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. It 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.
