Your large exotic fruit box selection contains more than just tropical delicacies: it is also a source of some of the original superfoods. Long before kale and chia seeds became trendy health foods, many exotic fruits have traditionally been used to support physical and mental wellbeing. Here’s a look at some ancient superfoods you might find this week.
Cherimoya
Cherimoya is sometimes called the ‘ice cream fruit’ because of its creamy texture and sweet flavour. As well as tasting delicious, it’s rich in vitamin C, magnesium, and antioxidants. It has traditionally been used to support good digestion and nervous system function.
To eat, you can simply halve the fruit and scoop out the flesh with a spoon, or use it as an ingredient in smoothies, desserts and sorbets.
Lulo (Naranjilla)
Lulo, also known as naranjilla, has a zesty flavour and is often used as an ingredient in juices and smoothies in its native continent of South America. It is dense in nutrients and beta-carotene, which is essential for supporting vision and eye health. It is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and has long been prized for its immunity boosting properties.
It’s a fruit that until recently has not been widely available outside of Columbia and Ecuador, but now the world is waking up to its benefits. It can be eaten raw, or used as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.
Cacao fruit
Cacao is the plant used to produce cocoa beans, but there’s more to it than chocolate. Peel back the vibrant red or yellow skin, and the fruit that surrounds the cacao beans has a sweet and citrusy flavour. It's also packed with magnesium, flavonoids, and mood-boosting compounds such as theobromine.
So, there you have it: examples of three exotic fruits that have proved over many centuries to nourish both body and soul.