If asked about Tropical fruit most of us normally think of Mangoes but there are so many other varieties and delicious ones at that.  And what’s even better, you can find most of them in your local supermarket.  Here’s a quick list to get you started:

Star Fruit – as its name denotes, it is in the shape of a star and is a yellowy green colour.  Grown in the regions of   it is lovely served on its own

Custard Apple – as it suggests, this is a green dimply style fruit that when cut open contain large seeds and a soft custardy style centre, beautiful!

Loquats - sometimes known as Medlars by the local market stall holders and what we know as Yeni Dunya, wash and eat as it is or peel the skin first.

Kumquats – small sweet fruit with an orange appearance and perfect cooked with Chicken, Pork or Fish.

Papaya – a popular fruit choice for drying, the papaya is not too sweet and tastes great in a salad.

Passion fruit – these fruits are ripe when the skin on the outside is all wrinkly.  They are small and round with a reddish/purply colour on the outside and a tangy, orange, seedy flesh within.  Perfect with ice cream and on its own.

Physallis – I love these little darlings.  They are small, round and shiny orange wrapped in crispy green leaves.  Remove the leaves and eat the fruit whole.  Great as a garnish and very appealing to the eye.

Lychees – Prickly red skin with a fleshy white fruit within, these are a classic Chinese favourite just don’t eat the large brown stone within.

Guava – widely grown in the tropics and with a distinctive savoury fresh aroma, it is higher in vitamin c than any other citrus fruit.  Perfect as a jam due to its high content of pectin. 

Mango – mangoes are native to South East Asia and have been grown there for over 4000 years.  They the quintessential tropical fruit and taste wonderful pureed in a smoothie.

Durian – considered is a delicacy throughout South East Asia, this fruit stinks I’m sorry to say but if you endure the smell then the fruit inside is divine.