全球十大“詭異”水果
知識窗
Ackee·西非荔枝果
The ackee is sometimes called a “vegetable brain” because only the inner, brain-shaped, yellowish arils (假種皮) are edible. Native to tropical West Africa, this fruit has been imported and cultivated in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba. And, it’s incorporated into some Caribbean cuisine.
Cherimoya·番荔枝
Mark Twain once referred to the cherimoya as “the most delicious fruit known to men.” Although its flavor is often likened to that of a cross between a banana and a pineapple, the flesh of this exotic fruit has also been described as similar to commercial bubblegum. Native to the Andes, cherimoyas have been introduced in Spain, Italy and California, among other places.
Rambutan·紅毛丹
Native to the Malay Archipelago (群島), the name of this fruit is derived from the Malay word for “hairy”. Its taste is described as sweet and sour, much like a grape.
Monstera deliciosa·蓬萊蕉
Native to the rain forests of Central America, monstera deliciosa looks more like an ear of corn than a fruit. To get to its pineapple-like flesh, the scaly exterior must be flaked off and delicately prepared. Interestingly, this fruit takes as long as a year to ripen and to be safe enough to eat — it can be toxic if unripe.
Physalis·燈籠果
This fruit has a mild, refreshing acidity(酸性) similar to the tomato. Native to the Americas, they are typically imported from South America.