Unusual Fruits too Delicious to Ignore

You may already know that fruits are good for you. They provide a significant source of beta carotene, Vitamin C, fiber, and folate, among other vitamins and are low in calories and fat. All of this spells good news for your health. But why should you only eat the standard fruits such as apples, oranges, and bananas when you can treat yourself to the world of exotic and unusual fruits such as lychee and the cactus pear? These exotic fruits will add variety to your diet and supply you with a wealth of vitamins and minerals. Here are some unusual fruits to consider putting on your kitchen table:

Lychee

This fruit from China is surrounded by a rough, bumpy skin, which hides the deliciously sweet flesh that awaits inside. You can peel away the outer skin and eat it as is or add it to fruit salads. It tastes delicious when teamed with a bowl of vanilla ice cream or yogurt, or made into sweet tasting jellies. Lychee is also thought to have medicinal properties in that it helps to ease a cough. If you can't find this fruit in the produce section of your supermarket, its available canned at oriental food markets.

Passion Fruit

This dark purple fruit has some resemblance to a plum externally, but has a distinct tropical flavor when the juicy flesh is eaten. To eat this delicious fruit, cut it in half and eat the sweet flesh with a spoon. This is another exotic fruit that tastes great when paired with ice cream or fresh yogurt. It can form the basis for a variety of dessert dishes including passion fruit tarts, pies, cheesecake, and more.

Cherimoya

This South American fruit has the rough exterior of an artichoke but the inside fruit is sweet with a custard-like texture. The black seeds should be discarded as they are inedible. This unusual fruit tastes delicious as part of a fruit salad and can be used as the primary ingredient in sauces. Cherimoya is also delicious served as a sorbet or ice cream or even a smoothie.

Cactus Pear

The thick skin of this exotic fruit covers a light and refreshing pulp that has a taste similar to watermelon. It can be enjoyed by scooping the fruit out and eating it as is or combined with yogurt or ice cream. It can also form the flavoring for a variety of dessert offerings. Cactus pear makes a delicious jelly or marmalade to serve on hot biscuits or croissants.

Star Fruit

Unlike the other unusual fruits, star fruit has a somewhat bittersweet flavor. It's best used as a component of a tropical salad combined with other sweeter fruits. This fruit is also popular as an attractive garnish.

The next time you're at your local supermarket, titillate your taste buds a bit by trying some of these unusual fruits. They can provide a welcome change from your standard fruit options.