The most unusual berries. The rarest exotic fruits. colorful cauliflower
Kiwano
This strange fruit grows in New Zealand. It tastes like kiwi, melon and cucumber at the same time.
dragon fruit (pitaya)
The homeland of this fruit, which resembles a root crop, is Mexico. This is the fruit of a cactus, it is grown all over the world and even indoors.
durian
The most controversial fruit. It exudes a disgusting smell, which is why it is forbidden to bring it into public places. But those who were able to overcome disgust and tasted it say that they ate nothing tastier.
Buddha hand
An octopus-like fruit with a lemon-like skin. Often, except for the crust, there is nothing in it. No juice, no seeds. It is mainly used as a home talisman.
passion fruit
Passion fruit is called the "passion fruit". Inside is very tasty juice, and the pulp is added to all kinds of confectionery.
pandanus
The plant is called "screw palm". The fruits can be both eaten and made into paint.
Rambutan
Under the prickly peel of this fruit, tender pulp is hidden, from which jellies and jams are made. The seeds are roasted and also eaten.
Akebia quinata
A plant called "climbing cucumber" has fruits that look more like sausages. And their taste is very similar to the taste of raspberries.
Atemoya
The pulp of this fruit resembles mango and pineapple, and the consistency is similar to sour cream - it melts in your mouth.
snake fruit
The skin of the fruit is very similar to the skin of a reptile. Inside, the fruit looks like an onion or a clove of garlic, while having a sweet, fragrant pulp. But getting to it is not so easy, because the peel is very prickly.
Pitanga
Although this berry is wild, it is already cultivated in many countries. Outwardly, it looks like a cherry, but ribbed. The fruit ripens very quickly - three weeks after flowering.
Chinese strawberry
These berries are not at all like strawberries. More like candied round sweets. They have a specific taste, so trees often serve as decorations for parks.
star fruit (carambola)
Where did this name come from - there are no questions, because in the context the fruit looks like a regular five-pointed star. It is both sweet and sour. Sour fruits are added to salads, and sweet ones are eaten just like that - they taste like lemon, mango and grapes at the same time.
forbidden rice
This rice got its name because only members of the imperial family had the right to eat it. It is a type of black rice that turns dark purple when cooked. It is very useful because it contains a large number of trace elements.
Blue corn (hopi)
The name Hopi comes from the people who grew this unusual corn. For some reason, this variety is not very popular, although it has a thousand-year history and is sweeter than ordinary corn.
Romanescu (coral cabbage)
Not cabbage, but a work of art! Similar to cauliflower in family ties, but much more tender and tasty. This vegetable will be appreciated even by those who do not like cabbage.
Kanistel (egg fruit)
Fruits can be either round, oval, or heart-shaped. The color also varies from yellow to pale orange. It tastes like sweet potatoes and is added to salads and soups. They are also consumed fresh, with fruit desserts and ice cream. So decide for yourself whether it is a fruit or a vegetable.
It would seem that we all know the standard set of vegetables: cucumber, tomato, potato, carrot and more. But, for sure, none of you suspected that almost every vegetable that we eat every day has its own exotic brother. I want to introduce you to the 13 most, in my opinion, exotic vegetables in the world.
1. Purple carrot
More than one generation of people is convinced that carrots are only orange, but purple is the original, primordial color of this vegetable.
The Times reports that the color of carrots is due to beta-carotene with some addition of alpha-carotene pigment. They contain the purple pigment anthocyanin, which acts as an antioxidant.
Purple carrots are depicted in drawings made in an Egyptian temple as early as 2000 BC. In the tenth century, purple carrots were grown in Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern. In the fourteenth century, crimson, white, and yellow varieties were imported into the south. Black, red, and green carrots were also grown.
Recently, Dutch growers have studied the beneficial properties of purple carrots. They believe that the purple-colored vegetable provides the body with additional protection against cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Black tomatoes
A unique variety of tomatoes appeared on sale in the market. According to some experts, the vegetable contains a certain substance that greatly enhances sexual desire.
The new variety of black tomatoes was named "Kumato". It is a relative of the wild plant Lycopersicon cheesmanii. It is the same size as regular tomatoes, but sweeter and has a brownish-black skin. It took six years of scientific research to improve this vegetable and start selling it in Europe. When tomatoes were first grown by the Aztecs and Incas in the 8th century, they were not only red, but also yellow, green, red, white, and black. They were grown in what is now Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Mexico.
This mixture of tomato and blackberry can prolong the life of mice prone to colon cancer by 30%. In addition to the benefits that ordinary tomatoes have, high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants.
3. Rainbow cabbage
"Rainbow" cauliflower appeared in. The British company Syngeta has launched a new variety of cauliflower, Rainbow Cauliflowers, on the market, the inflorescences of which are painted in bright orange, green and purple. To taste, this is exactly the same cabbage, but it adds color to cooked dishes - the new variety does not lose its rich color even after cooking.
Another advantage of the most cauliflower in the world is that the orange variety contains 25 times more beta-carotene than ordinary cauliflowers, and purple is loaded with anthocyanin, which is good for the prevention of heart disease, as it slows blood clotting.
The representative of the company, Andrew Cocker, emphasized that the unusual colors of cabbage are not at all a product of genetic engineering, but the result of traditional selection, which took more than a dozen years.
4. Strawberry Pineberry
The berry, whose name comes from pineapple (pineapple) + berry (berry), will go on sale in Waitrose UK stores today. Gourmets will have to hurry: Pineberry will only be on the shelves for the next five weeks.
The fruit, which has the same genetic structure as the common strawberry but tastes and smells like a pineapple, originated in South America. There it was discovered by Dutch farmers and has been successfully grown in greenhouses for seven years. The unique species was on the verge of extinction when Dutch farmers revived it in greenhouses. When unripe, the berries are green, and their ripeness is indicated by a white skin and red seeds.
5. Purple potatoes
In the UK, a new variety of potatoes with a rich purple color has gone on sale. All derivatives from this vegetable also remain purple - chips, mashed potatoes, etc. Called Purple Majesty, the potato tastes just like its more familiar counterparts, but is loaded with anthocyanins, which give blueberries, blackberries and eggplants their distinctive flavors.
A new variety is grown in Scotland. This year, about 400 tons of crops were harvested, which is not very much, but next year the producers plan to increase the figure.
Blue potatoes are divided into several types. So, for example, the Franzosische Truffel-kartoffel and Linzer Blaue varieties do not lose their color during cooking, remain dark blue and boil very softly. Whereas the other two Linzer Roze and Kipfler cook for a long time and do not boil soft, but, during the cooking process, they lose their unusual color. They are usually used raw with Jerusalem artichoke in the preparation of salads.
6. Red cucumbers
These vegetables are only conditionally called "red cucumbers". In fact, they have nothing to do with classic cucumbers. They do not have their own taste and are used more for decorative purposes.
This vegetable is very similar in appearance to a cucumber, although it has a bright red color. But it just tastes "none". In fact, this fruit belongs to the family of gourd plants and is called "red cucumber" or "doubtful tladianta". This miracle was brought to Europe from Southeast Asia, and is considered more of an ornamental plant than an edible one. However, if you plant this beauty in your dacha, then in a couple of years your entire garden will be solid thickets of red cucumber.
7. Romanescu
It is a close relative of broccoli and cauliflower. If you love cabbage, then you will surely enjoy this fantastic vegetable. In addition, this amazing vegetable is literally crammed with antioxidants.
Romanescu, or Romanesque broccoli, cauliflower. Designers and 3D artists are raving about its exotic fractal-like shapes. Cabbage buds grow in a logarithmic spiral. The first mention of Romanescu cabbage comes from the 16th century.
Romanesque broccoli has the most subtle taste that cabbage can have. Romanescu is not crumbly, tastier than broccoli, sweetish with a nutty rather than sulphurous flavor. A fresh head of Romanescu cabbage should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 4 days. Since the cabbage is hard, the head is cut into pieces with a serrated knife.
A casserole is prepared with pieces of Romanescu cabbage, served with bechamel sauce and Roquefort cheese. Romanescu cabbage is rich in antioxidant carotenoids, vitamin C.
This exotic vegetable is easy to grow for those who have experience in growing broccoli, as the farming techniques are identical.
8. Kiwano melon (Cucumis metuliferus)
Kiwano melon (Antillan cucumber, horned melon, anguria). Kiwano, a kiwi countryman, comes from. Outwardly, the fruit resembles a yellow-orange cucumber with numerous horns. In fact, the nod is not as formidable as it seems: the spines are soft, the crust is loose. The best way to eat a fruit is to cut it in half and sip on the green flesh. Kiwano is like a cucumber and a lemon at the same time - refreshing. It contains vitamins of the PP group, and there is more than enough vitamin C in it.
The average fruit weight is 300 g, the average length is 12 cm. The fruits are extremely decorative and can be used to create original compositions and even as Christmas tree decorations.
9. Hand of the Buddha
These are the fruits of one of the representatives of the citrus subfamily (the Rut family), popular in Asia. The contents of this fruit under the thick skin are very reminiscent of. It has the largest of all citrus fruits. Their length is 20-40 cm. Diameter - 14-28 cm. We have already considered it in more detail in the topic
10. Durio
The durio fruit resembles some kind of "alien" fruit the size of a soccer ball, covered with a hard prickly skin. The flesh inside the fruit is pale yellow. The smell is like dirty, worn socks, rotting meat, or sewage (take your pick). However, this fruit tastes amazing and elegant. The first European explorer who tasted this fruit for the first time in the 1700s called it the "king of fruits". โIt was worth going on a dangerous journey just to taste this fruit,โ added the brave traveler.
11. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Monstera grows in many homes. In nature, this plant produces delicious fruits. The ripe core of the monstera fruit, despite the unpleasant pungent smell, is tasty and tastes like pineapple.
12. Star fruit
The cross section of this fruit forms an almost regular star. This fruit is juicy, sweet with a sour tinge. It tastes like grapes, mango, lemon - all in one. It contains a lot of oxalic acid in its composition, so it is not recommended to abuse this fruit for people with kidney failure. The homeland of the fruit is Sri Lanka
13. Goat beard
Goat beard root. It tastes like oysters.
On the shelves of our stores, along with apples, pears, plums, apricots and other traditional fruits, their exotic counterparts have recently appeared - avocados, kiwi, mangoes and other outlandish specimens. In addition, there are fruits that are not exported from the places of growth and sometimes have a strange and unusual appearance, as well as taste and smell. What unusual fruits of the world can surprise the average consumer?
Curiosities of nature
Unusual fruits are something that is not very familiar to our eyes and taste preferences. In these exotic things, we can see something similar to our fruits and vegetables. Sometimes they are associated with completely inedible things, and sometimes cause outright disgust.
Nevertheless, nature is rich in miracles. And even if these curiosities are sold in stores, not every buyer will dare to take an unfamiliar overseas fruit.
Top 10 weirdest fruits
Our planet is rich in a variety of fruits, unusual, outlandish, the existence of which many do not even know.
Of the great variety of overseas exotics, let's conditionally try to name the most unusual fruits:
- Kiwano. African horned melon with a gelatinous content similar to sweet cucumber.
- Romanescu. A cross between cauliflower and broccoli, high in antioxidants.
- Buddha hand. Like a lemon under a very thick skin.
- Durian (or durio). The king of fruits, hiding amazingly delicious contents under incredibly smelly skin.
- Monstera. The fruits have a pineapple flavor.
- paw paw. Banana of the North American prairie. It differs from the usual short form and strong aroma.
- Pitaya (or dragon fruit). Sweet white balls with small edible seeds.
- Jabotacaba. It grows directly on the trunk of a tree, similar in taste to a plum.
- star fruit. Taste hybrid of mango, grapes and lemon is yellow, looks like a star in a section.
- goat beard. Brown root with a pronounced oyster flavor.
This is only a small part of the plants that are distributed throughout the globe.
Incredible combination
Unusual vegetables and fruits sometimes combine the incompatible. This can be said about such an exotic fruit as durian.
Passion fruit syrup can be used in baking confectionery and mixing cocktails. To prepare it, you will need water and sugar (1 cup each) and passion fruit pulp (half a cup). All ingredients must be mixed in a small container, brought to a boil, stirring, boiled for 15 minutes and cooled.
Salad with rambutan will be a real decoration of the festive table. For its preparation, the following ingredients are needed: canned rambutan (1 can), crab sticks (20 grams), boiled rice (80 grams), yogurt for dressing, salt, pepper, herbs. Grind and mix everything, season with yogurt. Rambutan syrup will be used to make sweet drinks.
Mango sherbet will pleasantly surprise any gourmet. The following products will be used for its preparation: 2 mangoes, half a glass of water and sugar, 1 tbsp. l. lime juice. At the first stage, sugar and water mixed in a small container are boiled for 5 minutes. Then this syrup must be cooled. Next, peel the mangoes, remove the stone, grind the pulp in a blender until smooth. Then carefully combine the syrup, puree and lime juice. Pour the resulting mixture into a mold and send it to the refrigerator for three hours. Every half an hour, sherbet must be whipped with a whisk. The prepared delicacy has a delicate structure, pleasant taste and aroma.
Recipes with exotic unusual fruits and vegetables can diversify our diet.
Ten of the strangest fruits on the planet.
Kiwano- something strange, resembling a mixture of cucumber and melon. The fruit itself is from New Zealand. The insides of this fruit are no less strange and resemble the green liquid that usually flows from dead aliens in films.
dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, does have something in common with dragons. From the outside, it looks like a work of modern art. This fruit comes from Mexico, but today it has become quite popular all over the world and grows in Indonesia, Australia and even Israel.
durian. Of all the known fruits, it is durian that deserves the most polar characteristics. The smell of durian is so disgusting that it is not allowed in most public places. But if, holding your nose and overcoming disgust, you still try its pulp, you will understand why this fruit is called the โkingโ. Durian is native to Southeast Asia.
Buddha hand- an unusual fruit, similar to a strange lemon with a very thick peel and sometimes nothing at all except the peel. It cannot be squeezed out of juice and often there are no seeds in it. In China, it is often kept in the home as a talisman. This fruit is also often used in the manufacture of perfumes.
passion fruit known in many countries as " passion fruit"It comes from South America and has an unusually tasty juice. Its pulp is no less tasty and often serves as an additive to various confectionery products.
pandanus also known as screw palm. Pandanus is native to the Malaysian archipelago. Its fruits have found application in almost all areas of life - from making paint to eating.
Rambutan- a mysterious fruit from Southeast Asia. It is mainly used in the manufacture of jams and jellies, and the seeds are roasted and eaten.
Akebia quinata, also known as " climbing cucumber"came to us from Central China. Its fruits are very interesting, reminiscent of sausages, with edible pulp in the middle, reminiscent of raspberries in taste.
Atemoya- a hybrid of cherimoya and sugar apple. This fruit is considered one of the best fruits in the whole world. It is called the "queen of subtropical fruits." Anona pulp, which tastes like mango and pineapple, just melts in your mouth, like cream or sour cream.
snake fruit, also known as herring produces fruits covered with a peel, surprisingly resembling a snake skin, similar to bulbs. The pulp is beige-yellow in color, sweet, aromatic and has a specific taste. To clean it, you need to get used to it properly or you can easily chop off all your hands.
Although fruits such as bananas, kiwis or pineapples do not grow in temperate climates, they are still known to everyone and are not considered particularly exotic. However, there are many other amazing and probably unfamiliar fruits that are grown on Earth.
20. Sugar apple (Annona scaly)
This fruit is native to tropical America but is also grown in Pakistan, India and the Philippines. Fruits are somewhat similar to a pine cone, their diameter is about 10 centimeters.
The fruit, which has a slight custard taste, has white flesh inside and a small amount of seeds.
19. Mammea americana (American apricot)
Mammaya americana is an evergreen tree native to South America, artificially planted in other regions of the world, including West Africa and Southeast Asia. American apricots are actually berries that are about 20 centimeters in diameter.
The berry has a thick outer skin and soft orange flesh inside. As a rule, there is one large seed in the center, but large berries have about 4 of them. The pulp is sweet and fragrant.
18. Cherimoya
Cherimoya, or cream apple, is a deciduous plant native to the high mountain regions of South America. The fruit of the tree has a rounded shape with 3 types of surface (lumpy, smooth or mixed). The pulp of the fruit is creamy, very fragrant, white and juicy.
The taste of the fruit is said to be similar to a combination of banana, passion fruit, papaya and pineapple. Mark Twain said in 1866, "Cherimoya is the most delicious fruit known."
17. Platonia is wonderful
Platonia is a large tree (reaches a height of up to 40 meters) that grows in the rainforests of Brazil and Paraguay. The fruit grows to the size of an orange, and when pressed, a yellow liquid oozes out.
Inside the fruit there is a white pulp, enveloping several black seeds, which has a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
16.cocoon
The cocoon is another tropical fruit that can be found in the highlands of South America. It grows on small shrubs, and it grows very quickly: in 9 months, fruits can be obtained from seeds, and after another 2 months they will finally ripen.
The fruits are very similar to berries, and come in red, orange and yellow colors. Outwardly, they are very similar to tomatoes, but the taste is a cross between a tomato and a lemon.
15. Breadfruit
Breadfruit belongs to the mulberry family and is native to the Philippines and the islands of Southeast Asia. The fruit tastes like a banana. They can be eaten raw when they are fully ripe, and when unripe, they can only be eaten cooked.
The ripe fruit is soft and sweet, the unripe fruit is dense and starchy, but it got its name from the fact that, when cooked unripe, it tastes very much like freshly baked bread.
14. Langsat
Langsat or duku are two very similar fruits found throughout Asia. They come from the same family, almost the same in appearance and taste, with only one difference. The peel of langsat contains a latex substance, which is not poisonous, but because of it it is difficult to remove it, and duku peel is easily separated.
There are 5 segments inside the fruit, some of which contain several bitter seeds. It is a very sweet fruit that can be prepared in a variety of ways.
13. Dacryodes edible
Dacryodes is an evergreen tree native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, northern Nigeria and southern Angola. The fruits, which range in color from dark blue to purple, are also known as African pears and are oblong in shape with pale green flesh inside.
These fatty fruits have been claimed to end hunger in Africa as 48% of the fruit is made up of essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and triglycerides. It was calculated that from one hectare planted with these trees, 7-8 tons of oil can be obtained, while all parts of the plant can be used.
12. Jaboticaba
The Brazilian grape tree, or jaboticaba, is a very strange plant native to the southeastern part of Brazil. The strangeness of this tree lies in the way fruits grow on it. Initially, yellowish-white flowers appear on the entire trunk and large branches, then the flowers turn into fruits, 3-4 centimeters in diameter.
Inside the round purple fruit is a soft gelatinous flesh with 1-4 black seeds. The fruit is very sweet, it can be eaten just like that, but most often it is used to make wine or liquor.
11.Rambutan
Rambutan is a strange-looking fruit that looks like a fluffy strawberry. Its homeland is Southeast Asia, but it is also widely distributed in other regions, especially in Costa Rica, where it is called the "Chinese sucker".
Fruits with a diameter of 3-6 centimeters have an oval shape. The flesh is a bit tough but easily peels off the skin, and rambutan tastes sweet and sour.
10. Noni
This fruit is known by many names, including large morinda, Indian mulberry, etc., its homeland is all over Southeast Asia and Australia, it is also widely cultivated in the tropics.
The tree bears fruit all year round, but as a rule, when the fruits ripen, the fruits have a very pungent odor. However, despite the smell, the fruit is high in fiber, vitamins, protein, iron, and calcium, and is a staple food in many Pacific countries. It can be eaten cooked or raw with salt.
9. Marula
Marula is a deciduous tree native to South and East Africa. It now grows throughout Africa, as its fruits are an important food source for the Bantu peoples, and the trees appeared throughout their migration route. The green fruit ripens and turns yellow, and the white flesh inside is very juicy and has a pleasant aroma.
After falling from the tree, the fruits begin to ferment almost immediately, so elephants and baboons in these regions are often slightly intoxicated. The fruit is also used to make the popular Amarula liqueur, which can be found in any duty-free store.
8.Cloudberry
Cloudberry is a berry of Western Siberia. It is found in forests and grows in dense thickets. The fruit is similar to a raspberry, but its color is more orange.
They are very sweet, they are eaten both raw and processed into juice, wine and jam.
7. Salak (Snake fruit)
The snake fruit comes from Indonesia. They grow in clusters, and get their nickname because of the red-brown scaly peel, which is easily removed.
Inside are 3 white sweet "segments", each containing small black inedible seeds. Fruits have a sweet and sour taste, similar in texture to apples. .
8.bail
The bail, or stone apple, is native to India, but can be found throughout Southeast Asia. Bail is a smooth fruit with a woody rind that can be dyed yellow, green, or grey. The tough outer skin is so hard that the fruit can only be reached with a hammer.
Inside is a yellow pulp with a few hairy seeds that can be eaten fresh or dried. Ripe fruits are often used to make a drink called sharbat, which also includes water, sugar and lime juice with pulp. Only one large piece of fruit is needed to make 6 liters of sharbat.
7. dangsat
Langsat or duku are two very similar fruits found throughout Asia. They come from the same family, almost the same in appearance and taste, with only one difference.
The peel of langsat contains a latex substance, which is not poisonous, but because of it it is difficult to remove it, while the peel of dooku is easily separated. There are 5 segments inside the fruit, some of which contain several bitter seeds. It is a very sweet fruit that can be prepared in a variety of ways.
6.Chrysophyllum (Star apple)
This fruit is native to the lowlands of Central America and the West Indies. The underside of the leaves of this evergreen tree shines with a golden color that is noticeable even from a distance, and the white or lilac flowers that grow on the tree have a sweet aroma.
The fruits are round in shape and purple in color, their skin is dense. If the fruit is cut horizontally, then the shape of a star in the pulp is clearly visible. Fresh fruits have a very sweet and pleasant taste.
5.Carambola (star fruit)
Carambola is a fruit tree native to the Philippines, but growing throughout Southeast Asia, East Asia, South America. The shell of the fruit contains five "ridges", because of this, the fruit, when cut longitudinally, becomes like a star.
Therefore, in fact, the fruit got its name. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. When ripe, the fruit becomes bright yellow, and it tastes very juicy and crispy.
4. Kiwano (horned melon)
The horned melon, also known as the African cucumber, is native to Africa but is now also grown in Australia, New Zealand and Chile.
When ripe, the melon shell is covered with dense, pointed yellow spikes, and the jelly-like flesh becomes a bright green color. The taste of the fruit is often compared to that of a banana. The fruit is a good source of vitamin C and fiber.
2. Pitaya (genus Hylocereus)
Pitaya (pitahaya), or cactus fruit, found throughout Asia, Australia, North and South America, was originally thought to be native to Mexico.
There are two types of pitahaya: sour, commonly eaten in the Americas, and sweet, found throughout Asia. The fruits are red, yellow and purple, they have a very pleasant aroma, and the sweet appearance is very similar to kiwi in taste.
1. magic fruit
Miracle fruit, or sweet berries, are very strange berries native to West Africa. The fruits contain large quantities of the sugar substitute miraculin in combination with a glycoprotein.
The fruit itself does not have a very sweet taste, but after a person eats it, the glycoprotein binds the taste buds located on the human tongue and turns the taste of any product into a sweet one in about an hour. So you can eat a whole lemon and it tastes like sweet syrup.
In the 70s, attempts were made to mass-market the fruit as a dietary product, since it can turn any food into sweetness, while not affecting the number of calories consumed. However, it was not possible to achieve success in this field.