Also called African cucumber, it is native to the Black Land but also occurs in California, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. Its aroma is reminiscent of a banana, and its taste of kiwi, melon and cucumber. Although it is edible, it is usually used as a decoration due to its long shelf life (it can stay for up to six months at room temperature). ¹⁾

Passionflower is a plant that grows mainly in the Andes and is a cousin of passion fruit. Its fruits and seeds are very similar to passion fruit but have tougher skin. Granadilla is a rich source of vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, E and K as well as phosphorus, iron and calcium. You split it in half and then use the inside for juice, jams or ice cream. The granadilla is sweeter than the passion fruit, but not as refreshing. ²⁾

Carica pentagona is a melon tree and is a natural cross between papaya and toronche trees. It produces an exotic fruit called babaco, which is oblong and shaped like a five-pointed star. The plant grows in the Andean part of Ecuador, although from here it has also made its way to New Zealand. Carica pentagona produces only female fruits, which means they have no seeds. It is an antioxidant and has vitamins A, C and E. Babaco is considered the fruit of youth because its properties are said to be good for the skin and the aging process. ³⁾

Lulo or Naranjilla produces fruit that is slightly similar to tomatoes. In Ecuador and Panama it is called naranjilla and in Colombia lulo, which is the more common name in the world. The lulo is a very disease-prone plant, which is why it is not grown on a large scale and is not exported as much as other fruits. Naranjilla is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus, fiber and antioxidants. ⁴⁾

Yellow pitahaya is also called dragon fruit. It comes from Central America and it is a fruit of cacti, therefore it likes a dry climate. ⁵⁾

Red pitahaya is called “Queen of the Night” (Reina de la Noche) in Mexico. The red variety of dragon fruit is a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It is said to be good for the skin, teeth and bones, another way to rejuvenate yourself. ⁶⁾

Tomate de árbol is called tamarillo, thick-leafed digitomander or tree tomato. It's a cousin of the tomato, except that its bush takes the form of small trees. It comes from South America, where it still grows wild. This exotic fruit comes in several varieties, but the most common ones on sale are those with red skin, sometimes orange, rarely yellow. Tomate de árbol has many vitamins, including A, B6 and E and minerals: magnesium, phosphorus, iron and calcium. ⁷⁾

Pepino dulce or the melon plant, another fruit in the solanaceous family (like the lulo/naranjilla), is native to Peru. It is grown and sold mainly in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Chile. Pepino, also sometimes called melón de árbol, has a yellow skin with purple patches resembling those on watermelon, and its interior is a source of vitamins, particularly C, A and B1, as well as soda, phosphorus, calcium and iron. ⁸⁾

Also known as curuba, this exotic fruit comes from the Andes and is cultivated at altitudes between 1800 and 3500 meters above sea level. It has been eaten in the north of South America since pre-Columbian times. It is very popular in Colombia, where it can be purchased under the name curuba. If we want to buy it in Ecuador, we have to look for taxo. This fruit is rich in vitamins A, B and C, as well as iron, calcium and phosphorus. It has an anti-stress, sedative effect, helps people fall asleep and lowers blood pressure. Pregnant Indian women in the Chimborazo region of Ecuador drink an infusion of taxo because they believe it prevents natural miscarriages. ⁹⁾

Citron or cedrat (as it is also sometimes called) grows on small trees or shrubs in Asia. The thick skin is candied and used to make sweets; the flesh is usually not eaten. The name “Buddha's hand” is associated with its place of origin (probably the foothills of the Himalayas) and its shape, which evokes the closed hand of a praying Buddha. ¹⁰⁾

Jackfruit is otherwise known as the fruit of the loaf tree. It is often confused with durian, but they are easily distinguished — the durian has larger thorns. They also differ in the smell, of course, as nothing smells like durian when opened. Jackfruit smells quite pleasant and is the largest fruit growing on a tree in the world. It is very nutritious, has sticky flesh and is very sweet. ¹¹⁾

Durian is called the king of fruits in Asia and is adored by locals. In Singapore, there is even a building in its shape - the Esplanade Opera House. Durian became famous mainly because of its… rather unpleasant smell. This is because it contains as many as 41 different odorous compounds (odorants). ¹²⁾

Carambola is also called star fruit because it resembles a star when cut. In China, it is considered both a fruit and a vegetable (when eaten with skin). It tastes best when it is light yellow and has delicate brown spots. Carambola is a fairly sweet fruit with a slightly sour, sometimes bitter aftertaste. ¹³⁾

Mangosteen is a small, brownish-purple fruit with seeds, the size of a tangerine. Thais refer to it as the queen among fruits. Mangosteen has a thick skin, after opening which you will get to the white flesh. Be careful with it, because it stains a lot, and mangosteen stains are really hard to remove from clothes. It is sweet, slightly sour and very refreshing. ¹⁴⁾

At first glance, it looks a bit like a small red hedgehog or a still immature chestnut because it is enclosed in a spiny “shell.” It is not as spiky as it appears because the “spikes” are soft hairs. Just cut it open and you can taste the sweet, refreshing flesh. What does it taste like? Some compare its flavor to a plum, although there are quite a few differences between the two. It is very healthy and contains many valuable minerals and vitamins. ¹⁵⁾