You May Not Have Heard of These: Unusual Fruits from Around the World

There are many exotic fruits around the world that can surprise people not only with their appearance, but also with their distinctive taste and nutritional qualities. Let’s take a look at a few that may seem unusual to many of us.

Carambola (Star Fruit) — this fruit belongs to the Oxalidaceae family and has a flavor that can resemble a mix of pineapple and citrus. It is widely grown in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. It gets its name from the star-like shape revealed when it is cut crosswise. The fruit also holds a special place in some Asian cultures.

Longan (“Dragon’s Eye”) — once the peel is removed, its translucent flesh and black seed resemble an eye, which is why it is also known in some places as “cat’s eye.” Native to Southeast Asia, longan is known for its delicate sweet flavor.

Cupuaçu — a valuable fruit from the Amazon rainforest and a relative of cacao. Because of its sweet taste and pleasant aroma, it is widely used in chocolate, ice cream, and various desserts. It also contains different fats and other nutrients.

Yangmei (Myrica rubra) — an ancient fruit cultivated in China for centuries. It contains vitamin C. The tree is evergreen, while the fruit itself is juicy and has a sweet-and-sour taste.

Ackee — known as the national fruit of Jamaica, ackee has a very distinctive appearance. When the fruit is fully ripe and opens naturally, its yellow flesh and black seeds become visible. Care is needed when eating ackee: only the edible portion of a fully ripe fruit should be consumed, because unripe fruit and some other parts can be toxic.