The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: MarkoS on October 25, 2012, 09:23:13 AM

Title: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: MarkoS on October 25, 2012, 09:23:13 AM
Sometimes the fruits mentioned here catch my attention once I see them for the first time.  I seen the articles posted on the net that talks about the most exotic looking fruits.  The list is rather tame compared to what I've now seen through this forum.  Take for instance "The other miracle fruit - Katemfe".  What do you think is the most unique looking fruits, vegetables, and nuts?  I'll start with the list with those I've seen in top ten lists.  Then add a few I've found here and elsewhere.  I looking for those edibles that become the conversation piece in any tropical fruit garden.  Of course pictures are a must on this one.

-- Top 10 Lists --
Dragon Fruit
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Pitaya_cross_section_ed2.jpg/250px-Pitaya_cross_section_ed2.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Pitaya_cross_section_ed2.jpg/250px-Pitaya_cross_section_ed2.jpg)

Rambutan
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Rambutans_by_Muhammad_Mahdi_Karim.jpg/220px-Rambutans_by_Muhammad_Mahdi_Karim.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Rambutans_by_Muhammad_Mahdi_Karim.jpg/220px-Rambutans_by_Muhammad_Mahdi_Karim.jpg)

Bitter Mellon
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Bittermelloncloseup.jpg/200px-Bittermelloncloseup.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Bittermelloncloseup.jpg/200px-Bittermelloncloseup.jpg)

Kiwano (African Cucumber)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Kiwano_2009.jpg/220px-Kiwano_2009.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Kiwano_2009.jpg/220px-Kiwano_2009.jpg)

Star Fruit
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Averrhoa_carambola_ARS_k5735-7.jpg/220px-Averrhoa_carambola_ARS_k5735-7.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Averrhoa_carambola_ARS_k5735-7.jpg/220px-Averrhoa_carambola_ARS_k5735-7.jpg)

Jackfruit
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Artocarpus_heterophyllus_fruits_at_tree.jpg/220px-Artocarpus_heterophyllus_fruits_at_tree.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Artocarpus_heterophyllus_fruits_at_tree.jpg/220px-Artocarpus_heterophyllus_fruits_at_tree.jpg)

Durian
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Durian.jpg/220px-Durian.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Durian.jpg/220px-Durian.jpg)

Ackee
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Akee.jpg/220px-Akee.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Akee.jpg/220px-Akee.jpg)

Budah's Hand Citrus
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Buddhas_hand_2.jpg/240px-Buddhas_hand_2.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Buddhas_hand_2.jpg/240px-Buddhas_hand_2.jpg)

Noni
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Morinda_citrifolia_Fruit.jpg/220px-Morinda_citrifolia_Fruit.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Morinda_citrifolia_Fruit.jpg/220px-Morinda_citrifolia_Fruit.jpg)

Achiote
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Lipstick02_EdisonFord_Asit.jpg/120px-Lipstick02_EdisonFord_Asit.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Lipstick02_EdisonFord_Asit.jpg/120px-Lipstick02_EdisonFord_Asit.jpg)

Jaboticaba
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Jabuticaba_%281%29.jpg/180px-Jabuticaba_%281%29.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Jabuticaba_%281%29.jpg/180px-Jabuticaba_%281%29.jpg)

-- Other Oddities --
Monkey Pot Nut
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Sapucaia.jpg/220px-Sapucaia.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Sapucaia.jpg/220px-Sapucaia.jpg)

Zabala
http://www.fruitipedia.com/Zabala2.jpg (http://www.fruitipedia.com/Zabala2.jpg)

Katemfe
http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/The-Sweetest-Fuits-3.jpg (http://i1-news.softpedia-static.com/images/news2/The-Sweetest-Fuits-3.jpg)


*** mod edit:  removed the hot linked images ***
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on October 25, 2012, 10:25:11 AM
Hi Marko,

For me;

(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/Gak2.jpg)
Gac

(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/salak03-1.jpg)
 Salak
 
(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/update%20of%20my%20fruit%20orchard/IMG_2848.jpg)
Monstera

(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/DSCF0012.jpg)
Marang
 
(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/Ilama-Annona_diversifolia.jpg)
Illama
 
(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/P1040560.jpg)
Pulasan

(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/Marolo.jpg)
Marolo

(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/fruit_monkey_orange.jpg)
Maboque

(http://s13.postimage.org/8ekx0wmur/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/8ekx0wmur/)

(http://s13.postimage.org/xyn77c88j/ab_2.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xyn77c88j/)
Pequi

There's is so many...only these came to mind :)

Though, I reckon the king will win it, as the most exotic fruit in the world  ;)
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: tabbydan on October 25, 2012, 10:32:27 AM
Artocarpus (tonkinesis, lakoocha)....

Theobroma bicolor

Herrania (any)

Grewia biloba

Garcinia quaesita

I don't see why jaboticaba is "odd looking" the fruit is just a sphere, if you mean because it is califlorous(sp?) there are a lot of ones that are califlorous
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: MarkoS on October 25, 2012, 11:14:33 AM
I think you're right, the jaboticaba was on those published internet lists for being cauliflorous.  Which is why those lists amuse me now that I'm seeing some of the varieties being grown.

I have to add a picture of the Theobrama bicolor here for others.  I really like the texture of the fruit's skin.  It looks like the egg from a space alien.  I've been tempted to grow cacao, but now I think I may need to rethink this.

Theobrama bicolor (Pataxte Cacao)
http://www.maya-archaeology.org/Mayan_anthropology_ethnography_archaeology_art_history_iconography_epigraphy_ethnobotany/Pataxte_Theobroma_bicolor_Mayan_ethnobotany.jpg (http://www.maya-archaeology.org/Mayan_anthropology_ethnography_archaeology_art_history_iconography_epigraphy_ethnobotany/Pataxte_Theobroma_bicolor_Mayan_ethnobotany.jpg)

mod edit: Removed hot linked image.
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: tabbydan on October 25, 2012, 12:06:18 PM

(http://s9.postimage.org/fhxr2q9mz/goraka.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/fhxr2q9mz/)

This is the closest thing I can get to what the goraka looked like (G. quaesita) mine was darker and stranger looking.

Those T. bicolor shells in the picture look old.  Usually the fruit shell is light green to dull yellow (or somewhere in between).  The outer part seems to be made of the same gummy material that T. cacao pods are so you think it will be easy to open them.  The problem is the inner part of the shell has tough fibers so cutting it open is actually harder than for T. cacao or even T. grandilfora (I usually hacksaw T. grandiflora).
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: tabbydan on October 25, 2012, 02:53:27 PM
Hi Marko,

For me;

(http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd365/Moonshadow69/Gak2.jpg)

One advantage to Gak is the seeds look real weird too, they are like little gears, can never figure out why they are such an odd shape.

For all it's oddness Gak is very disappointing as a fruit... it has a weak earthy flavor.  Supposedly a good source of vitamin A precursors (the red color) and some other stuff.  I cooked some with rice once and was really unimpressed (flavor wise).  It's not bad, just dull.
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: Tim on October 25, 2012, 06:11:01 PM
Please spell it as GAC and not GAK  ;D
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: BMc on October 25, 2012, 06:21:55 PM
There is also the artocarpus that looks like a rambutan on steroids. I think its a strain of Pedalai, but I'll have to check one of the old mags for picture/caption. Its much more flamboyant thant the regular pedalai. Pindaiba is another awesome looking fruit. Some types of rollinia are very alien.
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: NewGen on October 25, 2012, 10:39:35 PM
Check these out:
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/14.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/7-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/5-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/1-3.jpg)
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: Tim on October 25, 2012, 11:30:12 PM
Chinese lanterns are so cool, always so elegant looking.

Newgen - when was the last time you had Trái bình bát?  I went looking for it on my last trip and was thoroughly disappointed, one of those childhood thing I was determined to seek out  ;D
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: NewGen on October 26, 2012, 01:23:36 AM
Chinese lanterns are so cool, always so elegant looking.

Newgen - when was the last time you had Trái bình bát?  I went looking for it on my last trip and was thoroughly disappointed, one of those childhood thing I was determined to seek out  ;D

Tim,
I've never had one. Read much about it in some stories, one of those things I intend to find out, and some other fruits my grandparents and parents told me about. Maybe next summer.
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: red durian on October 26, 2012, 07:41:58 AM

(http://s11.postimage.org/xsskgs7vz/IMG_0636.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xsskgs7vz/)
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: Jackfruitwhisperer69 on October 26, 2012, 03:42:10 PM
Hi Marko

One advantage to Gak is the seeds look real weird too, they are like little gears, can never figure out why they are such an odd shape.

For all it's oddness Gak is very disappointing as a fruit... it has a weak earthy flavor.  Supposedly a good source of vitamin A precursors (the red color) and some other stuff.  I cooked some with rice once and was really unimpressed (flavor wise).  It's not bad, just dull.

What a bummer  :'( Though, this fruit ain't play'n around with beta-carotene...super fruit 8)

Quote
The fruit contains by far the highest content of beta-carotene (vitamin A) of any known fruit or vegetable.[citation needed] Research has confirmed that the beta-carotene in the fruit is highly bioavailable. In a double-blind study with 185 children, some were given a dish containing 3.5 mg beta-carotene from spiny bitter gourd, while others were given an identical-looking dish containing 5 mg beta-carotene powder. After 30 days, the former group eating natural beta-carotene had significantly greater plasma (blood) levels of beta-carotene than the latter with synthetic beta-carotene.[1][dead link] This oil also included high levels of vitamin E.[2] The fatty acids in the aril[3] are important for the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including carotenoids, in a diet typically low in fat.

Due to its high content of beta-carotene and lycopene,[3] gac is often sold as a food supplement in soft capsules.
Title: Re: What Are the Most Exotic (or Weird) Looking Fruits?
Post by: ReneeFLL on October 26, 2012, 06:36:51 PM
Check these out:
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/14.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/7-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/5-1.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/1-3.jpg)

What are these?