Is there a fruit that you wish more people knew about? It could be for reasons of superior nutrition, or higher yield, or ecological benefits, or suitability for your local conditions, or satisfying the cravings that banana cannot, or simply deliciousness or uniqueness of flavour.
I have two that come to mind.
I’ve seen too many people in the rainforest buying mangos (Mangifera indica) grown far away and then planting the seeds expecting to get fruit based on ignorance or based on rumours that they heard from some neighbour’s friend’s cousin that mangos are starting to fruit in the area. Other than in times of exceptional drought, it doesn’t work. Mangifera casturi is a species native to the non-seasonal rainforest of Borneo, and it fruits abundantly even in constant rain and damp, and yes, the fruit quality is comparable to a clonal selection of Mangifera indica and superior to many seedlings of that species. The flavour is intense and delicious. Mangifera casturi deserves far more attention.
Astrocaryum murumuru is not such a delightful fruit in comparison, but it fills an important niche. I know many people who enjoy (and even seem to develop somewhat of an obsession with) a particular spiny palm and its fruit of questionable edibility. Anything that that plant can do, murumuru can do better. The fruit is decidedly more edible (spines notwithstanding), as it doesn’t contain calcium oxalate crystals that stab all of the soft tissue in one’s insides, and it is more sweet and not so much a dry, greasy, starchy assault on the digestive system. The palm itself is more sturdy, less prone to falling over so long as it is able to grow a straight stem and its roots are in stable ground. The spines are far superior, truly a marvel to behold, as they easily achieve at least double the length of those found in many other palm species, with enhanced sharpness for piercing even bone. This plant is not for everyone, but it is a truly excellent choice for those who want a fruiting palm that poses a major hazard to all who encounter it. Great for planting along borders, and the neighbours won’t steal the fruit.
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Coffea liberica and really any of the coffee species other than arabica and robusta. Climate change is going to continue hitting coffee production hard, and the more variety we can grow, the better. Besides, it tastes really interesting, too.
Don’t think that I’ve ever tried that one. How would you describe it? I’ve tried another coffee, probably C. arabica, and it was okay, but not really a practical food source at all.
You didn’t specify that it had to be food, lol. I had it roasted and brewed like any other coffee. Compared to a run-of-the-mill coffee, it came across a bit like a combination of a Belgian sour beer and a woody tea. It’s definitely not something you’d replace your normal morning cup of coffee with, but it was still interesting and good.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asimina_triloba
Also called pawpaws. They’re terrible for mass production or sale because they have a short shelf life and bruise very easily. I’ve never had one, but I want to eventually.
I’ve been fascinated by this fruit for a long time! I don’t think that I could grow it here, but if I lived in its native range, I would definitely go out in the forest and search for it every chance I got! I’ve even heard of a pawpaw that tasted like durian, but that may have been an exaggeration.
I have a friend who loves them, and he recently bought a house, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts growing them since we’re within their growing range.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inga_edulis
Ice cream bean is neat
Versatile too! Let it grow up big and strong for fruit production and overhead shade for other trees, or keep it small for chop-and-drop. Easy to guerrilla-plant it too, as seeds sprout readily in rainy weather, so you can simply load a sack of them on the bike and do some ride-by seed-bombing. Really an important plant.
@wolfyvegan @winkly The best use of Inga species:
I think in english it is called persimmon.
I don’t know why, but it’s not easy to find this fruit even tho it grows localy. They really are not common, unless you know a tree!
Do you mean Diospyros kaki? There are many species of persimmons, but I concur, many people don’t even seem to know what they are! I’m growing Diospyros blancoi since that’s what should do well in this climate.
Yes, it’s Diospyros kaki! And your Diospyros blancoi, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them. I’ll ask around if we got them around here. Btw, do you find them to be delicious? For D. kaiki I can say some people don’t like them. Personally, I like them a lot when they are super ripe, otherwse tbh not so much.
It will be years before I’m able to try the fruit of Diospyros blancoi, but I’ve heard only good things!
It’d be nice if Mangosteens were more available where I am. They’re the best tasting fruit I’ve ever had.
Long live the queen!
Serviceberry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelanchier
They’re all over the place here, though you have a short window of opportunity to gather the fruit before the birds go apeshit and eat it all. I’ve had delicious jam made from it. Quite a sweet fruit, with no bitterness or tartness, unlike a lot of other wild edibles.
An excellent native option for colder climates! Which species is your favourite? :)
I don’t know the species, and there are a few that are found in my area. One day I’ll bring the field guide and figure it out.
