Exotic Fruit in Costa Rica Archives

Pavones, Costa Rica – August 9th, 2012

By admin | August 9, 2012

August 8th, 2012 – Pavones, Costa Rica

Pavones – Rambutan or more commonly called Mamon Chino here in Costa Rica is one of the coolest looking fruits around. Harvested this time of year (just like the Mangosteen) you can see endless bags being sold by street vendors throughout the roads and towns of Costa Rica.

The exterior shell of the Rambutan is a soft, rubber-like texture with stiff like bristles. It’s oval shaped size ranges from 1-2 inches long. In order to access the fruit inside simply twist the rind and there you will see a juicy white translucent grape-like fruit around an inner seed. The taste is out of this world. Some people describe the taste as sweet and slightly mild in flavor, similar to a lychee or longan. It’s super juicy and addicting to eat!

You can get a one pound bag for around $2 here.

Rambutan - Exotic Fruit in Pavones, Costa Rica

Below are some health benefits of the Rambutan that we have taken from this website http://www.101healthyrecipes.com/health-benefits-of-fruit/rambutan-fruit-facts-health-benefits-101.php

Rambutan fruit is rich in sugar, mostly fructose and sucrose, but less calories, only around 60 in a fruit. Rambutan fruit is abundant with vitamin C and has potassium, iron, beta carotene or vitamin A, and a little calcium, magnesium zinc, sodium, niacin, fiber and protein.

The fruit has been employed in traditional medicine in Malaysia and Indonesia for hundreds of years as a treatment for diabetes, hypertension and various ailments. Besides the antioxidants obtained in its beta carotene and vitamin C, research workers at the Chiang Mai University in Thailand found that the rambutan pulp, seeds and skin have strong, plant based, antioxidants calledflavonoids. Certain kinds of flavonoids are believed to reduce cholesterol and possess anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory attributes.

One of many organic compounds contained in the skin is Gallic acid. This compound behaves like a free radical scavenger as it helps protect against oxidative damage in our body and is regarded as a strong aid in the battle against cancer. Due to its extensive antioxidant activity, compared to other exotic fruits like pomegranate, rambutan skin extract may be promoted as a drug or health supplement product.

The rambutan is abundant with vitamin C. 10-12 rambutans provide 75-90 mg ascorbic acid, more than double the amount recommended to take daily. An essential antioxidant, vitamin C prevents body cells from being damaged by free radicals and helps the absorption of iron.

The fruit also has small quantities of copper, necessary for the creation of white and red blood cells, and also manganese, which our body needs to produce and activate some enzymes.

A single serving of rambutan functions as an excellent iron source. The iron in what you eat promotes the correct amount of oxygen inside you, which help stop the dizziness and fatigue due to anemia, an illness caused by low iron.

Additionally, you will obtain 4.3% of the daily recommended intake ofphosphorus when you have a serving of rambutan. Phosphorus helps remove waste in your kidneys and is essential for the development, repair and maintenance of tissues and body cells. Rambutan also has a small amount ofcalcium; both phosphorus and calcium work together to fortify your teeth and bones.

Other Exotic Fruits in Pavones, Costa Rica

Water Apple

Biriba

Mangosteen

Pavones, Costa Rica – July 26th 2012

By admin | July 26, 2012

July 26th, 2012 – Pavones, Costa Rica

If you get to travel this way to Pavones this time of year you might be able to get your hands on a rare exotic fruit found here in Southern Costa Rica called Mangosteen (Scientific name is Garcina mangostana). Mangosteen has been regarded as one of the most delicious and best flavored fruits in the world. This fruit is believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas (Indonesia). Mangosteen has also been called “The Queen of Fruit” and the “food of the Gods” in some parts of the world.

It takes approximately 7-10 years for the mangosteen to bear fruit. Once the tree matures to its full growth (20 – 80 feet in height) it can yield on average up to 500 mangosteen fruits per harvest. The fruit itself has a purple rind with a juicy soft white flesh in 4-8 segments (edible part). The fruit in its entirety ranges from 2 to 3 inches in diameter, about the size of a tangerine. When the fruit is ripe, the rind becomes soft and can be opened by twisting the rind with your hands. Be careful because the rind can stain your hands purple.

In addition to its rich taste, mangosteen is also regarded as a super fruit and has been uses as medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. The fruit, fruit juice, rind, twig, and bark are used as medicine. Mangosteen is used for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidents, intestinal infections, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, cancer, osteoarthritis, menstual disorders and contains more than 40 xanthones. Check out this page for more health benefits of mangosteen.

In 2007 the United States lifted the ban on mangosteen to allow imports of this tropical fruit. But don’t be surprised to find this at just any grocery store and expect to pay up to $45/pound!

You can find these fruits at the Costa Rican/Panamanian border at certain fruit stands. If you’re lucky and meet the right people in town, they could get you some of this exotic fruit in Pavones. If you have an opportunity to get your hands on mangosteen, you must do so! It might be the best fruit you’ve ever tasted!

Pavones, Costa Rica – February 24th, 2012

By admin | February 24, 2012

February 24th, 2012 – Pavones, Costa Rica

One of the great perks of living in a tropical place such as Pavones, Costa Rica is being able to enjoy exotic fruits that surround us. There are so many different types of edible fruits that grow here, its unbelievable that most of them are unheard of in other parts of the world. One of my favorite fruits in the area is called Biriba (Rollina Mucosa). I’m even luckier to have one of these trees in my backyard.

This fruit has been said to have originated in the Amazon. The Bariba tree will grow anywhere from 4-15 meters in height and will start producing fruit after three years from planting its seeds. When read to be harvested, the fruit turns from green to yellow. In its pre-ripe green stage the fruit is a hard fruit and as it becomes ripe it softens up and turns yellow, kind of like a sponge. Its shelf live is short lived, after just about 2-3 days it turns black and starts to become spoiled. This is one of the reasons why it does not travel well and is not exported. The fruit itself is very distinguishable from its bumpy surface with soft spines. Its taste is awesome which can be described as a creamy mango-kiwi custard. Next time you come into town, ask one of the locals where you can try one of these great exotic fruits of Costa Rica!

Tag: Exotic Fruit in Costa Rica