Author Topic: Some African fruits...  (Read 5399 times)

Soren

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Some African fruits...
« on: July 26, 2012, 02:30:42 AM »
Just returning from my vacation in Denmark, I was surprised by one of my fruit sourcing contacts who showed up with a few fruit. From top left Monodora myristica (Calabash nutmeg), large Chrysophyllum albidum (White Star Apple) with a seed and finally seeds of Annona senegalensis (Wild custard apple). Enjoy - these are not easy to come by.
Sorry the photo is not in focus - I used my smartphone.

Søren
Kampala, Uganda

Jackfruitwhisperer69

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2012, 04:58:58 AM »
Hej Soren,

The fruits look great 8) So, how did they taste like and What's you favorite from the three?

Thanks for sharing :)
Time is like a river.
You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.
Enjoy every moment of your life!

Mike T

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2012, 07:09:48 AM »
Yes Soren, I too am waiting for an in depth appraisal of the fruit quality and charateristics.

Soren

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2012, 07:43:53 AM »
Well - one of the White Star Apples were overripe, the others not yet so I have not tasted it - and my contact couldn't wait to share the Annona with me, so I only got the seeds but according to him the fruits were outstanding. And finally - I have no clue how to eat the Calabash nutmeg - it should only be the seeds, but it does have an aromatic pulp never the less.


...and sorry to the photo quality (Mike - I know you appreciate anyway) - I will try and get some better ones when I open more.!
Søren
Kampala, Uganda

Mike T

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2012, 08:10:16 AM »
Thanks for the descriptions Soren.It sounds like the Annona is the pick of that lot and is in the same league as the latin american ones.

Soren

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2012, 08:57:53 AM »
I know our Har puts A. senegalensis in high esteem, so it should be. But even the White Star Apple is a commercial crop in West Africa and could therefore be comparable with the Central American C. cainito.!
« Last Edit: July 26, 2012, 09:00:53 AM by Soren »
Søren
Kampala, Uganda

BMc

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2012, 06:48:26 PM »
Dont let Oscar catch you calling it a star apple!  ;D
Is there any special reason its called a 'White Star Apple'? All parts look darker than the regular ones.
Good luck with the seeds!

Mike T

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2012, 06:50:44 PM »
BMc now that is funny and I thought the use of the word starapple would have flushed Oscar out before now.

Future

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2012, 09:05:10 PM »
Good to hear my friend!

Guanabanus

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2012, 10:51:28 PM »
I wouldn't say Annona senegalensis is in the same league as the juicy sweet-tart refreshing Central and South American Annonas.  The Muvulu is an oily sweet fruit, like a fried cake or like some palm fruits, such as Tucuma or Queen Palm fruits.  Muvulu fruits are very small and extremely seedy, and the pulp adheres to the seeds.  They are best appreciated when one has time to patiently gnaw, such as while watching a movie.
Har

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2012, 10:54:59 PM »
That sure is a large shiny Monodora myristica fruit!

Like you, I have not tasted the pulp.  My tree did fruit once, but I didn't notice until the fruit fell, already very dry.  I did make spice by pounding up some of the seeds,  It was good.
Har

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2012, 04:13:28 AM »
Dont let Oscar catch you calling it a star apple!  ;D
Is there any special reason its called a 'White Star Apple'? All parts look darker than the regular ones.
Good luck with the seeds!

All is forgiven because i know Soren will send me some seeds.  ;D
Oscar

Soren

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2012, 04:52:09 AM »
Har - I actually consider the two lesser South American Annona species I have tasted much better than the bigger cultivated ones (have not tried Annona diversifolia though) - but they do have a poor pulp to seed ratio, and as described by you - small seeds which stick to the pulp. From studies I have seen A. senegalensis as one of the top preferred native species for both Uganda and Tanzania. And yes the Monodora is around the max size for this species according to my literature.

Here is another photo - I still have not opened the Monodora as it appears unripe;



Regarding the star apple - I received the fruits as C. gorongosanum but its fruits never gets to this size and is hairy too and brown not green/yellow in color. In addition; the color of the flesh resembles C. albidum. However I have done some background checking and the African Star Apple is also present in Uganda; C. africanum - so that I can rule out completely as I don't have the key for this species (only the two first). My source claims the leaves were purple - which is not consistent with C. albidum - but he was not collecting them himself and there could be some misunderstanding taken place (which is why they were labeled C. gorongosanum). The pulp is very aromatic with a sweet fruity scent.
He claims what C. albidum is not yet ripe and will get them for me later, so I look forward to see what he then will bring.


Both Monodora and the star apple were collected in Budongo forest, while A. senegalensis were from Lira district.

Søren
Kampala, Uganda

Soren

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2012, 04:54:50 AM »
Dont let Oscar catch you calling it a star apple!  ;D
Is there any special reason its called a 'White Star Apple'? All parts look darker than the regular ones.
Good luck with the seeds!

All is forgiven because i know Soren will send me some seeds.  ;D

 8)
Søren
Kampala, Uganda

Soren

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2012, 01:09:42 PM »
My friend Katumba is bringing some white star apples next week. I should therefore be able to determine if this is C. africanum or not... Excited.
Søren
Kampala, Uganda

Felipe

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2012, 03:01:43 PM »
Please, don't forget to make some pictures  ::)

Soren

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Re: Some African fruits...
« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2012, 03:29:22 PM »
Please, don't forget to make some pictures  ::)

You and Oscar Are on the list of seeds... This is not the mango news...
Søren
Kampala, Uganda