Fruits

Bael fruit is also called wood apple because it has a very hard woody surface. It can be eaten fresh or dried. Sliced and dried Bael fruits are used to make a drink by simmering the dried fruit in water.

Bilberry fruits are used to make jams or in pies, sometimes in combination with other forest fruits.

For nearly 1000 year, bilberry fruits have been used as a medicine for circulatory problems, diarrhea and other problems. Also leaves of bilberry have medicinal properties and are used for diabetes and other problems.

The fruit of the blackberry is actually not a true berry but an aggregate fruit. It is composed of many small fruits. Blackberries are often growing wild in forest areas in temperate regions.

Several other Rubus species are also called blackberry or bramble.

Canistel is a relatively rare fruit originating from Central America.

The fruits have an orange or yellow color. The sweet flesh resembles the yolk of a boiled egg. For this reason the fruit is sometimes called "egg-fruit".

Wild cherries grow in most of Europe, western Asia and parts of northern Africa. The cultivated cherry has its origin in Turkey, from where it spread to Europe. Cherries can grow in most temperate climates.

Most sweet cherries are eaten fresh, while sour cherries (another species) are used for cooking.

Cherries and plums are closely related fruits. An in-between type of fruit is the cherry plum, which is actually a small plum belonging to the same genus (Prunus) as cherry and plum.

The taste of Cherry Plum is a mix of cherry and plum, which explains the name.

The date palm is a palm tree that produces very sweet fruits. It grows well in hot climates, often in an oasis in desert areas.

Durians are said to have aphrodisiac effects. But that is not the reason that the durian is forbidden in many Asian hotels. The reason for this ban is its very strong smell.

The American gooseberry is smaller than the European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) which in fact is a different species. It has fruits with a red color.

The common fig is native to the Middle East where it was already grown thousands of years ago. If you have ever seen a picture of Adam and Eve, you probably know the fig leaf. But of course figs are better appreciated for their tasty fruits which can be eaten fresh or dried.

There are two types of gooseberry. This page is about the European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa). The American gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum) is a different species.

Grapes can be eaten fresh, but many grapes are used to produce white or red wine. Grapes are among the most popular fruits in the world. In 2010 the estimated world production of Grapes was 68 million Metric Tons, which corresponds to about 10 kg per person.

Grapefruits belong, just like the orange and the pomelo, to the Citrus family. Actually, it is a hybrid between the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and the Pomelo (Citrus maxima). There is some confusion of names as grapefruits are sometimes called pomelos.

Lychee or litchi trees produce their tasty fruits during a very short period each year, but canned fruits can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Lychee is an important fruit tree in south China and south-east Asia.

Guava has its origin in Central America and Southern Mexico. Currently, Guava can be found in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

Ripe fruits of guava are eaten fresh or cancan be stewed for use in pies. Guavas are also used to make jam, juice or jelly.

A less known tropical fruit is the Mafai or Burmese grape with small round fruits that can be eaten fresh or stewed.

The maprang tree originates from South East Asia. Maprang fruits look like small mango fruits, but the taste is a bit different. They are mostly eaten fresh.

Passion fruits have a delicious taste and are used in soft drinks and in cocktails.

The passionfruit is a climbing plant which is also well known for its beautiful flowers. There are two types of passion fruit: purple and yellow.

The papaya (or Pawpaw) originates from Mexico, Central America and Northern South America, but is now grown in most tropical regions of the world.

Papaya is one of the most important tropical fruits in the world. The fruits are eaten fresh often at breakfast or as a dessert.

Oranges originate from south-east Asia but can now be found in most tropical and sub-tropical climates around the world.

Oranges are eaten fresh or they are used to produce orange juice. Like other citrus fruits, they are rich in vitamins.

There are two types of Lansium domesticum. The name Langsat is used for the types where the skin is quite sticky to the fruit. The name Longkong has skin that is easily peeled off (without milky latex).

Peaches are known for their soft velvety skin and their sweet aromatic and juicy flesh. Nectarines are a type of peach, but with a smooth skin. Some people think that nectarines are a cross between peach and plum, but this is not true.

The pear is a close relative of the apple. While most pears have a pear-shape, some varieties resemble apples, so it not always easy to distinguish the fruits.

Jujube is a tropical fruit resembling and tasting rather like small apples. The fruits are eaten fresh, just like apples.

There are different varieties of jujube with different sizes and shapes (round, oval) and a variation in color (yellow, green).

The tamarind tree originates from Eastern Africa and Madagascar.

Tamarind fruits are eaten fresh as a fruit, or are used for cooking to give flavor to sauces. Young leaves of the tamarind tree can be used in salads.

There is a legend that says that sleeping under a flowering tamarind tree will give you strange dreams.

Jackfruit is one of the biggest and most impressive fruits. It originates from India, but is now grown in most tropical countries. Jackfruit is usually used as a fresh fruit or in fruit salads. Unripe fruits are used as a vegetable.

Sugar apple originates from the Caribbean. Fruits of the sugar apple are usually eaten fresh, but can also be used to make wine.

Sugar apple is sometimes confused with custard apple, which is another but closely related fruit.

Starfruit or Carambola has a golden-yellow to green color and a slightly tart, acidic, sweet taste. When cut across the fruit shows a 5-pointed star shape, which is why the fruits got their name.

Fruits of the star apple are eaten fresh. The round fruits are usually 6 or 7 cm in diameter. The color is purple or green and inside is very sweet whitish flesh. If you cut the fruit in halves it looks like a star.

Star apple is a rather unknown but beautiful tree with leaves that are golden brown on the underside, which is why it is also called Golden leaf tree.

Soursop is a fruit with an acidic taste. It is usually eaten fresh or squeezed for its juice.

Soursop is closely related to the sweeter custard apple. Seedless varieties of soursop are available which must be propagated by grafting.

Sour cherries come in two varieties: the morello cherry (dark red color) and the amarelle cherry (lighter red color). The sour cherry is usually used in cooking, for example in soups and pork dishes, cakes, tarts, and pies. Sour cherries can be used to make jam or sauces, which can be used with ice cream. Sour cherries are also used in liqueurs and other drinks. Most people think that sour cherries are too sour to be eaten fresh.

Santol is also knows as wild mangosteen or sandorica. It is a tropical tree that originates in southeast Asia.

Pomelo is the largest of all citrus fruits. It has a very thick rind (much thicker than in any other citrus) and is filled with a sweetish yellow or pink flesh.

Pomelo fruits are usually eaten fresh, or the fruits are used to make pomelo juice.

The Azarole originates from the Mediterranean region.

Fruits of the azarole are usually not eaten fresh because they have a rather acid taste, but are used to make jam, juice or wine.

The name Azarole can be confused with Acerola, which is a different type of fruit.

Rose apples originate from South East Asia.

The crispy rose apple fruits smell and taste like rose water. They are eaten fresh without removing the skin.

Karkadé is a drink made from Roselle.

While the roselle plant produces fruits, it is usually not these fruits but the flowers that are used to make a very tasty and bright red juice.

Red currants are usually eaten fresh. The juicy bright red fruits have a rather sour taste and some people will cover them with loads of sugar. Tea made of the leaves of red currant has medicinal properties. It can ease symptoms of gout and rheumatism and it is also used in compresses on wounds. As a gargling solution the tea of red currant leaves is used to treat mouth infections.

Rambutan fruits are easily recognized because of their spines and bright red color. This tropical fruit has its origin in South-east Asia. It can now also be found in Central America, the Carribean, Africa and Australia.

Pineapples originate from southern Brazil and Paraguay. They are the only bromeliad fruits that are being cultivated. The fruits are best when eaten fresh, but pineapples are also often sold in cans. Together with mango, papaya, banana and avocado, they are very popular tropical fruits. Some people grow them as ornamental plants.

With a water content of 92% (and a melon content of 8%) it is clear how watermelons got their name. Watermelons are big fruits with a watery, usually red colored, flesh and hundreds of small seeds.

Plums are temperate fruits which when mature are often covered by a wax coating called "wax bloom". This gives them a bluish-grey appearance. They are usually eaten fresh. There are many varieties and a number of subspecies that all are known as plums or prunes.

An old proverb is "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".  This could be the reason why apples are among the most popular fruits in the world. The apple tree has its origin in Kazakhstan, but is now found in many regions with a temperate or subtropical climate. Highest production is in China, but other important producers include USA, Iran, Turkey, Russia, India, Italy and France.

Longan trees can produce thousands of ping-pong ball sized fruits that are eaten fresh or dried. They look a bit similar to 'langsat' and 'longkong'. The fruits (also called Dragon Eye) can be eaten fresh, but can also be dried. Dried fruits have a dark color and are eaten as snacks or can be used in cooking.