Unusual Fruits to Try from Around the World

When it comes to fruits, few venture outside their comfort zone of the usual suspects – apples, oranges, strawberries, and grapes. But every once in a while, you may come across a selection of exotic fruits at the local supermarket. Are they begging to be eaten? Not exactly. 

Some, like the notorious durian, have a malodorous, fetid scent that’s been compared to dead rats and turpentine. Others appear disfigured, with scraggly outer casings that make them seem as if from an alien planet. But what’s life without a little risk? For the more adventurous, it can be an unusual experience, to say the least. 

Here are some unusual and rare fruits from around the world you should try. 

1. Dragon Fruit   

Dragon fruit is one of those fruits that is dramatic on the outside and subtle on the inside. For the spiky appearance alone, many will be lured in. Its mildly sweet flavor has made it a star in iced beverages, where it complements stronger notes of mixed berry. On its own, it ranks among the more ‘blander’ fruits, which may be up your alley if you don’t fancy a flavor explosion. Dragon fruit can be found at well stocked markets, Asian grocery stores, or you can grow your own in specialized planters. 

2. Buddha’s Hand 

Buddha’s hand citrus is an unusual variety that seems to have a medical condition, featuring elongated protuberances, but that’s what makes it endearing. Buddha’s hand is often left whole and used to adorn and freshen a room. Once cut, Buddha’s hand reveals a solid white pith, devoid of the juice-filled sacs common to citrus fruit. It is not intended to be eaten raw, but used as zest when grated. 

3. Ice Cream Banana Tree

In Western markets, the Cavendish banana dominates due to a virulent disease that decimated the Gros Michel variety. Ice Cream Bananas, popular in Thailand and Cambodia, are a sweeter, non-cloying version of regular bananas. Shorter than Cavendishes, Ice Cream Banana spread out like fingers in a visually appealing formation. They are ideal for fruit salads, smoothies, and other desserts. 

4. Durian  

To call durian a fruit is like saying getting the Spanish flu is the same as getting the common cold – it is the proverbial ‘bad apple’ that many don’t care for. On the surface, it does not appear much like a fruit: it is the size of a football, with a belligerent appearance. It also has a disgusting odor that can be smelled an hour away. Durian may have run afoul of most palates due to its notorious stench, but those who are brave enough to try it report a caramel-like taste with a custard texture. 

5.  Pink Variegated Eureka Lemon 

The Pink Variegated Eureka lemon hits several high notes: it features unique, pink-fleshed lemons with variegated rind, contains a sweeter flavor, and provides lemons in just one year. If you live where winters prohibit your Variegated Eureka Lemon to survive outdoors, simply put it in a rolling planter. 

6. Mulberry  

The mulberry tree is an enduring species that has captured the fancy of wanderers and artists – mystics, poets, writers, healers, and foraging birds. Mulberries are rarely offered at the grocery store due to their short shelf life, leading people to forage for it or grow their own. White mulberry, native to China, was once grown for silk spun for emperors. 

7. Kumquats   

Kumquats are one of those fruits that exist in a different realm of existence when it comes to taste, much like a spritz of raw oyster – controversial, but still less so than the pungent durian. Kumquats can be eaten whole, rind included. As it is recommended to choose a pesticide-free variety, growing them is a practical choice. First, wash thoroughly with water, then cut off ¼" from one end. Squeeze out some of the sour juice and seeds before eating.  

8. Miracle Fruit

Native to West Africa, this bright-red fruit is safe to eat – it is the compound in the fruit that is banned. While its fruit won’t grant you godly powers, it does have the ability to make sour food taste sweet by altering one’s perception. Specifically, it contains a glycoprotein (a type of protein attached to carbohydrates) known as miraculin, that is banned in the US. 

9. Prickly Pear

Prickly pear bears little resemblance to a pear and is actually the fruit of a cactus. As for its culinary uses, it is a little tricky to dissect – it can be worked into jams, prickly pear chutney, or cactus pear jelly, but few actually bother to make them. They can also be eaten raw as long as the spines are removed. Care to try it? 

10. Physalis (Golden Berries)

What is a cutesy orange color, with a confounding taste that is not always pleasant? You probably wouldn’t have answered with physalis, one of the most photogenic fruits, especially when seen dangling from branches with their papery husks still intact. Common to South America, it is related to a tomatillo. They are poisonous before ripe, so make sure that the paper casing is ripe before digesting. 

11. Mangosteen 

For those loathe to try durian, mangosteen is always a good option. Hailed as the “Queen of Fruits,” it tastes like a unique blend of peach, strawberry, lychee, and citrus. It has a uniform, compact shape, without any barbed spines, so no surprises there. To eat mangosteen, cut it around the equator with a knife.