Trying fruits can be an exciting gastronomic journey full of
new flavors and textures, with a boost of a nutritional cocktail. Besides
apples and bananas, there is opened Pandora's box just waiting to blow your
mind and take your taste buds on an adventure. Now let's take a glimpse at some
of the ten exotic fruits you may want to try: flavor, uses, and health
benefits.
1. Durian
This is what some people refer to as the "king of
fruits," because of the peculiar smell. Either a person loves that smell,
or totally hates it. Its spiky, green husk covers a creamy, custard-like flesh
whose taste is mostly described as a mix of almonds, onions, and garlic. Due to
the strong smell, durian has been banned in some public places throughout Asia.
Taste and Texture
Durian is rich and custard-like, with a complex flavor
profile that marries sweet, savory, and creamy components. An acquired
smell-most people get hooked once they get through the smell.
Uses and Benefits
It can be consumed raw and also finds its place in some
juicy smoothies, ice cream, and cakes. Durian fruit prevents deficiencies in
the digestive system, boosts immunity, and maintains overall health due to the
presence of vitamins C and B, fiber, and healthy fats.
2. Rambutan
Rambutan is a tropical fruit originating from Southeast Asia
and has recently gained popularity owing to its red or yellow hair-like skin.
The name is derived from a Malay word "rambut," which refers to a
hair-like quality, or an appearance it may retain.
Flavor and Texture
The flesh of the rambutan is translucent, juicy, sweet, and
has a flavor very close to that of the lychee-though somewhat floral in taste.
The texture is somewhat akin to that of a grape.
Uses and Benefits
Rambutan is consumed raw often in fruits as well as salads
and can also be used in preparation of desserts. It contains antioxidants Vitamin
C and iron, which enable a person to have a good immune system and well as a
good skin.
3. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a very conspicuous
fruit, with its bright pink or yellow skin, while the inside is white or red
with minute black seeds. Living up to the name, dragon fruit got the name
because of the appearance it holds, looking like a dragon.
Taste and Texture
Mildly sweet, it bears an approximation in taste to kiwi and
pear. Firm and refreshing, this will be a great base for fruit salads and
smoothies.
Uses and Benefits
Most of the consumption of dragon fruits is as fresh, juice,
or used for garnishing. Antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber help digestion be in
good condition, skin healthy, and immunity great.
4. Passion Fruit
This is one fruit that comes with a hard outer rind, purple,
yellow, or green-colored, which contains inside it a jelly-like pulp with black
seeds.
Taste and Texture
The pulp of the passion fruit is aromatic but sweet and a
little acidic. Still, this fruit is juicy and crunchy due to the seeds inside.
Uses and Benefits
The fruit can be consumed fresh, as smoothies, and even for
flavoring desserts and sauces. It is also full of vitamins A and C, dietary
fiber, and plant-based compounds that are great for digestion and skin glow,
among other conditions.
5. Cherimoya
These are exotic cherimoya or custard apple, which is green
and has a scaly appearance with a white creamy interior. This fruit is very
creamy and sweet and the majority of those who tried it score it at the top of
all exotic fruits in terms of taste.
Flavor and Texture
The flavor description for the cherimoya is an introduction
from banana, pineapple and vanilla. One can say that the texture of the creamy
interior resembles that of a ripe pear or avocado fruit.
Uses and Benefits
It is used fresh, in smoothies, and in dessert; and these
are only a few options to name. It contains vitamin C and B6 in very higher
proportions, fibers and antioxidants which are known to have some qualities
that are health wise beneficial in terms of heart, digestion and boosters of
the immune system.
6. Starfruit (Carambola)
Starfruit, or carambola, is the tropical fruit of an
oxalis-looking plant. The fruit is in a star shape when cut across. The outer
skin is smooth and waxy and is usually colored green, yellow, or orange.
Flavor and Texture
It is firm and juicy, contains sweetness in taste. It has a
sweetness and some sort of sourness that it would be likened to having an apple
that contains something sour in it. Starfruits are naturally slightly sour in
taste however it varies with the stage of ripeness of the fruits.
Use and Benefits
It can be consumed fresh, juiced, and used as a garnish. Low
in calorie count but high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber that amount to
immunities, digestion, and general well-being.
7. Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a big, green fruit covered with spikes weighing
from 10 to 25 pounds. It carries inside a number of big fruits that are yellow
in color.
Flavor and Texture
In concept, at least-if not actually-the pulp of the
jackfruit has a sweet, tropical flavor reminiscent of the result of banana,
pineapple, and mango combined. So fibrous in texture and meaty in feel, it is a
favorite substitute for meat in vegetarian and vegan diets.
Use and Benefits
They are fresh, dried or even cooked depending on consumers’
preference of food consumption. Both can be applied sweet and savoury recipes.
Healthy skin, digestion system and the heart can be attributed to this fruit
because it contains vitamins A and C, potassium, and dietary fiber.
8. Longan
Longan is a small round fruit, otherwise known as a
"dragon's eye," because of the thin brown shell that covers it. It
has a sweet and juicy interior with a translucent color. They are somewhat
similar in appearance to fruits such as lychee or rambutan.
Taste and Texture
Longan is mostly sweet, floral in taste, with a hint of
muscat grape, while its texture is just like that of a lychee, juicy yet
somehow chewy.
Uses and Benefits
Longan is eaten fresh and dried in Asian desserts and soups.
Longan is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, which are
beneficial in maintaining good immunity and health.
9. Salak (Snake Fruit)
Salak or snake fruit gets the name from the reddish-brown
scaly skin it has, similar to snake scales. Inside, it has firm, translucent
flesh that is sweet and tart.
Flavor and Texture
Salak is firm and rather dry, with a texture somewhat like
that of an apple or pear, with flavor that can be sweet to a little bit sour.
This fruit has this special puckering taste that is refreshing and interesting.
Uses and Benefits
It is eaten fresh or used in fruit salads, fruit juices, and
desserts. It has high content of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins A and C; aids
digestion, skin health, and immunity.
10. Mangosteen
The mangosteen has a thick, purple rind wrapped around it
with juicy, white flesh inside. It is normally referred to as the "queen
of fruits" because it has a sweet and salivary taste combined with a high
nutritional value.
Taste and Texture
Sweet with a slight touch of sour; flavor resembles a hint
of peach, pineapple, and citrus flavors. Juicy, soft flesh, smooth, silky to the
tongue.
Uses and Benefits
Apart from fresh consumption, the mangosteen applies to
juices and beverages and various desserts. The vitamins C and B6 in this fruit
are excellent sources of antioxidants and dietary fiber that help in modifying
the immune system and providing good skin and vitality.
Conclusion
Exotic fruits introduce one into a completely new world:
flavors, textures, and ways of preparation. Each fruit is going to be a
different experience that ranges in uniqueness added to the diet-from custard
creaminess in the cherimoya down to the very tangy zest of passion fruit-thus
tantalizing your taste buds with wonder. Different fruits are added to food
in order to make meals varied, along with carrying a lot of nutrients very
useful to human health.
Please book an appointment with the best Nutritionist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.
