10 Unusual Fruits That You Should Be Eating
You know to eat fruits because they are good for you, but are you getting what you need from the fruits you choose? Perhaps you are not a fan of apples or bananas, and you want to find more fruits to include in your diet. Whatever your reason, check out these less common fruits and why you should be eating them.
1. Kiwano
You may have played with one of these in the grocery store, investigating the unusual dull spikes on this brightly colored fruit. Also called the horned melon, kiwano is native to Africa and provides a burst of juice. It tastes like a combination of cucumber, banana, and kiwi, though many report the flavor to be rather mild.
This fruit is packed with nutrients your body needs, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It covers what a lot of our common fruits provide, and it is low in calories. Eating this fruit like a kiwi is recommended, cutting the fruit in half and spooning the green center into your mouth.
2. Feijoa
This small fruit, also called the pineapple guava, is native to South America. It is now also commercially farmed in the US in California, so it should not be too hard to find. The sweet-tart taste, much like strawberries or pineapple, make this flavorful little gem a great addition to many recipes.
Feijoa fruits are rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, so they are great for any diet. You can make all sorts of foods with them, from breakfasts and smoothies to desserts and jams. Of course, the best way to enjoy them is to scoop the soft cream flesh from the halved fruit and enjoy.
3. Jackfruit
These fruits are the largest fruits that grow on trees, reaching sizes larger than human infants. Native to southern Asia and deemed Bangladesh’s national fruit, jackfruit’s spikey green-brown exterior hides its sweet yellow interior. The fibrous texture of this fruit means it can be used as a meat substitute, like tofu, in meals.
Jackfruit is high in calcium, iron, protein, potassium, and dietary fiber, making it a superfood. You can do all kinds of things with the meat and seeds, so look up some recipes and get cooking! You will have a lot to work with.
4. Pepino
These South American fruits are in the same general family as tomatoes and eggplants, but taste nothing like them. They have the striated pattern common to watermelons, but have a base color of cream and purple stripes. Commonly deemed melons, these actually taste like a mix between a pear and a honeydew.
Pepino fruits have sufficient amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which is why you need to eat them every once in a while. These fruits have a little bit of a lot of nutrients you need, and they are a treat to eat. Simply rinse and eat, no further prep required.
5. Kumquat
These cute little fruits native to southern Asia look like oblong baby oranges, and they taste quite similar. The tiny citrus fruits can now also be found in Europe and North America, as their convenience and usefulness has spread. The most common way to find these fruits is in jams, the whole little slices filling your mouth with citrus flavor.
Kumquat fruits contain vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. If you like oranges and want that vitamin C boost, but hate having to peel them, pop a kumquat in your mouth. You do not need to peel them, and a lot of those valuable nutrients are found in the rind anyways.
6. Dragonfruit
Native to southern North America and South America, this unusual looking fruit is becoming increasingly common in the US. While the outside may not look very welcoming, the inside of these fruits is a lot like kiwi in texture and seed consistency. The white edible interior tastes like a mix of kiwi and watermelon.
The low calorie content and high presence of B-vitamins, along with calcium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, make this fruit simply irresistible. Whether you enjoy the cream-colored center by the slice or in a smoothie, you will go crazy over the delicious flavor and nutritional benefits.
7. Cucamelon
Considered a Central American treat, these fruits are also known as mouse melons or Mexican sour cucumbers. They resemble tiny watermelons, and taste like cucumbers with lime. Because of this flavor, they are often used in salsas.
Cucamelons were used as a Mexican medicine, likely because of their abundance of lycopene, which is great for the various cells and organs in your body. These fruits also have vitamin C and potassium, which join forces with lycopene to lower bad cholesterol. Whether preparing a dish or popping a whole fruit in your mouth, the benefits these fruits provide make them great diet additions.
8. Starfruit
You have probably seen these fruits in the grocery store, as they are climbing the popularity ladder in the US. Native to southern Asia, this fruit does not reveal the origin of its name until sliced. After slicing, the fruit becomes five-point stars that are slightly tart, like a not quite ripe blueberry, with the consistency of honeydew.
These fruits are high in vitamin C, protein, and dietary fiber, making them the perfect sickness fighters. You do not need to peel the fruits; simply enjoy their tart sweetness. You can also cook with them, which will sweeten them up a bit.
9. Cherimoya
These unusual green fruits native to South America have been introduced to tropical climates across the globe. They are sometimes called the custard apple for their shape and their custard-like center hidden beneath big green scales. Despite the nickname, this fruit tastes like a mix between a banana and a pineapple.
Vitamin C, B-vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and iron make this yummy fruit worth seeking for your diet. Unfortunately, it is higher in calories for a fruit, but that does not mean you need to avoid it. Cherimoya has not become very popular in the US yet, so check a Latin American style market for this treat.
10. Pomelo
This is another fruit you have probably seen at the grocery store before, possibly mistaking it for a mutant grapefruit. It is the largest citrus fruit, so you were not too far off. Native to southern Asia, these fruits can be yellow or green with pale green or bright pink meat, depending on which variety you choose. The rind is much thicker than that of grapefruits, but the meat is slightly sweeter.
As with all citrus fruits, pomelos are packed with vitamin C. They also have significant amounts of B-vitamins, potassium, and magnesium, which your body needs for basic functions. Grab one of these the next time you see one to widen you fruit scope and enjoy a new healthy snack.
