From ratapple to bael to breadfruit, our selection of weird fruits will make you salivate (or not). Check out the strangest fruits in the public domain.
Bael
We were surprised to discover a fruit that shares the same name as a demon! Aegle marmelos, commonly known as bael, is a species of tree native to India and Southeast Asia. Bael (the demon) is described in numerous ancient grimoires (book of spells) as a horse-faced king who may appear as a cat, toad, man or in some combination of these forms, and who rules over legions of lesser demons.
Bael (the fruit tree) is rather not-evil, producing a roundish fruit about the size of a large grapefruit or pomelo with a thick rind that must be cracked with a hammer or machete. The pulp is described as smelling of roses. The taste is said to resemble jam or marmalade, being both sweet and pleasant, yet tangy.
Baobab
Adansonia, known as baobab is the fruit of a tree native to Madagascar, mainland Africa and Australia. The fruit, also known as “monkey fruit”, starts out green and fuzzy looking but over time becomes smooth and dried out. In fact, it is the only fruit that dries out while still naturally attached on the branch. The exterior shell of the fruit is extremely hard and must be cracked with a hammer. Inside, the fruit has a chalk-like consistency and is said to taste like yogurt or custard with a citrus flavor.
Baobab fruit, which is generally consumed in a powdered form, is said to have many positive health benefits. The fruit is especially rich in vitamin C. It also may be useful to consume for weight loss. The fruit is high in fiber, and promotes feelings of fullness.
Breadfruit
Breadfruit grows throughout the tropics, from Southeast Asia to Hawaii. It is a fruit with plenty of culinary possibilities. When it’s ripe it becomes very sweet, but it is more commonly cooked like a vegetable. It’s sometimes referred to as the tree potato, because of its potato-like consistency and taste when cooked. Supposedly when cooked it might also taste a bit like freshly baked bread.
Breadfruit is one of the highest-yielding food plants. A single breadfruit tree may produce 200 or more grapefruit sized fruits per season. Most cultivars have seedless fruit, and are incapable of naturally spreading far distances. Breadfruit have been carefully propagated by humans since prehistoric times.
Durian
Durian is a fruit that originates from Southeast Asia. It is known for its thorn covered rind, large size, and most of all, for its strong odor. For many people, especially from southeast Asia, the durian is the “king of fruits”.
However, the durian is something of an acquired taste (and smell). Some people find the smell pleasant. Others describe it as raw sewage or turpentine. As the smell tends to linger for days, it is commonly banned in hotel rooms, elevators and public transportation. The flavor of durian is as difficult to pinpoint as its smell, and it varies significantly across cultivars. Durian flesh has a buttery consistency, and has been described as cheesecake-like, and sweet and custardy. It’s also described as tasting like vanilla and caramel.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen is a plant native to Southeast Asia with a long history of human cultivation. In fact, the plant is so entwined with human history that it is unknown from where exactly it first originated.
The fruit is encased in a thick (and rather beautiful) inedible reddish-purple rind. The tender white flesh inside has been described as delicious tasting, with a flavor that combines peach, lychee, strawberry and pineapple.
Ratapple
Morisonia americana, known more commonly as ratapple, is a fruit with an interesting name. It is also called “jumbie sapodilla” and “dog sapodilla”. The taste of the fruit is considered undesirable by humans, supposedly having an unpleasant peppery flavor. However it is enjoyed by animals (and possibly demons, since a jumbie is a Caribbean spirit or demon).
It grows in Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean. The fruit contains a whitish, aromatic pulp and plenty of seeds. It’s commonly planted as an ornamental plant.
Soursop
Annona muricata, known as soursop or graviola, is a fruit native to the Caribbean and tropical regions of the Americas. It has been introduced into tropical and subtropical areas the world over.
The fruit produces large green, prickly fruits. The flesh is aromatic, similar to pineapple, and juicy, acidic and whitish. The fruit has a flavor somewhere between apple and strawberry with the addition of sour citrus, alongside a creamy banana-like texture.
Soursop has been promoted as useful toward cancer treatment, but this claim is not supported by any clinical evidence.
Surinam Cherry
Eugenia uniflora, known as Suriname cherry, Brazilian cherry or Cayenne cherry is a plant native to South America’s east coast. It’s often used as an ornamental hedge, but it also produces edible fruit.
The fruit darkens and sweetens as it ripens. The flavor is described as sweet-tart and acidic with some earth bitter notes similar to green bell pepper. Surinam cherries are often used in the creation of jams and jellies.
