25 tropical fruits that you need to try in Asia

Countries in Southeast Asia - it is a paradise for lovers of tropical fruit. Dragon fruit, mangosteen, tomarillo, durian, snake fruit, and many other exotic names here cease to surprise and become the norm.

I'm sure, and in Russia, in large supermarkets, there are many of these fruits, but, firstly, prices can differ by an order, and secondly, in order that they appear on the shelves in priglyadnom as their pretty stuffed with chemicals or send immature, that can not affect the taste and useful qualities.

But in Southeast Asia, at home, many of these fruits cost a penny - for example, a ripe and juicy mango season can be bought for 5 rubles, and most (3 kg), a sweet papaya for 30 rubles. As for the usual apples and pears, here they are, on the contrary, are among the most expensive fruit. In addition, there is almost no berries, except strawberries is that we are sometimes happy.

For the sixth month we live in Bali and every day to enjoy a variety of fruit flavors. Tropical fruits are a few dozen, but when you consider that each of them, as a rule, several varieties and taste of each class is unique and unique, it becomes clear just how good life is here lovers of fruits.

The same fruit, taste us in Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia often differ not only flavors, but also the name and form. Eyes on the market or in the shop and run away, it is difficult to stop the choice on a particular fruit, so buying massive boxes, barely fit on the bike.

About the prices do not consciously write, because everywhere they are different, depending on the country, seasonality, quality and the ability to bargain. Thus, we begin with the introduction of tropical exoticism.

Snake fruit (snake fruit), Balinese call it calakom

The fruits are round or pear-shaped wedge tapering towards the top, covered with scaly brown skin, snakeskin-like, from what happened and the name of the fruit. The rind is thin and can be easily removed, it is sufficient to make an incision or overstrained at the edge, and then remove as shells from eggs. Pulp is white or beige color consists essentially of three segments. If the fetus is immature, then due to the high content of tannin binds the mouth, it is so we tried it for the first time in Malaysia in the spring - we did not like it, and we happily forgotten about him.

Here in Bali, Salak is one of the most common fruits quickly become familiar, we tried it again, and we can say, in love.

Bali 2 varieties are common. One more elongated, consists of 3 identical segments, has a pleasant refreshing sweet flavor, pineapple and banana-like with a light nutty flavor. The second, more rounded, with two large segments and the third little pitted, the taste is similar to the gooseberry and pineapple. Both varieties are quite interesting, we buy different with the same success.

Salak contains tannin, which displays the body of harmful substances, astringent, hemostatic and antidiarrheal properties.

In the north of Bali, in the woods, we somehow found a wild Salak. In contrast to the garden, paring his small barbed needles, no longer than 1 mm, and the fruits smaller size. They taste sweet, but clean due to the rough is not very nice, so we fed them to the monkeys, which spikes were not interfere with cleaning they coped well quickly, as do bananas.

Tamarillo (tamarillo)

The fruit tamarillo egg-shaped, about 5 cm long. A brilliant rind is hard and bitter, inedible, and the flesh is sweet and sour, tomato-currant flavor with almost no flavor. Skin color may be orange-red, yellow, or purple-red.

Flesh color is usually golden-pink, seeds, thin and round, black, edible. The fruits resemble dlinnoplodnye tomatoes, so christened his tomato tree. Tomarillo can be cut into two halves and just squeeze the flesh in his mouth, or clean the knife, holding the tail - you will get here is a flower

Tamarillo contains a large amount of vitamins A, B6, C and E and trace elements - iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. Fruit will be useful for those who suffer from migraines.

We loved this fruit because of the berry-currant flavor - Bali berries are very small, mostly all imported (except strawberries).

Of tamarillo gets a great sauce, adding to it lemon juice, ginger and honey. The sauce is suitable for spicy dishes and desserts.

Mango (mango)

Of the many tropical fruits, mangoes, still remains one of our favorite - it seems you can eat as much as you want and never get bored. In Russia, we sometimes bought them in the store and the concept of different varieties did not exist for us - there are just mangoes and all, what was our surprise, that is, of which there are several dozen species.

India collects about 13, 5 million tons of mangoes per year (just think about the figure!) And is thus a major producer (best known variety - mangifera indica 'Alphonso'), the second highest performance China (slightly more than 4 million tons) - the third Thailand (2, 5 million tons), Indonesia 2, 1 million tons.

Mature fruits of different varieties to taste very different, usually they are sweet and has a pleasant aroma of various shades of honey, even to ginger

Arriving in India in early November, we were surprised not to find in the sale of mangoes - it turned out that the season starts in April. Flew in late March, and literally in the last week on sale there was the first harvest - it was a small red mango is very fragrant and sweet, a few days we could not break away from them.

Very we enjoyed a variety of varieties of mango in Malaysia - Thai from light yellow, beige with flesh inside to green thick-skinned, immature in appearance, but with a bright orange, sweet flesh.

But really, we overeat mango in Bali. In May and June, the choice was not very big, but in August, September and especially in October diversity of varieties and prices do not cease to please us. Our favorite brand Harumanis (Harumanis) - green mango with orange, sweet, honeyed flesh. The mango many vitamins and fructose, and a little acid. Vitamin A is beneficial to the eyes, it helps in "night blindness" and other eye diseases. Regular consumption of mango helps to improve the immune system and protects against infections catarrhal nature. Green mango is rich in vitamin C and more

Mangoes are often used in home medicine, for example, in India, mango is used to stop bleeding, to strengthen the heart muscle, as well as to improve the functioning of the brain.

Jackfruit (jackfruit)

Anyone who first sees jackfruit greatly surprised, and there is something - this is the world's largest fruit that grows on a tree. fetal length of 20-90 cm, diameter of 20 cm and weigh up to 35 kg of fruit (mandarin pictured close for comparison). Thick skins covered by numerous cone-shaped projections, spikes. Young fruits are green when ripe become greenish-yellow or brown-yellow.

If the fruit is fallen, and is not ripened, it is eaten as a vegetable in India, we have repeatedly tried to curry of jackfruit. But fresh first tried in Sri Lanka at the end of April, there is just the season began.

Find mature fruit can be from May to September, when tapped, he makes a hollow sound (immature plod- deaf). Inside the fruit is divided into a large proportion of which contain sweet yellow pulp, consisting of juicy slippery fibers. In each lobe located on the elongated seed length 2-4 cm, in one fruit can be up to 500 seeds

The peel and the seeds mature fruit has a foul putrid odor, while the flesh smells nice, have something in common with banana and pineapple, but the taste is still peculiar, for an amateur, we liked very much.

All parts of the plant, including the rind, contain latex adhesive, so it is recommended to carve fruit, brushing hands with sunflower oil or wearing rubber gloves :) The fridge fruit can be stored for 1-2 months. In supermarkets and jackfruit markets sell mainly been in the form of the split, as pillared fruit first, scare their spines, and secondly, not everyone is ready to overpower such a giant. Because of its severity, jackfruit often falls from the tree and breaks. Because of the strong smell, it can easily seek out the animals, which spread the seeds around the forest, which contributes to its active dissemination.

jackfruit fruits are very nutritious, they contain about 40% carbohydrates. Particularly so, as well as because of its cheapness and universal accessibility, jackfruit in India is called the "bread of the poor", or bread tree. The seeds are also nutritious - they contain 38% carbohydrates, and eat their roasted chestnuts. The taste is rather dry, but with salads go well.

Dragons Dragon Fruit or fruit (dragon fruit), also known as pitahaya Pitahaya or

It belongs to the family of "cactus". Because of its interesting and unusual form as well as the bright pink flowers, fruit can not go unnoticed. The fruit has a white or red (depending on variety), creamy flesh and a delicate, slightly perceptible aroma. The pulp is eaten raw, the taste is sweet. It is convenient to have, cut into 2 halves, scooping the flesh with a spoon. Someone Dragon Fruit may seem bland and not very tasty, but if it follows its rasprobovat, the fruit is certainly pleasant (such as mozzarella cheese, which also is not very pronounced taste).

The fruit grows on a cactus blooms only at night. The flowers are also edible, yet they can be brewed into a tea. Nizkokaloriyen fruit, helps with pain in the stomach and a beneficial effect on the quality of vision.

Rambutan (rambutan)

The fruits are round or oval, 3-6 cm in size, grow in clusters of up to 30 pieces, sometimes directly on the branch and sell. As ripening fruits change color from green to yellow-orange and then to red. If you want to get the most enjoyment, pick the fruit a bright red color. Juicy fruit are covered with a dense white skinned strewn curved, rigid hairs yellow-brown color and a length of 1-2 cm. Flesh gelatinous, white, very flavorful and pleasant sweet-sour taste. Inside the inedible seed oval, up to 1, 5 cm. The seeds are poisonous in its raw form, but if they fry, can be eaten. Oil from the seeds is used in the manufacture of soap and candles. Rambutans contain carbohydrates, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, niacin and vitamin C.

Fruits eat mostly fresh, sometimes canned with sugar. And in Malaysia, the canned fruits are sold on every corner, a snack, and make slacking drinks.

For the first time we met rambutanami in their homeland - in Malaysia. Malay rambutan translated as "hair-worm".

Fruit is very light in weight, so in 1 kilogram of them can contain several dozen. By the way, after bananas, which we have settled fairly in India (not only because of the taste, but also for reasons of health safety), is a fruit № 2, which can be easily and safely eat while traveling. Rambutanov bundle can be purchased on the market or on the side of the road and immediately eat, what not to do with the same papaya or mango, not to mention the fruits that are eaten with the peel.

You simply overstrained skins in the middle and remove the top half (the hairs are not spiny), and then send the flesh in his mouth and stay in the hand with the second half peel - even the hands should be washed.

In Malaysia, we were just in the season rambutanov (May) and the cost of 1 kg was the same as for 1 kg mango (about $ 1), but in Bali, they were more expensive than in 3 times, although in October has dropped to $ 1.5 .

Mangosteen (mangostin), also known as mangosteen, mangosteen, Garcinia, mangkut

The fruit round, 4-8 cm in diameter, covered with a thick (1 cm) maroon-purple inedible skin, under which is a 5-8 segments white, very juicy pulp, with large seeds within each segment. With mangosteen we met in Sri Lanka - seeing them for the first time, I thought that some kind of strange here persimmon.

We were not going to buy them, but the seller at the last moment we kept showing clever trick, opening a second this fruit. Seeing juicy pulp, we could not resist and tried it, well after course bought. The taste of the fruit is very pleasant, creamy sweet and a little tart. Mangosteen is recommended to use for the fight against obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, for colds, depression and even a huge list of different diseases.

In hot weather, this is a great fruit to quench their thirst.

Melody (melodi), also known as pepino, melon pear or sweet cucumber

The fruits of diverse differ in size, shape, color and taste. Some have exotic color - bright yellow, purple, other than resemble eggplants. The pulp of ripe fruit is light yellow or even colorless. To taste tune reminds mixture of pear and cucumber melon scent. It can be added in the sweet desserts and salads (depending on the variety). Here in Bali we love to add it to salads - fruit costs about as well as cucumbers, and the taste sweeter and more interesting.

Flavors, incidentally, is different - from sweet and sour to sweet. Melody itself is very juicy, it is 92% water, so it is perfect to quench your thirst. Sourness fetus attaches vitamin C, fruit is also rich in iron, keratin, and lots of vitamins A, B1, B2 and PP.

longan (longan) or dragon eye

The first name comes from the name of the Vietnamese province of Long An. And secondly, the structure of the fruit - if break "berry" in half, then there is a black stone, which is against the background of transparent beige pulp, longan resembles the eye grows in clusters on evergreen trees, which can reach a height of twenty meters. With each tree removed during the summer more than 200 kg of fruit.

Externally, fruits like nuts, easy to clean. Color inedible outer shell of the fruit mottled yellowish. Lognan tends to ripen after removal from the tree. Under the skin lies a transparent juicy flesh - sweet and very flavorful with a musky flavor. By pulp is one big bone.

Longan quite rich in vitamins, there are a lot of vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and micro- and macroelements, such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, zinc, manganese and, in addition, a plurality of Bioacid, Minerals for the skin. With such a wealth of fruit nizkokaloriyen. Longan can be eaten fresh, but you can as a snack with hot and spicy dishes, drink from it quenches thirst and improves appetite

For the first time we tried the fruit in Bali - once walking through the market with our Balinese friend Budi, we asked him about his favorite fruit, and he wasted no time, pointed to this rather inconspicuous fruit. Budi originally from Java, and there longan is very popular.

The first time he told us not very much, flavor was not as pronounced as expected. We decided that we just do not tasted, and a few days later bought it again - this time longan was very tasty and juicy.

Against the background of other exotic, more delicious-looking fruit, outwardly he certainly loses, but the palette contained in it useful components and refreshing taste pushed to purchase again and again.

Longan is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic for weakness, fatigue, tachycardia, dizziness, and impaired vision. Also, the fruit pulp is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, reduce body temperature in fever, sedation if causeless excitement, normalization of sleep and improve memory, concentration, attention.

Kepundung (kepundung) or Asian gooseberry

In appearance very similar to longan, but the taste is completely different. The rind is firm, but easy to clean. Fruits in white and pink, have a viscous jelly structure, have a bone that trudnootdelima from the pulp - is one of the reasons why kepundung easier to use for the preparation of syrups and sauces, and not consumed fresh. The taste of the fruit is very pleasant, sweet-sour, refreshing with a light delicate flavor. Kepundung is widely known in Asia, source of vitamin C, which makes it useful for treating diseases of the throat and respiratory tract.

The fruit is considered sacred among Indian and Tibetan healers who use dried fruit for a wide range of problems such as diarrhea, fever, liver problems and anemia. Kepundung good for prevention and treatment of stress, fever, arthritis.

tamarind (tamarind) or tamarind, he's aces, ASEM, sampalok

In general, a plant of the legume family, but sell it in the fruit department, and because of the sweet taste, many did believe his fruit. Hiding under the shell the fruit - brown bean pods, like, sorry, to "a piece of shit", consisting of a soft pulp and many seeds dense.

The flesh can be eaten fresh as fruit or sweetness to tea. Also, it is widely used as a spice in Asian and Latin American in the kitchens.

The flesh is green and sour fruit used in cooking spicy dishes, but the ripe fruit sweeter, fruity, they are used for desserts, drinks, snacks.

In Latin America, especially in Mexico, this fruit is very popular and is used in various kinds. It was in Mexico, and the first time we met with his taste - try candy "Tamarindo" - hard candy with seeds, with a distinctive aroma and taste.

Candy we did not like, but here, in Bali, we bought fresh tamarind, not even knowing about what has already tried it before - this time he came to their liking.

Due to its healing properties, pulp, leaves and bark are used in medicine. In the Philippines, the leaves are traditionally used for herbal tea, to relieve fever in malaria. And in India, Ayurveda - for the treatment of digestive tract diseases. Tamarind contains large amounts of vitamin C, vitamins A and E. Protects against colds and heart disease.

Tamarind is the official tree of Santa Clara in Cuba and is depicted on the city's coat of arms.

papaya (papaya)

Sweet juicy papaya pieces pose in the mouth. Fruit extremely nutritious, and most interestingly papaya is not bored, we are happy to eat it very often in India and Sri Lanka, and in Bali - this is our traditional dish for breakfast is the sixth month. In India and Bali papaya very sweet, especially we like the variety "California", and in Thailand, as our friends, it is more watery. In Mexico, we liked it only in combination with yogurt or honey - where it has taken more than a little immature, and even with salt and chili. Papaya - a valuable source of beta-carotene, the average value satisfies the third fetal adult daily requirement for vitamin C, and also gives the required amount of calcium and iron.

Papaya fruit not only in appearance but also in their chemical composition similar to the melon, contain glucose and fructose, organic acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals, so that papaya is sometimes called "tree melon".

They say that when baked in the fire papaya fruit smell fresh bread, which gave this plant is another interesting name - "breadfruit tree".

Green papaya has contraceptive and abortifacient properties - Asian women who wish to terminate the pregnancy, eating large quantities of immature fruit.

In tropical countries, papaya juice is used in diseases of the spine, because it contains an enzyme that regenerates the connective tissue of intervertebral discs. Perhaps this is due to the frequent use of papaya in food, Asians are less susceptible to disease musculoskeletal system, even though the tradition to carry weights on the head.

Coconut (cocos, coconut)

Although they are often referred to as "coconuts", in fact, it's not nuts, but drupes - stone fruits (peaches). Weight coconut 1, 5-2, 5 kg, the outer sheath is green, brown or yellow, depending on the variety, riddled with fibers, and the inner, solid - the same "shell", and that many are accustomed to seeing in the stores. In young liquid coconut (coconut water) - clear and tasty, it coconuts buy such as a beverage. Gradually, with the advent of the oil droplets within the allocated bark liquid turns into a milky emulsion, and then thickens and hardens to solidify on the walls of the shell.

In Mexico, we are mainly to buy already hard, sliced ​​coconuts. If you eat them together with chocolate, they are very similar to Bounty bars. But coconut water first tried in India. There, young coconuts are sold on every corner, and they are very cheap ($ 0, 3, compared to $ 1-1, 5 in Bali). Sell ​​them no-fruit trays, and often, simply carts. Sometimes, right under the tree on the ground, lies a mountain of fresh coconuts and split knuckles. Sellers deftly, 2-3 hours, cut off the top and insert a tube - ready to drink

The young coconut approximately 2 cups of "coconut milk". After the natural capacity of devastated, you can ask to split it into 2 parts and a spoon, then the seller smasterennoy one notch on the outer layer, scrape out the pulp - a translucent jelly muck.

Bali in abundance different varieties like young coconuts and solid, the latter are sold shelled, which is very convenient.

1st place in the world for the production of coconuts, which is about 20 000 thousand tons of fruit a year occupied Philippines. Indonesia and India on the 2nd and 3rd field, respectively.

Coconut strong aphrodisiac, it normalizes the reproductive system. Milk and coconut pulp well restore strength and improve eyesight.

Coconut oil is generally universal product, it is used in cooking, for medical and cosmetic purposes.

It strengthens and nourishes the hair, as well as moisturizes and softens the skin, smoothing out wrinkles; It improves the digestive system and liver; normalize thyroid function; It relaxes the muscles and helps with joint problems; increases immunity and resistance to various infections, reduces the adaptability of bacteria to antibiotics.

The pulp normalizes blood cholesterol levels; It helps with colds, diarrhea, and diseases of the gallbladder; It has antimicrobial, antiviral wound healing effect; It reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and other diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as cancer and degenerative processes. In solid coconuts contain B vitamins and vitamins C and E, as well as various mineral salts. All in all, not a fruit, but an entire natural pharmacy.

Pineapple (ananas, pineaple)

The largest pineapple plantations are concentrated in the Hawaiian Islands, which is about 30% of world production. Did you know that pineapples grow on bushes, not a tree? For the first time as they grow up, we in Sri Lanka, and were very surprised Pineapple, along with bananas, it is one of the most popular fruit in Asia, they meet us in every country - different varieties and sizes. The most delicious pineapples we ate in Sri Lanka - a bright, sweet and juicy, with a rich aroma, a heavenly delight. Our friends are pineapples from Sri Lanka, even back home in Russia was taken as a souvenir.

And in India, we liked the way the cleaning of pineapples on the beaches. In the states of Kerala and Goa, saleswomen are fruits for sale in large basins on their heads, among them there and pineapples. They turn over "tail" down, deftly clean peel with a knife, and just a minute later awarded as the ice cream cone.

Pineapple malokaloriyen and a high content of potassium salts helps to get rid of excess fluid and even a few kilos. Dessert pineapple improves the digestion of fatty foods and improves metabolism. Due to the complex of biologically active substances, pineapple stimulates digestion and decreases blood viscosity.

Pineapple contains vitamins A, B and C, as well as numerous trace minerals including bromelain, whereby improved absorption of protein substances by the body.

Passionfruit (marakujya), also known as passion fruit or passion fruit is edible, or granadilla purple

For the first time we tried the passion fruit in Bali, and I must say that he has not made us the first time a special experience, but the second time we tasted it - passion fruit is indeed very tasty and unusual. The color of the fruit, depending on the variety, varies from light yellow to dark burgundy, jelly-like pulp can be transparent, beige, greenish. Flavors are also quite different - from sweet and sour to very sweet. We do not yet addicted to a particular variety, try different. Fruit cut in half enough, then the fragrant sweet pulp can be eaten with a spoon. Passion fruit seeds are edible, too - they are used to decorate cakes and other confectionery products. Sweet and sour passion fruit juice is valued in cooking, and because it also has a good tonic properties, it is used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

The fruit is very effective in relieving headaches, muscle tension and insomnia.

Guava (guava) or guava

The fruit is usually round, oval or pear-shaped, with a pleasant musky odor. Coloring fruits very different - yellowish white, bright yellow, reddish, greenish-white or even green, the skin is always very thin. The fruits are different in size - from very small to large, depending on the variety. The flesh is white, yellow, pink or bright red, filled with hard seeds. The number of seeds varies from 112 to 535 (and some fruits contain seeds in general). Guava provides one main crop, up to 100 kg per tree - and 2-4 additional much smaller in volume. Most mature trees produce 200-250 kg. per year.

The first time we tried the guava in India, where it prefer to eat unripe, green. Her azrezayut in half and sprinkle with pepper (we abstained from this supplement). The taste is unusual, we liked, but that's stomachs immature fruits occurred not very congenial. In Bali, we tried another type of guava, and this time ate ripe fruit. These fruits are the size and color similar to the Asian lemons and pale pink sweet flesh tastes like strawberries

Guava - a storehouse of health, it is the only fruit that contains 16 vitamins, minerals, salts and trace elements. Interesting fact: guava on the content of vitamin C surpasses oranges 5-10 times.

Guava fruits are widely used not only in food (jelly, jams, sauces, jellies, juices), but also for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

Guava juice has a stimulating effect, in ancient times it was added to the beverage of warriors and hunters to give them courage and strength, and Cuban women fed these fruits their loved ones, they contain aphrodisiacs - substances that strengthen the "virility" and increases libido. Guava is also used as an air freshener - if you cut the fruit to make in the smoke-filled room, then after 10 minutes the tobacco smell will disappear.

Yellow melon (yellow watermelon)

On the surface it is a regular striped watermelon, but inside it is unusual, bright yellow. Such watermelon born by mating a wild melon (which is just the yellow) with the conventional. In addition to the unusual color of this watermelon contains very little, compared to the red stones - sometimes we come across all pitted.

The first time we tried the yellow watermelon in Malaysia and he was not very sweet, and Bali buy them often and always come across sweet. Once bought for comparison flavors and red and yellow, red and so was less sweet, even seemed watery, but if there is it apart from the yellow, it is quite fragrant and sweet

Despite the fact that it is a hybrid, yellow watermelon, also as usual, contains a lot of vitamins and perfectly helps to regulate the excretory system.

Sapodilla (sapodilla) aka Savo aka Chick aka Achra

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Brown-green egg-shaped fruit, up to 5 cm fruits are smaller like small potatoes, and those that are larger - at the kiwis. The rind is soft and can be easily cleaned with a knife. The flesh is yellow-brown, juicy, very sweet with caramel taste of date, sometimes sickly sweet, if the fruit is ripe.

It is better to choose soft fruit, even if they are a bit "skukozhennye" will definitely sweeter. For the first time we tried this fruit in India, and it immediately became our second favorite (after bananas). In India it is called "Chiku" so that we are more used to this name. Bali is known as the "Savoy", or "Bali Kiwi". Eat a piece of fruit as a raw and in cooking - in the form of jams and salads, and stewed with lime juice and ginger, put in pies and even make on its base wine. Chick rich vegetable proteins, carbohydrates, iron, potassium and calcium, and vitamins A and C. Useful properties Chick used by manufacturers of cosmetics - fruit has antiseptic and regenerating properties.

durian (durian)

In the countries of Southeast Asia, the durian is considered the king of fruits. The shape of ovoid or round it, about 15-30 cm in diameter, weighing from 1 to 8 kg. Durian covered with pyramidal rigid spines, spikes, and something like a Jack-Fruit, many tourists, inexperience, they are even confused.

The fruit is a pyatistvorchatuyu box, in each of the 5 single fetal cells contained pale yellow seed with pulp having the consistency of pudding and incomparably "delightful" flavor. The smell of ripe fruit is really peculiar, very meticulous, sweet, putrid. Raw flesh of ripe fruit durian is considered a delicacy, fruit eaten with the fingers, cracked them apart at the seams and removing the flesh from the seed of the camera

It tastes like sweet almond cream with the addition of cream cheese, onion sauce, cherry syrup and other hard-compatible products.

Durian, if it is not ripe, it smells just a cut form, and the smell only comes in half an hour after the fruit has been cut. Odor durian sometimes described as a mixture of rotten onions, cheese and turpentine.

Because of this, in many countries of Southeast Asia, forbidden to make durian in public places and transport, in many hotels in countries where growing durian, even a poster with crossed picture fruit especially a lot of the posters we've seen in Singapore, there is even a penalty for it relies.

The composition of durian includes a rich collection of minerals - potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc, are vital elements for the functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, immune and other body systems. A decoction of the leaves and roots of the durian is used as antipyretic, and the flesh as a vermifuge. It is eaten fresh, added to the pastry, as a filling in a chocolate candy, ice cream, drinks, fried as a side dish or mixed with rice.

For the first time we decided to get acquainted with the taste of durian in Malaysia, with the ice cream tasted this flavor. We absolutely did not like it, though it had hardly anything in common with the taste of real fruit - in the composition was soy milk and a dozen flavors, stabilizers, etc...

Indifferent to this we have not seen the fruit - it is either beloved or disgusted. Previously, we have avoided even talk about how to try durian, but recently do decide on this feat. Our verdict - durian has a very rich taste with a lot of shades, we liked it very much, so that in the future we will certainly buy it.

Carambola (carambola) or star fruit

There are basically 2 types: acidic, usually green and sweet - yellow. Fruits of both varieties are very juicy, and slightly grassy. Acidic varieties have a pronounced tonic effect, we tried them for the first time in Bali, these varieties are ideal for salads.

Sweet varieties, we learned long ago, traveling in Europe, especially loved them in the Canary Islands. Juicy flesh is more reminiscent of a harmonious combination of gooseberry, apple and cucumber. Sweet varieties are very tasty raw, they can also be added to smoothies, or used as an edible decoration of cakes and ice-cream - when cutting the fruit obtained cute sprocket.

Thanks to its juicy carambola is ideal for quenching thirst. Mineral and vitamin complex fruit presented in calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, beta-carotene and vitamins B1, B2, B5, C and Aroma carambola is greatly enhanced if it is slightly boiled in the syrup until soft.

Asian lemon (lemon)

Of course, the lemons are everywhere, and they can be attributed to the tropical fruit at a stretch, but we decided, nevertheless, to write about them because they are very different to the usual appearance. Asian Lemons small, round, yellow-green or green, which gives them similar to the lime with which they are often confused tourists.

By the way, the lemon is very great changes or transforms the familiar taste of the fruit. Try, for example, sprinkle with lemon juice and papaya will get an unusual flavor, papaya seem even sweeter.

Yet we often use lemons for cooking lemon-ginger-honey tea. Lemon contains so much vitamin C that, even at short heating lemon juice to 100 ° C, the content of vitamin C is almost not reduced, allowing him to add and save tea with useful properties (important not boil it).

Lemon juice is a preventive measure against heart attacks, strokes, and can kill a few dozen viruses.

Chompu (chomphu), Syzygium cumini, yambozaili or Malay apple, it is also referred to as waxy, pink, mining or water apple

The fruits are oblong, bell-shaped. Although called apple fruit, he looks more like a small pear 4-8 cm long. The fruit has a pink-red or dark red, sometimes red-green waxy cuticle, inside white crunchy juicy flesh and 1 or 2 non-edible brown seed, although there fruits and without seed. At the ripe fruit flavor pleasant, sweet, and the fruit is good for quenching thirst. For the first time we tried in Bali - we bought several times, and each time different tastes, from very sweet to flavorless watery seems we have not learned how to determine the maturity of the fruit.

Ripe fruits are edible wax apple is not only fresh, but also stewed with cloves and other spices, and cream. Unripe fruits are suitable for the preparation of marmalades, jams and marinades. Also, these fruits are made white and red wine. Malay apple contains bioactive substances, which reduces blood sugar levels, so it is very useful for diabetics. Also, it is widely used in folk medicine in many tropical countries. For example, a decoction of the bark is used in disorders of the intestine, a decoction of the root, as a diuretic, and the juice of the leaves is used as a lotion for the face, or take with him the bathroom. Fruit has an antimicrobial effect, is used for regulation of blood pressure and in the treatment of colds.

Sirsak (sirsak), guanabana, Annona barbed or soursop

Fruit heart-shaped or oval, irregularly shaped, 15-20 cm in length and up to 3 kg. The rind is thin and tough, has a small, fleshy spines located mesh pattern, color dark green, sometimes with splashes of black, ripe fruit slightly yellowing. The flesh is juicy, fibrous, pale cream-colored, like a custard, divided into segments, has a unique fragrant smell, reminiscent of pineapple, sweet taste with a little sour, nutmeg.

The fruit is eaten as fresh and used for making beverages, desserts, fruit salads and ice cream. Fruits are harvested ripe, not, hard, as if to let them ripen on the tree - they fall and become damaged. At room temperature, they ripen and become soft. In Indonesia, immature fruits are used as vegetables.

We eat it fresh, first tried in the Canary Islands, but the taste is not appreciated then and for a long time did not buy. And recently, when we wanted exotic and bought sirsak, taste like. We just cut in half, by analogy with the pitaya and eat flesh with a spoon, but it can be cut into cubes and eat with a fork, as you prefer.

Sirsak contains important minerals - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin C and B vitamins for fruit good intestinal microflora, improving liver function, normalize gastric acidity, displays the body of uric acid, therefore, it is recommended to people who suffer from such diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis and gout. In folk medicine, the bark and leaves are used as a sedative and antispazmicheskoe, they are used for insomnia, cough, flu, fatigue, asthma and hypertension.

bananas (banana)

This is definitely one of the most popular fruits in the world. It's hard to believe, looking at the pile of bananas in the same tape or Auchan, but more than 40 different species there are in the world. Most of all sorts, both in the sale, we have seen in India (about a dozen). They sell bananas in different colors, shapes and sizes from the very small to the little finger to the giant under 30 cm and of course, each of them has its own unique taste.

In India, we have bananas for fruit number one. Firstly, they are incredibly tasty, most of all we loved yellow, and red finger, they are very much sweet. Secondly, because of the ease of cleaning and security in unsanitary conditions. Third, they are very cheap - $ 0, 3-0, 5 for a big bunch, weighing 1, 5 kg.

By the way, red bananas practically do not export, because they are very soft and gentle, they quite easily damaged during transportation.

Ecuadorian bananas, which are all used in Russia, for the sweetness and flavor to any comparison does not go with the Asian varieties.

Bananas are divided into two main groups: sweet, which use, in raw or dried form, and sycamore, which require heat treatment.

The flesh of sweet varieties very sweet taste, contains large amounts of sugars, carbohydrates and small amounts of proteins and fats, so they are often used in sports nutrition.

Platano - a fruit with green or red-skinned, with a starchy, stiff, often savory flesh, before eating them fried, boiled or steamed. Most often, markets and cafes they are sold as a snack - banana chips or dessert "bananas in batter."

Bananas contains more vitamin B6 than in other fruits, it is this vitamin is responsible for good mood, but because of the high content of phosphorus called banana fruit for intelligence.

By weight, the banana crop is second in the world, ahead of grapes (third place) and giving oranges (first place). The largest number of bananas in the world, India is growing. Dried bananas - "banana figs", can be stored for a long time. In addition to fruits, food can be consumed young shoots of plants, for example, in India are preparing curry. In Bali, we tried to prepare their own curry from young shoots, but apparently that is not taken into account - it turned out very well, too bitter to the taste.

By the way, to buy bananas can be ripened, and they ripen at home, but they should not be stored in the refrigerator, where they quickly turn black.

Banana leaves are decorative elements in the ceremonies of Buddhist and Hindu cultures. They are also used as plates for the traditional South Asian food in India and Sri Lanka.

In Kerala, we have often eaten with such a sheet, the Indians believed that the sheet on which lunch is served, gives food a peculiar taste.

Interesting fact: the world record for the absorption of banana banana is 81 per hour!

The world's largest collection of bananas, which includes more than 470 varieties and about 100 species, is located in Honduras.

Cocoa (cacao)

It is not about the dried cocoa beans, and about the plant and its fruit. For the first time we faced them in Bali, sometimes it can be found in the fruit shop or coffee plantations.

Mature fruit of bright yellow, large, 15-20 cm, the shape looks like a lemon, equipped with longitudinal grooves, inside many large seeds, arranged in several rows and surrounded by white juicy flesh, which you can enjoy. Read more about the cultivation, drying and production of cocoa butter and cocoa powder used in the future for the preparation of chocolate, we wrote in the article "chocolate tree, or how to grow cocoa in Bali."

Conclusion

In this article, we told you only about the fruit, which themselves had pretty good to meet and how to rasprobovat. In Asia, as many more exciting fruit to which we have just eyeing or tried once, but do not understand the taste of that fruit on this topic has not yet been closed

And what fruit you love? Or, perhaps you have tried some interesting exotic fruit, which we have not written? Share it in the comments, we are pleased to read!