Dragon Fruit – The Night-Blooming Cactus Wonder
Picture this: a fruit that grows on a cactus that only flowers at night. Dragon fruit comes in three varieties – red, white, and yellow, with bright white or deep purple flesh speckled with tiny black seeds. The texture feels remarkably similar to kiwi, though the flavor can be wildly unpredictable.
Some dragon fruits are incredibly sweet, while others taste like nothing at all. The yellow variety tends to be the sweetest and most flavorful. It’s packed with magnesium, fiber, iron, vitamin C, and betacyanin, which has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, plus antioxidant properties and anti-cancer effects that may help prevent breast cancer.
What makes this fruit truly fascinating is its recent journey from exotic curiosity to mainstream superfood. Dole is actively promoting new varieties and enhancing its product offerings to cater to the evolving preferences of health-conscious consumers.
Rambutan – The Hairy Mystery from Southeast Asia
While the flesh is similar to a lychee or longan, the exterior is a beautifully chaotic mess of red hair. In fact, the word rambutan comes from the Malay word for hair (rambut). It looks more like a sea urchin you’d find in the depths of the ocean than a traditional fruit, with little vibrant green hairs dancing wildly about.
The flesh on the inside is white in color and is eaten. It is very fragrant and tasty, with many people comparing its taste to sweet and sour grapes. Rambutan fruits contain vitamins C, B1, and B2, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Don’t let the intimidating appearance fool you – once you crack through that spiky exterior, you’ll discover one of nature’s most refreshing treats.
Agricultural scientists note that rambutans come in red and yellow varieties. In Malaysia, the red ones are common and available almost year-round, while the yellow ones are much rarer. The difference in taste between varieties is remarkable, with yellow rambutans offering an entirely different flavor profile.
Jackfruit – The Colossal Meat Substitute
The national fruit of Bangladesh, jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world. This massive fruit can weigh up to 80 pounds with its outer covering being green or yellow with cone-shaped spikes. Don’t be afraid – this is not a gigantic durian, but it can weigh up to 35 kilograms and grow up to a meter in length.
Besides being enjoyed fresh, jackfruit’s texture also makes it a popular meat substitute in vegan dishes. When cooked, jackfruit takes on a texture similar to pulled pork and has grown in popularity in the Western world as a vegan substitute for meat. It can also be shredded in the same way. The seeds are edible and even have a chocolatey taste when cooked.
Fresh jackfruit is rich in vitamin C and B – and fruits aren’t typically high in vitamin B. It also contains potassium, calcium, flavonoids, which reduce inflammation, and carotenoids, which can be beneficial in protecting against cancers, cardiovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration. Jackfruit is known to provide much needed sustenance in underprivileged communities, as it is particularly protein heavy (3 grams per cup).
Mangosteen – The Queen of Antioxidants
Purple mangosteen, characterized by its beautiful purple-blue pericarp and white, juicy aril that has a sweet, pleasant taste, is known for its rapid postharvest changes and short shelf life, as well as its potential medicinal value. The purple mangosteen known as the “queen of fruit” is widely consumed and unique not only because of its outstanding appearance and flavor but also its remarkable and diverse pharmacological effects.
Recent scientific studies suggest that mangosteen possesses strong antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-microbial, and anti-malarial properties. Xanthone and vitamins in mangosteen are considered the major active components. After a 30-day trial, the group given the mangosteen-based drink formula showed 15% more antioxidant capacity in the bloodstream than the placebo group.
The highest total phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were observed in hilly areas during the fruit season along the Gulf of Thailand. More than 60 different xanthones have been isolated from the mangosteen pericarp, bark, and roots. Among the xanthones, α-Mangostin is the most abundant and is also one of the most studied xanthones due to its potential therapeutic properties.
Durian – The Infamous King of Fruits
Durian is an exotic fruit with a weird shape from Southeast Asia known for its disgusting smell. If there was a competition about the stinkiest food on the planet, durian would be one of the frontrunners. It’s banned in public transport, some hotels, restaurants, and public areas. The fruit is the size of a volleyball, and interestingly, the durian tree doesn’t bear fruits until at least 15 years old which explains the high price that goes up to $50 per fruit.
Despite its challenging aroma, diets supplemented with durian significantly hindered the rise in plasma lipids and the decrease in antioxidant activity. Inclusion of durian in known disease-preventing diets could be beneficial. Total polyphenols and antioxidant activity of durian measured by DPPH and ABTS assays was significantly higher than in snake fruit and mangosteen.
The taste is complex and acquired. The best way to describe durian’s flavor is as savory, creamy, and sweet. One attendee at a fruit tasting described the strong flavor as “garlic pudding”. Agricultural research shows that this controversial fruit may actually be one of the most nutritionally beneficial.
Salak (Snake Fruit) – The Scaly Southeast Asian Gem
Salak or snake fruit comes from Indonesia and gets its name due to its brown scaly skin. Under this distinctive skin lies flesh that resembles an apple when touched. Its taste combines sweetness with sourness although it can be quite tangy if consumed before ripened. Salak also provides antioxidants and various vitamins as part of its profile.
Snake fruit (Salacca edulis) was compared with durian and mangosteen in agricultural research, showing comparable dietary fibers, minerals, and trace metals. Research reveals that snake fruit contains substantial amounts of beneficial compounds, though not quite reaching the levels found in durian.
The texture is what makes salak truly unique among tropical fruits. Unlike most exotic fruits that are soft and juicy, salak offers a crisp, apple-like bite that’s completely unexpected. This makes it perfect for those who want to explore exotic flavors without venturing too far from familiar textures.
Longan – The Dragon’s Eye Fruit
Known as the “dragon’s eye” because of its appearance, Longan is native to Southern Asia. The translucent flesh resembles pearls and encloses a black seed that gives it its dragon’s eye nickname. Longans are the less aromatic siblings of lychees yet pack the same fruity punch. This translucent exotic fruit, translated to “dragon’s eye”, is very sweet, slightly tart and abundantly juicy.
They have been used in Chinese medicine for anti-ageing as well as to boost the sex drive. While they can be eaten raw, longan is dried and can be used in soups and desserts even in stews. This fruit is a crucial part of traditional Chinese medicine. People say this fruit has anti-aging properties and that it can even act as a natural aphrodisiac.
While it belongs to the family of lychee and rambutan fruits, Longan has its unique flavor – sweet with a subtle muskiness. In medicine, it is believed to offer various health benefits. Longan contains vitamin C, calcium, iron and phosphorus.
Pulasan – The Rare Rambutan Cousin
Rare outside of Southeast Asia, the pulasan fruit is typically eaten raw and tastes sweeter even than the lychee or rambutan. Like lychee, the outside rind is red, bumpy (or hairy as some say), and encases a sweet, white edible fruit inside. Pulasan is known to be chewier and even tastier than rambutan. Pulasan is much rarer than rambutan.
This exotic fruit is thought to help control blood sugar and its high fiber content is thought to assist with weight loss by making you feel full. No tools are necessary. Use your fingers to twist open the hairy skin that will separate fairly easily from the fruit. You can also eat the seed, which has a nutty flavor.
“Pulasan” in Malay means “twist” – and that’s exactly how you open it. It grows all over South East Asia. If you find this spiky fruit, you must buy it. The rarity of pulasan makes it a true treasure for exotic fruit enthusiasts.
Horned Melon (Kiwano) – The African Alien Fruit
Cucumis metuliferus is an annual climbing plant native to Africa, commonly known as kiwano, African horned cucumber, or jelly melon, characterized by its lobed leaves and fruit that is triangular or ellipsoid-cylindrical with a yellow to orange-red color when ripe. It has a yellow-orange skin and a lime green jelly-like flesh in the ripe stage. The availability is about three and a half months in two seasons.
The fruits are ellipsoids, approximately 12 cm long by 8 cm in diameter, and of a green color which during ripening changes to orange. The cortex is covered in conical protuberances, whose tips bear sharp prickles that can easily be removed when the fruit is ripe. Internally, the fruit is composed of a juicy green mucilaginous mass containing numerous smooth white seeds.
The fruit of this plant is edible, but it is used more for decoration as for food. The taste is surprisingly mild and cucumber-like, despite its dramatic appearance. This makes it perfect for those who want to impress guests with something visually stunning but not overwhelming in flavor.
Cherimoya – The Custard Apple
Cherimoya was one of the most popular new discoveries at fruit tastings. The fruit, native to South America is filled with a soft, custard-like white flesh that gives it the nickname “custard apple.” It tastes like a combination of banana, pineapple, and bubblegum. The texture is incredibly creamy and smooth, almost like eating natural ice cream.
Agricultural researchers have noted that cherimoya’s unique flavor profile makes it one of the most appealing exotic fruits for Western palates. Unlike some fruits that require an acquired taste, cherimoya offers familiar flavors in a completely new package. The custard-like texture creates an eating experience unlike any other fruit.
The fruit’s appearance is equally distinctive, with a green, scale-like exterior that looks almost prehistoric. When ripe, the flesh becomes incredibly soft, and the fruit should be eaten with a spoon. This makes it perfect for desserts or as a unique addition to smoothies and fruit salads.
Yangmei (Chinese Bayberry) – The Bumpy Red Treasure
The yangmei berry (also called “myrica rubra”) are small, about the size of a cherry, with a bumpy dark red exterior. Each bump is an individual stalk of flesh that is attached to the seed at the center of the berry. These little berries have been a popular fruit throughout China for centuries. Yangmei berries are almost impossible to find outside of Asia.
The reason for this is that the space between each individual stalk of flesh is a favored environment for a multitude of pests. In fact, it is common practice to soak the berries in saltwater in order to extract all the hidden creatures within. This unique challenge makes yangmei one of the most geographically restricted fruits on our list.
Despite the preparation required, those who have tried yangmei describe it as intensely flavorful, with a sweet-tart taste that’s almost wine-like. The texture is unlike any other fruit, with each little bump providing a burst of juice. The fruit’s rarity outside of Asia makes it a true treasure for adventurous fruit lovers.
Jabuticaba – The Trunk-Growing Brazilian Grape
These dark purple berries resemble a large grape and are extremely rare to find outside of Brazil. Difficult to cultivate with a very short shelf life, jabuticaba berries are unable to be transported and must be sought after in their native lands. If you happen to travel to Brazil, you should definitely give these exotic berries a try.
Not only are they sweet and tart, but they are also packed with antioxidants (polyphenols) and more. Jabuticaba berries are also said to contain anti-inflammatory properties. These unique qualities lead it to be highly popular in Brazil as it borders the line between medicine and food.
What makes jabuticaba truly extraordinary is that it grows directly on the trunk of the tree, not on branches like most fruits. This bizarre growing pattern, combined with its grape-like appearance, creates one of nature’s most unusual sights. The fruit must be eaten fresh, as it spoils within days of picking, making it impossible to export.
The world of rare fruits continues to surprise even the most experienced agricultural scientists. Exotic fruit consumption and processing is increasing worldwide due to the improvement in preservation techniques, transportation, marketing systems and consumer awareness of health benefits. These twelve fruits represent just the beginning of nature’s incredible diversity.
Each fruit offers its own unique combination of flavors, textures, and health benefits that challenge our understanding of what food can be. From dragon fruit’s night-blooming origins to jabuticaba’s trunk-growing habits, these rare treasures remind us that there’s still so much left to discover in our world.
What surprises you most about these exotic fruits? Have you ever encountered any of them in your travels?
