Most people travel to see attractions and destinations around the world. Some people love exploring different cultures, while others like trying new cuisines. However, not many people see traveling as an opportunity to explore various fruits. There are several rare fruits in the world that are available in selected countries only.
You must’ve read or heard about a fruit and thought, “I’ve never seen this fruit in my life.” Many such fruits exist, and learning about them is great. You get to expand your knowledge, and if you come across those fruits in the future, you’ll know what you are eating.
That said, let’s talk about the ten rarest (and tastiest) fruits in the world.
Table of Contents
Physalis or Golden Berries
Physalis or Golder Berries look like golden-orange tomatoes from the outside. It’s a rare fruit related to tomatoes that grow in South America, most commonly Peru. Nowadays, many bars and clubs in the US have also started to add physalis in cocktails. The fruit is smaller and sweeter than tomato, though it has some sweetness to it. Physalis also has myriad medicinal properties as it’s rich in Iron, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C. Regularly eating this fruit can stimulate your immune system.
Feijoa or Pineapple Guava
Everyone knows about guava and pineapple, two delicious fruits available almost worldwide. However, have you heard of pineapple guava, also known as feijoa? Though this fruit is a natural occurrence, it most likely came into existence because of cross-pollination between a papaya and guava plant.
The plant has the properties of both guava and pineapple. It is like guava from the outside but slightly bigger. The interior is soft like papaya but white like guava. You can find this fruit if you visit South Americas, mainly Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
Rare Fruits in the World: Cherimoya
Also known as custard apple, cherimoya is a sweet fruit native to the Andes mountains between Chile and Argentina. It has a hard outer crust and white, soft, and custard-like flesh inside. The flesh is sweet and has a pleasant aroma. Many restaurants in South America use cherimoya in salads and ice cream tops.
The fruit also has substantial health benefits. It’s rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also helps balance blood pressure and heart rate.
Dragon Fruit or White Pitaya
Dragon fruit or white pitaya is native to Mexico but is now available in most parts of America and Asia. Not many people know why it’s known as dragon fruit. One theory suggests that it has an oval shape with thorn-like structures, which look like a dragon’s egg.
Despite its dramatic look and name, dragon fruit tastes subtle, like kiwifruit. Though the fruit is rare, many supermarkets have started selling it. If you live in South America, the USA, or Asia, you can find it after some digging.
Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a large Southeast Asian fruit. It can be as large as 80 lbs. When consumed raw, it gives a banana/apple flavor. When cooked like a vegetable, it tastes like white meat. For that reason, it’s becoming a popular meat substitute among vegans and vegetarians. Some restaurants in the US sell jackfruit tacos.
You can easily find this fruit in supermarkets in Southeast Asia. Some markets in the US also sell it, but you’ll need to do some research.
Cupuacu
Native to the wild Amazon rainforest, Cupuacu is a wild fruit that can grow up to 8 inches in length and 2 kg in weight. It has a thick shell similar to coconut, but the soft pulp inside is incredibly tasty. It tastes like chocolate.
The pulp is also very fragrant and has many health benefits. It’s rich in several vitamins and minerals. Regularly eating cupuacu strengthens your immune system and alleviates the risk of heart disease. The pulp contains many antioxidants and also promotes hormone balance.
Rare Fruits in the World: Ackee
Ackee is a rare, strange, and intimidating fruit native to Western Africa. It has a brain-like shape. The inside is white/yellow pulp with two large black seeds. Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and is very popular there.
Many African people put ackee in vegetable dishes, though you can eat it in raw form too. The fruit is very healthy and free of any unwanted fatty acids or cholesterol. Sadly, ackee’s seeds contain hypoglycin, a poisonous chemical. Thus, the US government has banned it in the country.
Rambutan
One of the weirdest-looking fruits on the list is rambutan, a fruit native to Southeast Asia. The fruit has a reddish-pink outer shell with green-pink grass-like hairs. It looks like a poisonous sea creature, but it’s completely edible. The interior of the fruit is full of edible white flesh, which tastes similar to grapes.
The fruit is rich in protein and carbohydrates, providing instant refreshment. It also has copper, which boosts the production of white blood cells and increases your body’s immunity.
Rare Fruits in the World: African Horned Cucumber
African horned cucumber is one of the oldest, rarest, and most unique-looking fruits in the world. Like dragon fruit, the African horned cucumber looks like a dragon’s egg. From the inside, it looks like a regular cucumber with slightly larger seeds. The taste is like a sour cucumber, and many people say it tastes like a mix between cucumber and lemon. It has many health benefits too.
Durian
Durian is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It has a horn-covered shell and a light yellowish pulp. It tastes sweet due to the presence of simple sugars. The fruit is free of cholesterol and fatty acids. Many restaurants in South Asia use it for the preparation of shakes, sweets, and ice creams. However, the fruit has a lot of chemicals, which make it smell awful.
Conclusion: Rare Fruits in the World
Many rare fruits exist in the world, and it’s not possible to cover all of them in a single article. In all, there are unique fruits in every part of the world that most people don’t know about. When you travel, watch out for fruits native to that area and try them. However, ensure that you try new fruits at renowned restaurants only.
