The top 5 exotic fruits to try when approaching veganism

Veganism is a great way to make a healthy change to your life. But it can be hard to know what new foods to try to make your switch to veganism as fun and engaging as possible. When on your next yacht charter why not try some underappreciated tropical fruits from around the world. The Gourmet Deliveries team is here to support you on your plant-based endeavors, so we have put together a list of the top 5 tastiest exotic fruits available, to encourage readers to branch out and try something new.

RAMBUTAN FRUIT

The Rambutan fruit is native to Southeast Asia, named after the Malaysian word for “hair” due to the trademark red and green “hairs” that cover its shell. On the inside, this exotic fruit is a soft white sphere, almost identical to the lychee fruit (a close relative) with a taste that has been described as sweet & creamy. As well as promoting healthy digestion, the rambutan fruit is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, which can aid weight loss and fight infection. This means this exotic fruit is both great tasting, and good for you! The ripeness of the fruit can be discerned by the redness of the hairs on its shell: the redder they are, the riper the fruit within. There is also a seed in the middle that should be either removed before eating or spat out after the rest of the fruit has been consumed. Due to its sweetness, the rambutan fruit can be eaten by itself or with ice creams, puddings, cocktails, or even salads.

DRAGON FRUIT

While dragon fruit is native to southern Mexico and Central America (grown on the hylocereus cactus, AKA the Honolulu queen), a recent spike in popularity has led to the fruit being grown in regions all over the world. Its vibrant red-ish pink hue, coupled with green spikes that resemble a dragon’s scales lead to its common name. However, dragon fruit is also sometimes referred to as pitaya, and strawberry pear. Although the red dragon fruit is the most commonly found, you may also stumble across a yellow dragon fruit which boasts a yellow skin but is identical in all other ways. The interior flesh of a dragon fruit is white, specilled with little black seeds. However, there is a variation that has a pink interior flesh. Dragon Fruits are often described as tasting like a mix between a kiwi and a pear, and as well as providing antioxidants, they’re also a good source of iron, magnesium, and fibre.

KIWANO (Horned Melon)

Native to Central and South America, the kiwano (also known as the horned melon) is known by a variety of names, including jelly melon, hedged gourd, African cucumber, English tomato, and melano. However, what truly stands out about this fruit is its unique appearance: it has thick, bright orange skin, covered in small spikes or horns. On the inside, the horned melon’s fruit is lime-green or yellow and gelatinous. This gelatinous flesh contains edible seeds, and the fruit itself is said to taste mild and sweet, similar to the cucumber (to which it’s related). If the fruit is very ripe, it has also been described as tasting faintly of banana. The most common and simple method of consumption is to simply cut the fruit open and scoop out the flesh from the inside. As well as being a unique and refreshing fruit, the horned melon is also said to have a vast array of health benefits from being rich in nutrients and antioxidants to the promotion of healthy red blood cell production, blood sugar control, proper hydration, and potentially even improving your mood.

DURIAN

The durian fruit is largely found in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, but grows in tropical regions all over the world. One of the durian’s trademark traits is the incredibly pungent smell. It’s said to smell like garlic, cheese, and almonds all at the same time. The fruit has a hard, spiky green shell that protects the soft yellow flesh that can be found on the inside, as well as large seeds that can be eaten but do require cooking. Despite its world-famous smell, those who enjoy the durian describe its taste as sweet and custardy with hints of caramel and vanilla flavours. Additionally, the durian is actually packed with health benifits thanks to its nutrient-rich composition, including the prevention of heart disease, fighting off infections, and lowering blood sugar. Durian can be eaten as a side dish, turned into juice or soup, or eaten with candy and ice cream.

CHERIMOYA AKA Custard Apple

The cherimoya, also known as the “custard apple” is a fruit that’s widely believed to have originated from the Andes mountains in South America. However, today it’s grown in a variety of tropical areas with high altitudes. Popular 19th-century American writer Mark Twain once referred to this fruit as “the most delicious fruit known to man”. The fruit is green and conical, with the flesh on the inside being described as sweet and creamy, similar to custard, hence the informal name “custard apple”. While Cherimoya itself is rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, with health benefits such as supporting immunity, reducing inflammation, and promoting eye and heart health, it should be noted that they contain annonacin, a toxin that can affect your brain and nervous system. Annonacin can be found all over the fruit but is largely concentrated in the skin and seeds. With this in mind, it’s important to limit your exposure to this toxin by being sure to remove the seeds and skin before consumption.

These are just a few of the exotic and tasty fruits that you can aim to enjoy this year. At Gourmet Deliveries we are adept at procuring rare and exotic fruit for our customers, so if you’re interested in learning more about exotic fruit or trying some of the ones on this list, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us via our website, or contact us directly over the phone to discuss your requirements.

French food is the kind of luxury that should be enjoyed to the fullest. So, keep this in mind when choosing a company to purchase your yacht provisions from. The quality of the ingredients you choose to make these meals is as important as the meal choices themselves!