resemble the carissa and are used in a similar manner.

Casaba
(Cucumis melo or C. inodorus -- Family Cucurbitaceae) The cassaba is a group of large, pale yellow winter melons that originated in Turkey. It has a smooth skin and a globular shape, resembling a muskmelon. The ripe fruit has a white or yellow flesh that is sweet and juicy, having a characteristic cucumber flavour. Casabas are extensively cultivated in California, where they were introduced in the 19th century. They contain some protein, carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and Vitamins A, B, and C.

Cassabanana, curuba, banana passion fruit, musk cucumber, sikana, melocotonero/calabaza mélon (Mexico), melo-cotón (Guatemala), cura/melao caboclo/melao maca (Brazil), cojombro (Nicaragua)
(Sicana odorifera -- Family Cucurbitaceae)

Cassabanana is a member of the Gourd family, and likely native to Brazil, but now found throughout tropical America. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental vine; but it is also popular for its fruits in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The fruit is elongated like a passion fruit or a wide-bodied cucumber, and generally about twelve to twenty-four inches long and up to five inches thick. It has a hard, shiny shell which can be red, purple, or black. The juicy, orange pulp has a sharp flavour and needs a little sweetening to make it enjoyable. The texture and aroma are melon-like. The fruit is often used for that reason to repel moths. The interior cavity contains massive rows of tightly packed, oval, flat seeds. The skin of this very large fruit can be peeled in the same way as a banana, and blends well with other fruits in salads. Although refreshing when eaten raw, the cassabanana is more popularly used for making jams. The unripened fruit is good for soups and stews.

Chupa-Chupa
(Quararibea cordata -- Family Bombacaceae)

Chupa-chupa is grown in Peru and Columbia. It is an oval fruit about five inches long, with a flavour between that of an apricot and a mango. It is sometimes called sapote, but so are many other fruits.

Davidson's plum, ooray
(Davidsonia pruriens and D. pruriens var. pruriens -- Family Davidsoniaceae)

Ooray is the fruit of two small trees found in the rainforests of Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia, and is considered one of the best fruits found there. The trees of the north are usually much larger than those of the south (var jerseyana). The blue-black plum-like fruits have some loose hairs on the surface and some small flattened seeds with fibrous coats. The purple flesh is soft and juicy, although somewhat acidic, making it an excellent candidate for jams and preserves. Named after J.E. Davidson, its Latin name means "an itching sensation", which, probably refers to the hairy surface of the leaves and stems.

Duku and Langsat
doukou/lansiam (French), Duku (German), lanza (Spanish), du-ku/lang-sat (Thai), duku/langsat (Malay/Indonesian), lanzone(s) (Philippines)
(Lansium domesticum var. domesticum and L. domesticum var. pubescens -- Family Meliaceae)

Duku and langsat are two Southeast Asian fruits, both classified as Lansium domesticum, even though one can readily be distinguished from the other and are recognized as separate botanical varieties. Duku is more widely cultivated; but the langsat, or wild langsat, is cultivated on a lesser scale. Cultivation takes place mainly in Malaysia, Indonesia (especially Java), and Thailand. The trees are native to West Malaysia, but are now found all over the region. It takes about fifteen years for them to reach maturity; but the wait is worthwhile as they bear clusters of fruit twice a year thereafter. Each variety has its own characteristics. Langsat has about twenty fruits in a cluster, while duku has ten. Duku fruits are round, about two inches in diameter, with thicker skins. Langsat fruits are oval and between one and two inches in diameter, with thin, pale, fawn-coloured skin. The flesh of both is usually white, but some cultivated varieties of duku are pink. Each fruit is composed of five segments of juicy and refreshing flesh that has a tangy sour to sweet taste. Some forms are seedless, while others may contain bitter inedible seeds. The fruits are excellent thirst quenchers and can be eaten raw or preserved.

Emblic, emblic myrobalan
phyllanthe (French), nelli (Tamil), zee-byu/sha-byu/shit-sha (Burmese), ma kham pom (Thai), melaka/asam melaka (Malay), melaka (Indonesian), nelli (Philippines), bong ngot (south) chu me (north)(Vietnam), you gan zi (Chinese), ammaroku (Japanese)
(Phyllanthus emblica or Emblica officinalis -- Family Euphorbiacea)

Emblic is a prized fruit of tropical Asia and regarded as sacred by Hindus, whose religion prescribes that it be included in their diet after a fast in order to restore vitality. The fruit has a very high Vitamin C content; and, during WWII, Indian troops were issued emblic tablets and candies to stave off disease. The Malay name "melaka" is Sanskrit, and Malacca received its name from the tree. Commerical growing takes place mainly in the Indian sub-continent, but also in South China and Southeast Asia. The fruit is round and hard, with six or eight faint ridges. The firmly imbedded stone is also ridged and contains six seeds. When underripe, it is light green, turning to a whitish or dull yellow green or occasionally red as it ripens. The skin is thin, translucent; and the flesh, crisp and juicy. This is a very sour fruit often used for preserves or is candied.

Genip/Ginup, mamoncillo, Spanish lime, honeyberry tree, akee, limoncillo
mamon/mauco/muco (Latin America), grosella de miel (Mexico)
(Melicoccus bijugatus -- Family Sapindaceae)

Genip is a bright green dimpled fruit related to the litchi and akee. The fruit grows in bunches like grapes on large trees that grow in western India, but also cultivated in Hawaii, where they can also be found as ornamentals in backyards. A genip is about the size of a cherry, but looks more like a small lime. For that reason, is sometimes known as Spanish lime or "limoncillo" (little lime). The tough green skin protects a gummy, jelly-like pink pulp that houses together two flattened seeds that look like a single large seed. These seeds can be roasted and eaten like chestnuts or used as a substitute for cassava. The sweet gummy pulp is orangey-pink, but has a refreshing flavour like that of grapes. The flesh is juicy and sweet, with a touch of acidity. Despite its pale colour, ginup juice stains horribly and never comes out.

Grumichama, Brazil cherry
(Eugenia brasiliensis, formerly E. dombeyana -- Family Myrtaceae)

Grumichama is related to a long list of Eugenia fruits that include Pitanga, Rose Apple, Jambu, Jaboticaba, and Pitomba. It is a fruit of Brazil and Peru, but also grows in Hawaii. The tree bears a crimson fruit with soft flesh and a mild flavour. The fruit exists in several varieties that are distinguished by the colour of their flesh. All are of equal merit whether they are dark red, vermillion, or white. The fruit is cherry-sized, with a thin skin, soft flesh, and a mild flavour which has been compared to the bigarreau cherry, making it suitable for eating fresh or for preserves.

Ilama
(Annona diversifolia -- Family Annonaceae)

Ilama is the fruit of the tree native to Mexico, but it is also found elsewhere in Latin America at lower elevations. The skin of these elongated fruits is uncommonly rough, but there are smooth varieties. The colour may be anything from green to magenta pink, with a white bloom. If the skin is pink, the flesh may also have a pink tinge. The flavour of the pink fruits is pleasantly acidic, much like that of a cherimoya. Those of the green varieties is sweeter and closer to a sugar apple. The name is derived from the native Mexican name "illamatzapotl", which translates as "zapote de las viejas" or old woman's sapote. In Mexico, 'llama' is also applied to a related Central American fruit Annona purpurea, generally known as "soncoya" or "cabeza de negro". This is common in the region and cultivated on a small scale. The fruit may grow to a large size, weighing as much as two pounds, but commonly only reach about six inches in length. It is gray-brown in colour, with hard protuberances on the skin. The orange flesh tastes something like that of a papaya or mango.

Imbu/umbu
(Spondias tuberosa -- Family Anacardiaceae)

Imbu is a tropical fruit related to the mombin. It grows wild in the northern Brazil but occasionally cultivated. To some, it is the best of its species. In appearance, the fruit is likened to a greengage plum, between one and two inches in length and greenish yellow in colour. The skin is thicker than that of a plum and quite tough. When ripe, the flavour is juicy and suggestive of that of an orange; but, if eaten before it is fully ripe, it is slightly acidic. The fruit is usually eaten fresh, but more often it is used to make a jelly and the famous Brazilian dish, imbuzada. This greenish white dessert is prepared by adding the juice of the fruit to boiled, sweetened milk.

Imra, hog plum
ma kok (Thai), huah amara (Malay), kedongdong (Indonesian)
(Spondias or Mangifera pinnata -- Family Anacardiaceae)

Imra is the fruit of a tropical tree which grows in the American tropics and Southeast Asia. Related to the mombin, it is considered an inferior species. The fruits are sour and have a disagreeable smell, but can be used for pickling. The tree is cultivated in Malaysia for this purpose. In Indonesia, the fruits are occasionally cooked in Rujak (a spicy fruit salad); but, when a choice is available, the ambarella is preferred over the imra.

Jaboticaba
(Myciaria cauliflora, formerly Eugenia cauliflora -- Family Myrtaceae)

Jaboticaba is a Brazilian fruit much cultivated in the region of Rio de Janeiro. It is related to a list of Eugenia fruits that include Pitanga, Rose Apple, Jambu, Grumichama, and Pitomba. The large tree bears its fruits directly on the trunk, main limbs, and branches. Jaboticaba fruits are round and about an inch in diameter. Their colour can be maroon or purple not unlike that of a grape, but with thicker skin. The white or pinkish pulp is translucent and popular in Brazil, where it is eaten fresh or made into a jelly.

Ketembilla, Ceylon gooseberry
kei apple/unkokolo (Africa), unkolo (Philippines)
(Dovyalis hebecarpa -- Family Flacourtiaceae)

Ketembilla is the fruit of a small shrub native to Sri Lanka. Some varieties resemble a deep purple cherry covered with fine hairs. Others are a soft, golden yellow when ripe and bear a resemblance to the apricot. The flavour is very acidic and makes very good jams. It is now cultivated in a few other tropical countries, including the Philippines, Hawaii, California, and Florida. A related African species, D. caffra, has occurred wild and in cultivated forms in Southwest Africa near the Kei River. It was introduced to the Mediterranean region and grown in the Philippines under the abbreviated name of 'umkolo'.

Kiwanos, horned melon, horned cucumber, African horned cucumber, jelly melon, hedgehog gourd
(Cucumis metuliferus -- Family Cucurbitaceae)

The kiwano is halfway between a vegetable and a fruit as it is not definitively classified as one or the other. Indigenous to tropical Africa, this member of the gourd family was known as the African horned cucumber until it was renamed and trademarked as kiwano for export from New Zealand since 1981. Many goods from New Zealand are marketed with a kiwi prefix after the "kiwi" fruit became so popular. It is also commercially grown in Portugal and the US. This strange-looking, oval fruit has thick bright golden orange skin covered with sharp spikes. Inside, the gelatinous flesh starts out pale, but progresses to a bright green and encases numerous edible seeds, almost like a passion fruit. These seeds are arranged in honeycomb-like compartments within the cavity. The taste is reminiscent of cucumber, banana, and lime, and is one of the largest and tastiest of the African wild cucumbers. The fruit is always eaten raw, along with the seeds; but the skin is inedible. It can be added to a drink or salads with the shells, serving as a decorative dish. Despite its high price, kiwanos grow prolifically, and it is just a matter of time before availability meets demand. Used for centuries in the Kalahari Desert to prevent dehydration, this curiosity does little else for the palate.

Longan/longyen/lungan, Dragon's eye, oeil de dragon (French), Longan (German), mamonchilla de China (Spanish), pitomba (Portuguese), ashphal (Hindi), puretti (Bengali), shepkran (Tamil), lamyai (paa)(Thai), longan (Malay/Indonesian), long yan (Chinese)
(Dimocarpus longan or Euphoria longana -- Family Sapindaceae)

The longan fruit is a distant relative of the litchi. It is round, smaller, and ripen later than the litchi. It also withstands lower temperatures, thriving in areas where the litchi cannot, as Florida. The brittle light brown skin is not warty, and encloses a translucent, jelly-like flesh around a single large inedible stone. The flavour is similar to that of litchi and can be peeled and eaten the same way, but longans have a pleasant peppery tang. Longans are grown throughout Southeast Asia and China, where they are especially popular. Longans are served on their own, in fruit salads, in stir fries, and in sweet and sour dishes. They are also sold canned in syrup.

Lovi-Lovi
prune de la Martinique (French), Lovi-Lovi (German), louvi malayo (Spanish), ta khop thai (Thai), tomi-tomi (Malay), lobi-lobi (Indonesian), louvi/governor's plum/ratiles (Philippines)
(Flacourtia inermis -- Family Flacourtiaceae)

Lovi-lovi is a fruit related to ramontchi and rukam. It is now cultivated in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka for both its fruit and decorative foliage. The fruits are round, cherry-sized, and dark red when ripe. Some are sweet, but most are sour and astringent, and normally used for making jams and syrups.

Mamey/mammee/mamee, San Domingo, South American apricot
abricot de St. Domingue (French), Mameyapfel (German), maney de Santo Domingo (Spanish), abricozeiro (Portuguese), abricó do Pará (Brazil)
(Mammea americana -- Family Guttiferaceae)

Mamey is a fruit native to the West Indies, but now cultivated throughout tropical America and, to some extent, in Southeast Asia. A close relative, Mammea america, grows wild in Central America, but is cultivated in Florida. The fruit grows on a tropical evergreen tree and belongs to the same family as the mangosteen. A mamey fruit is the size of a large orange, round but with slight points at the top and bottom. The tough skin is russet in colour and covers three seeds. The pulp is firm, orangey-golden in colour, and with a flavour something like an apricot. It is often stewed and made into jam or ice cream.

Midnight horror
(Oroxylum indicum -- Family Bignoniaceae)

This unusual fruit with a curious name is one from a small tree found from India to China to Malaysia. Its large seed pods are extremely conspicuous, reaching up to four feet in length and about three inches in width. These pods hang down from sparsely-leafed branches. The seeds are edible, but the bark and the fruit are more often used for tanning and dyeing purposes.

Paniala
(Flacourtia cataphracta -- Family Flacourtiaceae)

This fruit is a native to India and Malaysia, but now cultivated in the Far East and in the New World. It resembles the rukam, except its fruits are maroon-purple in colour.

Pitanga, Surinam cherry, Brazilian cherry, Cayenne cherry
cereza de cayena (Spanish), pendanga (Venezuela), cereza quadrada (Colombia), Surinaamsche kers/zoete kers/monkie monkie kers (Surinam), cerise de Cayenne (French Guiana)
(Eugenia uniflora -- Family Myrtaceae)

The pitanga is native to a region extending from Central America to Brazil. The shrub, or small tree, bears flowers singly or in groups of up to four. These, in turn, bear small ribbed fruits that progress in colour from green to orange to red to dark purple when fully ripe. They are edible after suitable preparation, which involves splitting them open, removing the resinous seeds, chilling them to eliminate the aroma, and finally sprinkling with a sweetener. They can also be made into chutneys. In Brazil, the juice is made into vinegar. It was the Portuguese who "discovered" the shrub in Central America and named it. They were also instrumental in spreading the fruit around the world. A number of suitable cultivars have been developed, yielding delicious, juicy fruits.

Pitaya, strawberry pear
pitahaya de cardón (Guatemala)
(Hylocereus undatus -- Family Cactaceae)

Pitaya is the Spanish name for this fruit and for other closely related cacti. It can be spelled in various ways and sometimes accompanied by such an epithet as " roja" (red) or "blanca" (white) in Mexico. The cacti bearing these fruits are indigenous to Central America; but they are now cultivated in the West Indies, Florida, and other tropical regions. The fruit is oval to oblong and may be four inches in length. Varying in colour, they may be bright red, peach-coloured, or yellow. The pulp is sweet and juicy, but contains numerous black seeds. The juice makes a good drink; and the fruit can be cut in half, chilled and eaten with a spoon.

Pulasan, nephelium (French), Pulasan (German), ngoh kon saan (Thai), pulasan (Malay/Indonesian), bulala (Philippines)
(Nephelium mutabile -- Family Sapindaceae)

Pulasan is closely related to the rambutan, but has much shorter hairs on the dark red skin. In most varieties, the seed is large and there is little pulp; but what there is, is delicate and sweeter than that of the rambutan. In addition, the seed is more easily removed, although there is a seedless variety grown in Thailand. The fruit is either eaten raw as is or made into jam.

Rambi
kanazo (Burmese), ma fai farang (Thai), tampoi/setambun/rambai (Malay), ranbau (Indonesian), rambi (Philippines)
(Baccaurea sp. -- Family Euphorbiaceae)

Rambi is the Malay name for fruits of several trees native to Malaysia and Indonesia. Two or three are cultivated and have sweeter and better fruits than the others. B. motleyana, the main Malaysian and Indonesian species, is a moderately large evergreen tree, of which the female produces abundant clusters of fruit that hang on long strings. Each fruit is oval, between one and two inches in length, with a thin velvety pale brown skin. When ripe, this skin becomes soft and wrinkled. It can, only then, be distinguished from the duku and langsat fruits. A soft translucent whitish flesh surrounds a few flat, brown seeds. Cultivated varieties have a sweet, mild flavour and are refreshing when eaten raw. Wild trees produce fruits which are too acidic to be eaten raw, but are better suited to preserves. B. dulcis has similar, but larger and sweeter, fruits grown in the south of Sumatra, where it is known as "tjoepa". B. sapida is cultivated for its fruits in India, and is sometimes known as the Burmese grape. There are many other wild species of the jungle whose fruits are eaten locally in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Rambutan
ramboutan/litchi chevelu (French), Rambutan (German), rambutan (Sri Lanka), ngoh (paa)(Thai), rambutan/gente (Malay), rambutan (Indonesian/Philippines), hong mao dan (Chinese)
(Nephelium lappaceum -- Family Sapindaceae)

Rambutan is a fruit related to the litchi, and sometimes called "hairy litchis". Originally from Malaysia, it now grows in tropical Central America, South-East Asia, aswell as in Sri Lanka and Zanzibar, where they were introduced by Arab traders. Rambutans are larger than litchis, averaging about two inches in length. Their larger size may be the allusion given by the long "hairs". It is these hairs that gave the fruit its name of "rambut", which is Malay for hair. They actually resemble small, hairy animals with reddish-brown leathery skin. The fruits vary in quality and type. Colours range from crimson to greenish to yellow or orange. The inner part is smaller than the litchi and has a similar texture. The flavour has a slightly sharper taste, somewhat like an almond; but it can be used in exactly the same way as the litchi. To open the fruit, cut around the "equator" with a sharp knife penetrating only the skin. Lift off the top half of the skin, leaving the fruit on the half shell like an egg in an egg cup. It can be added to fruit salads or made into jams but it is best eaten raw by itself.

Ramontchi, Governor's plum
prune de Madagascar/grosse prune de café (French), echte Flacourtie (German), ramontchi/ciruela governadora (Spanish), uguressa (Sri Lanka), na-yu-wai (Burmese), ta khop paa (Thai), kerkup kechil (Malay/Indonesian)
(Flacourtia ramontchi or F. indica -- Family Flacourtiaceae)

It is a shrubby tree native to India and of the same genus as lovi-lovi and rukam. It was introduced to islands of the South Indian Ocean, and is now found throughout the tropics. Like other Flacourtia species, it often becames naturalized after escaping cultivation. The fruit is like a red plum in shape, size, and colour. The pulp is yellowish-white, juicy, but a little acidic. Some cultivated varieties are sweet enough to be eaten raw, and unripened fruits make good preserves.

Rukam
prune malgache/prunier café/prune de Chine (French), Batoko/Madagaskarpflaume (German), ciruela de Madagascar (Spanish), ta khop thai (Thai), rukam (Malay), rukem (Indonesian)
(Flacourtia rukam -- Family Flacourtiaceae)

Rukam comes from a tree of the same genus as ramontchi and lovi-lovi. Native to Asia and Madagascar, it is often found naturalized throughout the Asian tropics, but it has been introduced to the American tropics and subtropics. The roundish fruits are about an inch in diameter, and, when ripe, nearly black in colour. They have a yellowish white pulp, with a juicy but acidy taste. They vary in sweetness, but there is at least one variety which is good to eat raw. Most are made into jams. Another species, F. cataphracta, the paniala, is cultivated in the Far East, but has been introduced to the New World. Its fruits are cherry-sized and a russet-purple colour which resemble the rukam.

Santol
thit-to (Burmese), kra thon (Thai), sentul/kecapi (Malay), santol (Philippines)
(Sandoricum koetjape, formerly S. indicum -- Family Meliaceae)

Santol is a fruit from a tree native to Malaysia and parts of Indochina; having been introduced to Indonesia, the Philippines, and Mauritius long ago. The tree grows fast, producing an abundance of round fruits with tough, yellowish-brown skins enclosing five segements of white pulp. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, candied, or pickled. The Filipinos seem to be the greatest enthusiasts, and are breeding trees of superior quality. Like the duku and langsat, the santol also has a twin. One form appears as a sweet fruit with leaves that wither yellow, and the other is a sour form whose leaves turn red. The latter is also called "kechapi". These fruits sometimes have the aroma of peaches. The preserved pulp is used medicinally as an astringent, as is the quince in Europe. Crushed leaves are also made into a poultice for itching skin.

Sausage tree fruit
(Kigelia pinnata -- Family Bignoniaceae)

This highly unusual fruit comes from an African tree having a fifty-foot spread. It also grows in Florida and other warm areas for its curious fruits. They look like sausages that grow in clusters, with each being about eighteen inches long and four inches in diameter. The orange-yellow flowers have red spots, and often have an unpleasant fragrance. The flesh and seeds are edible, but the seeds are usually roasted first.

Wampee
mafai cheen (Thai), wampi/wampoi (Malay), wampi/huampi (Philippines)
(Clausenia/Clausena lansium -- Family Rutaceae)

The wampee is from a Chinese fruit tree which is also cultivated in Southeast Asia and in the West Indies. It is a very distant relative of the citrus fruits and resembles miniature limes. Growing in clusters, this small yellow-green fruit contains an aromatic, mildly acid pulp which is pleasant to eat raw or as a jam. Other trees of the same genus have medicinal, rather than edible, properties. Clausenia excavata has some interesting Malay names: pokok kemantu (ghostly tree) and pokok cerek (diarrhea tree).

Water lemon, yellow granadilla, sweet cup, Jamaica honeysuckle
sawarot (Thai), buah susu (Malay), mizuremon (Japanese), pomme d'liane/maritambou (French West Indies), parcha (de culebra)(Latin America), maracujá (Portuguese America)
(Passiflora laurifolia -- Family Passifloraceae)

Very closely related to the Giant Granadilla, the water lemon is found in many parts of Latin America and the West Indies. It has oval, yellow or orange fruits which are about three inches long. They are eaten raw or used for juice. The pulp is sweet and pleasantly scented and much like that of another close relative, the true passion fruit, Passiflora edulis. It is now grown in some regions of Southeast Asia where the climate is not suited for the true passion fruit.

Wood apple, elephant apple
(Feronia limonia, formerly F. elephantum -- Family Rosaceae)

The wood apple is found in most parts of the Indian sub-continent and eastwards to the China Sea. Its former botanical name reflects the fact that elephants liked to eat them; so did monkeys, which is evidenced in the Sanskrit name "kapipriya" meaning 'dear to monkeys. The round gray fruit is about the size of an apple, having hard shells and containing a brown pulp used to make sherbets, jellies, and chutneys in India. The pulp is also eaten raw with a sweetener or spices, but doing so is inconvenient because of the numerous small seeds. The tree exudes a gum which closely resembles Gum Arabic but is whiter, more transparent, more expensive, and superior in viscosity.

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