Everything we eat or drink is one of the greatest blessings bestowed upon us. The world is filled with natural edible items, each with a unique taste having its properties and benefits. Fruits are one of the categories of edible items which are enriched with flavors and benefits. Fruits are a great source of vitamins etc. therefore; they are also consumed as an alternative to the regular diet. They have both sweet and sour tastes depending on the fruit and can be consumed as it as well as in shakes, salads and other recipes. The most common fruits include mangos, bananas, apples, oranges, etc. However, some tropical fruits might not be available everywhere but in specific areas. Some of these fruits include mangosteen and many more.
· Mangosteen
Mangosteen, also recognized as purple mangosteen is an evergreen tree native to the area surrounding the Indian ocean. The tree has edible tropical fruit which has a unique taste and can be explained as being sweet, a bit fibrous, and also tangy at the same time. Mangosteen is not to be confused by mango as it is completely different to it in terms of appearance as well as flavors. The mangosteen tree usually grows in South-eastern Asia as well as tropical areas such as Puerto Rico or Columbia. The tree typically grows up to the height of 25m tall that usually starts from 6m.
The mangosteen fruit is deep purple from the outside and white on the inside. However, even the edible part does not have a very strong flavor and the nutritional value of the fruit itself is not very high. However, some parts of the plant have medicinal benefits thus, used for traditional medicine. Mangosteen is used to cure problems such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, and skin disorders. Another purpose of mangosteen is that it is used as a natural dye. The outer layer is used as a dye to color purple, dark brown, and shades of red.
· Kaki fruit
Kaki fruit also known as persimmon or Japanese apple is another tropical fruit. The kaki fruit trees are grown/ found in East Asia but also found in areas such as Southern Europe or brazil etc. the kaki fruit is orange in color but soft and fibrous and often resembles a tomato. The taste of the kaki fruit is slightly tangy but when fully ripe, the fruit is sweet and easy to swallow. The tree bearing the kaki fruit is usually 4.5 to 18m. The kaki fruit usually ripens in the late months, late after fall, and up until winters.
There are several nutritional benefits of kaki fruits. As compared to apples, kaki fruits have a greater level of dietary fibers and minerals. Furthermore, the kaki fruits are enriched with vitamin C and iron. Kaki fruit is usually eaten raw due to its easy chewing and swallowing capabilities. However, people also use kaki fruits for deserts in dried and cooked form. The flesh/ skin of the fruit is also edible therefore, often people consume it without even peeling it as well. the dried kaki fruit is also used widely in Korea, Taiwan, and Japanese in teas, salads, spices, etc.
· Prickly pear
The prickly pear is also known as the opuntia. It comes from the family of the cactus plant where the cactus is a flowering plant. The prickly pear is a pink tropical fruit generally found in Southwest United States and areas such as Mexico. The prickly pear plant usually grows up to 18ft high where the fruit itself is a bright pink fruit. Talking about the flavor of the fruit, the prickly pears are known to be sweet, and delicious. the fruit is juicy and very ripe which makes it suitable for beverages and drinks such as tropical cocktails.
There are various benefits of the fruit, as it is not only consumed as a fruit, but also used for medicinal purposes, and as a water source. Prickly pears are enriched with antioxidants, vitamin C, and compounds that are beneficial for illnesses such as diabetes, cholesterol, and digestive issues. These properties of the fruits allow them to be used as an oil extract, an element for supplements, and also used in cosmetic products. It can also be said that the prickly pears are beneficial for the immune system and help in inflammation or aging issues. The fruit is also known to provide important fatty acids and minerals and also contribute to being an excellent source of fiber.
These are just a few tropical fruits that are consumed in specific areas of the world as they can only be grown in suitable regions. Fruits are important sources of minerals, and vitamins thus; they are used widely in the regions they grow in.
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