Tag: Exotic produce

While its spiky orange exterior may seem intimidating, the horned melon, or kiwano, is a fascinating fruit with a complex flavor profile. So, what does horned melon taste like? The taste varies significantly depending on its ripeness, offering a journey from a mild, vegetable-like crispness to a sweet, tropical fruit blend.

According to botanists, thousands of edible fruit species exist worldwide, with many remaining obscure to the average person. This vast diversity prompts a fascinating question: what is the weirdest looking fruit among them? Prepare to explore a lineup of fruits that challenge our conventional notions of produce, proving that beauty is often more than skin-deep.

Native to northeastern India or China, the highly aromatic Buddha's Hand citron is a uniquely shaped citrus fruit that truly stands out from the rest. Also known as the fingered citron, it is the fruit that looks like fingers, a feature that has made it a symbol of good fortune in many Asian cultures.

Native to South and Southeast Asia, the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, with record-breaking specimens weighing over 90 pounds. This immense fruit is not an only child in the plant kingdom, causing many to wonder: what is the sister of the jackfruit?

Interestingly, several plants produce fruits with an uncanny resemblance to the human brain, but they are very different in origin, edibility, and purpose. This visual similarity has led to nicknames for a few distinct species, commonly referenced when asking what is the brain like fruit.

In 2022, USDA Economic Research Service data revealed that the most expensive fruit product per cup equivalent in US grocery stores was not a fresh tropical fruit, but canned cherries packed in syrup. However, this data does not account for the world of ultra-exclusive imported produce.

With some exotic fruits costing thousands of dollars, it's no surprise that certain apple varieties command a high price tag. But which one takes the crown as the world's most expensive? The title is a close race between the stunning Black Diamond apple from Tibet and Japan's massive Sekai Ichi apple, with specialized growing conditions and intense labor driving up their cost.

According to agricultural data, a mangosteen tree can take between 7 and 10 years to bear its first fruit, a significantly longer period than most other fruit trees. This long maturation cycle is just one of several key factors that explain why is mangosteen so expensive in global markets.

In Southeast Asia, the spiky, pungent durian and the sweet, delicate mangosteen are traditionally known as the king and queen of fruits. This regal pair offers a dramatic contrast in flavor, aroma, and appearance, yet they are often enjoyed together in a fascinating culinary tradition.

In May 2023, a pair of Yubari King Melons from Japan sold for approximately $25,000 at auction, setting a high benchmark for high-end produce. This remarkable event highlights a world far removed from the grocery aisle, where the answer to the question, "what is the wealthiest fruit?" lies in a combination of rarity, meticulous cultivation, and cultural significance.