Few exotic fruits: lovely to look; yummy to eat

Summers are knocking at our door; and with them comes the urge to have juicy, thirst-quenching foods. For those hot summers when you need something refreshing, here is a list of few exotic fruits which are exquisite to look at, lip-smacking, and are nutritious as well.

Rambutan: grown mainly in south-east Asia; it resembles Lychees when peeled. Its peel is red in colour and is covered with spines. The fruit is sweet and juicy with a decent dose of vitamin C and iron. The Online Culinary School website reports that eating this fruit may help kill intestinal parasites and may also aid in lessening symptoms of diarrhea.

Passion Fruit: The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds. It is mainly added to mixed fruit juices to boost their flavor. A good source of vitamin C, A, fiber, and antioxidants.

Mangosteen: is called the “queen of fruits” in Thailand. The fruit is purple in colour from the outside with creamy interiors. Its taste is described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in vitamin C, B-complex, antioxidants, and immune system boosters. Scientists have even found mangosteen being beneficial in preventing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other chronic diseases.

Kumquats: are small edible fruits resembling oranges. They are often used in marmalades and jellies. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.

Dragon Fruit / pitaya: is a fruit of the cactus family. It has a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya. The fruit is eaten as such; also juices and wine can be obtained from it.

Kiwifruit: the national fruit of China has a refreshing green appearance. Kiwifruit is a rich source of vitamin C, E and K, and fiber. A medium-size kiwifruit provides about 46 calories,1 g protein, and 2.6 g dietary fiber.

Aren’t these fruits pretty enough to bring water into your mouths??

Image Courtesy: Kongsky and Piyato and naturepost from pixabay.