1. Rambutan
Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
Rambutans are grown in Thailand as well as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. Most rambutans are red, but in Malaysia a smaller, yellow rambutan can also be found. Rambutans grow in clusters on evergreen trees, and are hairy-looking exotic wonders! The fruit is sweet and juicy, being commonly found in jams or available canned.
Buying Tips: Rambutans can be purchased in North America at Asian markets and Asian/Chinese food stores – look for them in the produce section. When buying rambutans, look for bright red skin. A little orange or yellow on the skins in addition to red is okay, but green skins mean the rambutans are unripe. Don’t buy rambutans that have turned black or have a lot of black “hairs”, as this indicates they are over-ripe.
Health Benefits: Rambutans are high in vitamin C, plus copper, manganese, and trace elements of many other nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and iron.
2. Jackfruit
Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Jackfruit is a common fruit for Asia and Australia and considered as one of the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The juicy pulp around the seeds have a taste similar to pineapple, but milder. Apart from canned jackfruit, it is also available as sweet chips. The wood of the tree is used for making various musical instruments, while the fruit is a common ingredient for many Asian dishes.
Jackfruit contains many vitamins and minerals, and offers numerous health benefits. The fruit’s isoflavones, antioxidants, and phytonutrients mean that jackfruit has cancer-fighting properties. It is also known to help cure ulcers and indigestion.
3. Passion Fruit
Native to South America, grown in India, New Zealand, Brazil, etc
The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds, being commonly found in juices to boost their flavors. There are two types of passion fruit: the golden one (maracuyá), similar to a grapefruit and the dark purple passion fruit (gulupa), comparable in terms of size with a lemon. However, the latter ones have been reported as being mildly poisonous.
4. Lychee
Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan
Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture. The fruit has started making its appearance in markets worldwide, refrigerated or canned with its taste intact.
Lychee Benefits & Nutrition
Lychees are a rich source of Vitamin C, as well as calcium, potassium and phosphorus. Vitamin C helps the body to fight heart disease and cancer, and it is also good for our bones, skin and tissue. Lychee also contains flavonoids in its pulp which prove very effective against breast cancer in particular.
Lychee increases fluids in the body, and enhances the feeling of well being. Lychee is extremely rich in Vitamin C and contains approximately 40 percent more vitamin C than orange. It has high levels of Beta carotene, greater than carrots and is is considered diuretic and digestive. Also Lychee contains unsaturated fatty acids, which helps to prevent blood clots, severe cell damage and reduces strokes, up to 50%, in heart attack patients. A good source of carbohydrates and fiber. Eating lychee fruit is suggested as a cure for a cough, digestive complaints and even ulcers.
5. Star fruit
Star fruit, also known as Carambola, is perhaps one of the most fun and interesting shaped foods on the planet. When sliced, it becomes immediately apparent that they could not be named more appropriately, and it is a delight to behold as well as enjoy. Native to the Philippines, star fruit is now widely popular and available worldwide. It also has many nutritive and beneficial properties that make this fruit not only fun, but worth its weight in gold (or at least antioxidants and heath benefits).
Star fruit is high in vitamin C (providing 75% of your RDA). It contains 5% RDA of potassium, and gives you nearly four grams of fiber per one cup serving. It also contains trace amounts of vitamin A (beta-carotene), Niacin (B5), and vitamin E, as well as traces of minerals magnesium, calcium, selenium, copper, and zinc. And it gives all of this in only about 41 calories!
Perhaps the most beneficial thing about star fruit however is its high content of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. It contains both primary and secondary polyphenol antioxidants, which have clinically studied benefits such as reduced cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention. They are also being currently studied for their involvement slowing the aging process and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Star fruit also has anti microbial constituents as well, with extracts of the fruit showing effectiveness against staph, salmonella, and e coli. Overall, this amazingly shaped and interestingly flavored tropical fruit definitely warrants attention and exploration – for fun, for nutrition, and for its additional health benefits!
6. Mangosteen
Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in antioxidants, some scientists even suggesting it can lower risk against certain human diseases, such as cancer. There are even legends about Queen Victoria offering a reward to the one that brings her the fruit.
Health Benefits of Xanthones (concentrated in the Mangosteen Rind):
Help to heal cell damaged by free radicals. It help to prevent degenerative diseases and mental deterioration. Mangosteen rind has natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Xanthones in mangosteen, provide beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases like; ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and thrombosis. Mangosteen fruit contain vasorelaxant properties (causing dilation of blood vessels and increased blood flow). Mangosteen is highly effective in boosting weak immune systems.
7. Kumquat
Native to China
The kumquats or cumquats are small edible fruits resembling oranges that grow in a tree related to the Citrus. As with most of the fruits in the Citrus family, the kumquats are eaten raw. They are often used in marmalade and jelly but also in alcoholic drinks such as liquor. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.
8. Durian
Native to Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines
Also known as the “King of Fruits,” Durian has a very particular odor, a unique taste and is covered by a hard husk. Having a disagreeable smell, compared to skunk spray or sewage, the fruit is forbidden in hotels and public transportations in Southeast Asia. Still, the whole experience is worth it, considering the absolutely divine taste of the Durian.
9. Dragon Fruit
Native to Mexico and Central and South America
Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pataya and the yellow pataya. Juice or wine can be obtained from the fruit, while the flowers can be eaten or used for tea.
Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit:
As dragon fruit is a good source of antioxidants, it prevents free radicals and protects from causing cancer and other health detriments from entering your body.
This fruit helps in neutralizing the toxic substances such as heavy metals. Besides, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be reduced by consuming dragon fruit.
Regular consumption of this aids in fighting against cough and asthma. This has high amounts of vitamin C and helps in healing bruises and cuts quickly and enhancing the immune system. Vitamin B2 present in dragon fruit acts like a multivitamin and helps to improve and recover the loss of appetite. Vitamin B1 in this fruit helps in increasing the energy production and also in metabolizing carbohydrates. Due to the presence of vitamin B3, it helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels. It improves the appearance of your skin by smoothing and moisturizing it. It improves eyesight and avoids hypertension. As it is a good source of phosphorus and calcium, it reinforces bones, helps in tissue formation and forms healthy teeth. Regular consumption of dragon fruit decreases weight, thereby creates a well-balanced body. Dragon fruit is also helpful in reducing blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
10. African Cucumber
Native to Kalahari Desert, Africa
The African cucumber, horned melon or melano is a fruit that can be best described as melon with horns. It originated in the Kalahari Desert and is now present in California and New Zealand. The dark green pulp reminds one of bananas, limes, passion fruit and cucumber. It is often used for decorating food but also in smoothies and sundaes.
