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6 Exotic Fruits You Absolutely Need to Try

November 2, 2024 by Donna Dizon Leave a Comment

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Did you know that there are 60,000 edible fruit varieties globally? Most people only eat a small fraction of any of these fruits. We don’t know about so many fruits, and only a few are easily available in your regular grocery store.

There are so many more fruits for you to try. The world is brimming with unique fruits that offer something just a little more enticing than your everyday apple or banana.

Here are six examples of exotic fruits every foodie should have on their bucket list to try someday.

Durian

Durian fruit with cut in half on wooden table.
Image Credit:Photoongraphy/Shutterstock.

Known as the “king of fruits” in Southeast Asia, durian is famous for its strong odor and creamy texture. While its smell might be off-putting to some, its rich, custardy flesh is a delicacy worth experiencing. The vanilla and caramel notes give it a custardy, luxurious flavor that’s exceptionally delicious—if your Western palate can handle the intense aroma durian gives off, that is!

Rambutan

Fresh and ripe rambutan sweet tropical fruit peeled rambutan with leaves, Rambutan fruit on basket and wooden background harvest from the garden.
Image Credit: Bigc Studio/Shutterstock.

This hairy fruit from Malaysia is not only intriguing to look at but also deliciously sweet. Beneath its spiky exterior lies juicy, translucent flesh that tastes like a combination of lychee and grapes. And don’t let the intense clothing fool you: rambutan is a very versatile fruit, lending itself well to salads just as much as salsa! It’s basically a perfect replacement for grapes or lychees in other recipes, too, like cocktails.

Dragonfruit

dragon fruit slice and cut half on white plate with pitahaya background , fresh red purple dragon fruit tropical in the asian thailand healthy fruit concept.
Image Credit: Bigc Studio/Shutterstock.

This is probably a fruit you’ve at least heard of, even if you haven’t seen it in person. With its vibrant pink skin and speckled flesh, dragon fruit is as visually stunning as it is tasty. It’s mildly sweet and has a texture similar to kiwi. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants, making it a healthy choice for your next smoothie. Many drinks or candies are dragonfruit flavored, but we recommend trying the fresh stuff if you ever see it in a supermarket!

Jackfruit

Ripe jackfruit peeled tropical fruit fresh from jackfruit tree, jackfruit on white plate with leaf on wooden background.
Image Credit: Bigc Studio/Shutterstock.

If you’ve ever eaten vegetarian or vegan dishes, you might have already come across this massive fruit before. That’s usually young jackfruit, cultivated for its firm flesh and texture that hearkens back to a pulled meat like pork. Ripe jackfruit, however, is much more similar to sweeter fruits like pineapple. Both are fantastic and worth a try if you ever come across one! You’re much more likely to find young jackfruit canned, and we highly recommend treating it like you would a savory pulled meat to see what it’s like for yourself.

Mangosteen

Fresh Mangosteen in bamboo basket and on old wood baclground. Mangosteen has been known as The Queen of Fruits, asia fruits concept.
Image Credit: kwanchai.c/Shutterstock.

If durian is the king of fruits, then mangosteen is undoubtedly the queen! Mangosteen boasts a thick, purple rind and juicy, tangy-sweet segments inside. It’s a tropical delight that can add a touch of elegance to your fruit bowl. It’s also rich in antioxidants and matches well with other tropical fruits like mango or papaya. But one of the best reasons to have mangosteen is that it’s filled to the brim with vitamins and antioxidants, making it the perfect pick for your morning smoothie.

Longan

fresh longans in plate on wooden background.
Image Credit: kungfu01/Shutterstock.

Longan, also known as “dragon’s eye” because of its translucent, white flesh and dark seed, is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. They’re sweet and juicy, making them a phenomenal addition to salads or smoothies like many of the other fruits on this list. You can find longan both fresh and dried, and either are an excellent, high-fiber snack packed with natural sugars.

20 Food to Stockpile (For the Best Chance of Survival)

Alarmed female wears medical mask against coronavirus while grocery shopping in supermarket or store.
Image Credit: Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock.

A well-stocked pantry can provide peace of mind and empower you to handle any situation. Whether it’s a natural disaster, economic instability, or simply unexpected guests, having a stash of versatile essential foods can make all the difference.

Here’s a list of 20 of the best foods to stockpile, ensuring you’re ready for whatever comes your way.

20 Food to Stockpile (For the Best Chance of Survival)

8 Fruits to Avoid if You Have Diabetes

Horizontal shot of happy attractive female with broad smile, holds two pineapples, enjoys rest in tropical villa, eats exotic fruits or going to make cocktail.
Image Credit: Cast Of Thousands/Shutterstock.

Managing diabetes doesn’t have to be challenging. Eliminating these fruits from your diet can help you better control your blood sugar levels and manage diabetes. Consume other diabetic-friendly fruits like raspberries, blackberries, avocados, green apples, and kiwis to get essential minerals and vitamins.

Here are fruits you need to avoid if you have diabetes.

8 Fruits to Avoid if You Have Diabetes
 

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