Exotic Fruits of Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic is just a heavenly place for fruit lovers: all though-out the year you can enjoy a wide variety of exotic fruits. Some you may or may not be familiar with
“Frutera” is the preferred place to buy fruits, not only do you get more for your dollar, but the fruits are also fresher there. Also, the frutera has some fruits that you may not find at the grocery stores. It seems like I’m always being introduced to a new fruit here in Dominican Republic, and that I’m open to trying out! Based off the expectations we all have of fruits, who isn’t open to trying new fruits. They grow naturally from plants, packed with great health benefits, I don’t think there’s ever been a fruit that’s not good for you, fruits make good natural juices or desserts. As for “exotic fruits” it just means what doesn't grow in your country. What is exotic to me as a North American foreigner, would be considered just some fruit to locals here in Dominican Republic. Therefore, not only does it sound cooler, but I’m also enjoying exotic fruits regularly.
Passion fruit aka “Chinola” is the fruit without question seems to be one of the favorites in the DR. Natural juices are the most preferred here over soda or other drinks. I was drinking this drink before I even knew what it was. Just thought it was a tasty orange color fruit punch. It looks like an orange on the outside, but the inside doesn't look appetizing in my opinion, but it's the inside minus the black seeds that’s used to make the juice. Eating the passion fruit unripped can cause cyanide poisoning in high amounts, effects of coma, rapid collapse, and much more severe outcomes. Pretty much, that’s why nobody eats Passion fruit in Dominican Republic. It's mainly served as a juice, simple to make to. Just by removing the seeds and adding water and a little bit of sugar. Here they use passion fruit for so many recipes, from popsicles to ice cream, candies to all different types of desserts. One dessert we got recently is called “delicia de chinola”. This snack is for those true passion fruit lovers.
Mamey Sapote, known in the Dominican as Zapote. When I first saw this fruit, it was in a tree at the farm in Rancho Arriba that we visited. I had no idea what it was, and I’ve never heard of it. That moment looking up at Zapote in the tree, it came to me that my time here will be aquatinted with a world of tropical exotic fruits. Unlike passion fruit, Mamey Sapote is nothing attractive on the outside, but the inside it's a beauty. Also, Sapote can be eaten without worry lol. There’s Sapote that grows in pretty much every continent except North America, excluding Mexico. The Zapote in Dominican Republic is different than the rest and spelled differently. Climate is always a factor of why all fruits will have their own unique taste from another fruit grown in a different country or island. Dominican Zapote is beige on the outside and soft when ripped. When you cut it open the color is pretty, a fire reddish that screams tropical. It has a big black seed or two in the center of the fruit, that goes to waste. Zapote makes an amazing smoothie. Easy to make, just blend it up, add water, condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar. Then enjoy a piece of the Caribbean.
Mamón is not to be confused with sour sop or sweet sop it's a fruit that is season in the spring. I've only seen it a few times. My lady brought it home one day with a big smile on her face. This is a rare fruit, so the excitement made sense. It looks like a fruit that would make a gardener proud. This fruit can be made into juice the locals call “champola”. Palm size, Mamón is golden brown on the outside and creamy and white on the inside with large seeds covered with fruit. You eat the fruit and throw away the seeds.
Cereza Dominicana also acerola in English, as well as, Barbados cherry, acerola cherry, and West Indian cherry, is a tropical fruit-bearing tree native to the Americas, especially beloved in the Caribbean, particularly Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. I just call it the Dominican cherry lol. I saw this planted and picked from the tree in the countryside of the island. It’s easy to grow and you can find it growing in many yards when passing by houses in the Dominican Republic. Pick it off the tree and enjoy, you can eat it green or wait until it gets more red. My favorite way is to blend the cherries into a juice pour into a tall glass with ice, sit on the balcony and take in the scenery.
Pomegranate aka Granada as it’s called by the locals. I’ve seen pomegranate before but never tried it, not sure why either. This fruit is enjoyed around the world in many ways from syrup to soup. Grown in many backyards here in Dominican Republic, in fact a few of my neighbors grow the fruit in their yards. Pomegranate is a super food for its health benefits. With 3 times the antioxidants than green tea. Pomegranates can protect your heart in such ways as lowering blood pressure as well as blood sugar levels. First time I’ve ever tried it was here in the where it came straight from the farm. As for majority of the fruits you buy here in Dominican Republic they are locally grown, ripe and ready to eat right away, no wait period needed in most cases.
limoncillo also known as Spanish lime and plenty of other names. This fruit is packed with benefits. It’s rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, antioxidants, supporting immune health and digestion. Not much fruit to these after you peel the skin, so you're going to be eating quite a few. We bought these a few times, not from the fruit store either. Many fruits are also sold from street vendors. On a truck or a barrel, they would have fruits selling that have come straight from the farm. It’s random, you're outside walking and then see someone selling fruits, not knowing what they have in stock. Then decide on which fruit you'd like to buy. That’s how it happens here all the time. We just go out for whatever reason it may be, could be paying a bill, walking in the park, outside grabbing a bite. While walking to the destination and passing by a street vendor selling fruits, and that's how it all happens. Dominican Republic is very lively country, so people are outside all the time in the daytime. Lots of selling and buying fruits with everyone in good spirits. Don't hesitate to grab what you desire, because these fruits sell off, and Dominicans don’t like look to sell fruits that are overripe. They want to sell you the best they got. You’ll even see when they are picking out the fruit for you in the batch, they will be selective on giving you the best ones. They take pride in their business and appreciate a loyal customer that appreciates them, and it shows.
Love it when a "extranjero" talk so good about mi isla bella! Thanks!