Sunday, January 17, 2010

Mystery Fruit - 4

I have to say, I first tasted this fruit about 12 years ago, and was instantly hooked on it..





Unfortunately they are a rare breed, and I only got to sample them a couple of times back then.. however, fortunately, I am now in a situation with a relative abundance of them, and they are most surely one of my current favourite fruits.. probably among my top 5, along with durian, chempadek, white sapote and abiu.. but i'm sure if i think about it, i've probably got way more than 5 fruits in my top 5..

the mind boggles..

Anyhows, any guesses what it's called?



17 comments:

Debbie said...

I have absolutely no idea! I've never seen anything like it. I hope you'll tell us how you eat it and what it tastes like. :)

Debbie

Unknown said...

Brain fruit

What's it taste like?

Anne said...

looks like an Ackee, Mango ♥
Sounds like a great place you are staying at.
Enjoy the fruit and sunshine ♥
Love and Peaches XX.

Fruitarian Mango said...

Hi all.. nope, not brain fruit.. though it certainly has a little of that appearance..

yes, anne, correct again.. it's an akee..

the reason why they are so rare? well, commercially, i think it unlikely you'll ever find anyone selling them, as there are risks involved.. If you eat them underripe, they are said to be deadly poisonous, and if you eat them overripe, they are also supposedly poisonous, although not quite as toxically so as when underripe..

so eat with caution, and they are heavenly.. vaguely reminiscent of those little triangular cream cheeses I once upon a time in another life ate..

If ever you get a chance to feast upon their ripe lusciousness, there would surely be no regrets..

peace,
mango.

Frederic said...

hi Mango,

Wow what a surprising fruit! I would not take a chance to eat them if they can be poisonous but I know that you like to live dangerously:). Glad that you found a place that you love. Maybe 1 day I will go there. Right now I am fighting with tooth erosion. 2 of my teeth are cracking because of probably too much acidity coming from too many citrus fruits and overeating cold watermelon. I am mouth-washing with organic aloe Vera. So we will see if my dental condition improves. Take care,
Fred.

durianrider said...

nice photos mate!

tinah said...

Lovely! It delights me to see these beautiful fruits!! :) Someday I will share in the fun of this fruit!

Roberto said...

hey mango
I'd like to talk to you about fruitarianism
can you mail me?
roberto.d.garcia@gmail.com

thanks
all the best,
roberto

shan said...

it's ackee growing up in jamaica it's a breakfast thing only had it cooked

Mr. Zed said...

"the reason why they are so rare? well, commercially, i think it unlikely you'll ever find anyone selling them, as there are risks involved.. If you eat them underripe, they are said to be deadly poisonous, and if you eat them overripe, they are also supposedly poisonous, although not quite as toxically so as when underripe.."

I don't know if I believe a fruit can be poisonous. Are you sure about this?

Think about it, a poisonous fruit, seems like a contradiction in terms doesn't it?

Rashida Blake said...

Ackee! They are very common in Jamaica, in fact the Jamaican national dish is Ackee and Saltfish. You can find it in some other Caribbean countries as well, some of the other Caribbean countries call them guinep. May be eaten raw or cooked, however either way ensure that pod opens naturally on its own, before consuming the fruit, to ensure you are protected from the poisonous gas protecting the fruit. I am glad you enjoy it. :)

Gina Visser said...

ackee is a fruit?? i always thought it was part of the fungal family. we used to eat ackee and salt fish as kids all the time. i'm personally not a fan :P

llana said...

Hi Mango,

Not sure where to post this. I am trying to go back to fruitarianism. I wanted to know if it will cure me of PTSD or reduce it extremely anyway?

thanks

llana

Fruitarian Mango said...

hi all, thanks for all the comments on akee!! a beautifully cheesy savoury fruit that is most definitely in my top 5, at least, Kveta and I simply find we can't get enough of the stuff, and are still eating it daily!!

Fred, there is absolutely no danger involved in eating them if you know to recognise them (not difficult!) when they are ready..

hope your dental condition has improved some!

durianrider,
yes.. one of them's a little blurry though.. akee's not a fruit for you guys.. too fatty..

tinah, hope you get to try them sometime too!!

roberto, please feel free to communicate via my blog if you wish.. i am trying to minimise internet time at the moment.. so replying may well take we a while..

shortmocho, cooked? quelle sacrilage! you should try it raw sometime..

Mr.Zed, actually, i think the vast majority of fruits are poisonous to humans.. we just tend to focus on the ones that aren't 'sall.. they may be poisonous for some animal species, but highly desirable for other ones..

rawshida.. yes.. definitely enjoying it.. they are extremely moreish!

giviwuzthere, no definitely they are fruit.. with a beautiful black seed, and growing on trees.. not fungal unless left to rot..

llana, a cleaner diet will surely ultimately help us find life less stressful, so yes, i personally believe that fruitarianism would aid you.. however, breathing deeply, some yoga exercises and relaxation techniques undertaken regularly would surely also benefit you greatly..

peace,
mango.

amy said...

What is it!!! It looks so ... succulent. I want some :)

Profit From My Closet said...

I love Ackee. My family is from Jamaica so we grew up eating ackee with saltfish in abundance :) They sell it in cans as well but totally doesn't taste as good.

Anonymous said...

I knew what it was :D
I lurve ackee!